The school bus fare structure is based on the following:

• Students using similar services, pay similar fares.
• All students who meet the criteria for the Student Bus Pass for Free Travel are eligible to travel free for 2 one way trips per day between home (or boarding residence) and school.
• Student and Adult Student fares apply on all buses at all times, not just going to and from school.

Student Fares

The student fares depend on where you are travelling to and from.

Click here to view Urban Area Maps

Students travelling within an urban area will pay:

• $1.20 for a single trip
• Bus operators provide discounts or additional travel credit for multiple ticket purchases.

For example, this fare will apply to students who travel to school within urban areas such as Kingston to Hobart or Youngtown to Newstead.

Students travelling into, or out of, an urban area will pay:

• 90 cents per trip. This is 75% of the Metro student fare.

For example, this fare will apply to students who travel from Westbury to Launceston.

Students who travel outside of an urban area to their local school:

• These students receive free travel.

For example, students travelling from Avoca to Campbell Town.

Students who travel using a town bus service, or travel beyond their local high school will pay:

• 90 cents per trip. This is 75% of the Metro student fare.

For example, this fare will apply to students travelling within Smithton using their town bus service or students travelling from Dover to Cygnet bypassing their local school.

What is defined as an urban area?

There are 4 urban areas Tasmania. These areas determine the school bus fare to be paid.

To find out if you will be travelling within or outside an urban area, Click here to view Urban Area Maps.

If you need to catch 2 buses

Child students (up to and including the school year in which they turn 18) who need to transfer from one fare charging bus service to another to complete their travel between home (or boarding residence) and school are eligible for a free Transfer Pass. Students only need to pay one fare to get to school or return home.

Age limits for Student Fares

Full-time Senior Secondary College, Australian Technical College, University, Academy and Polytechnic students are eligible for the student fare up to, and including the school year in which they turn 18.

Adult Student Fare

The Adult Student fare is available to full-time students from the year in which they turn 19 years of age and over, attending:

• Senior Secondary College
• Academy, Polytechnic
• The Australian Technical College  
• University

The Adult Student fare is the standard adult concession fare, which is up to 50% of the full fare.

Student Bus Passes for Free Travel

A student is eligible for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel to and from their school up to, and including the year in which they turn 18 years of age. They must also be attending full-time classes at a recognised:

• Primary or secondary school
• Senior secondary college
• Special education facility
• Academy, Polytechnic
• Australian Technical College
• University

AND is:

• Listed as a dependent of a person holding a current concession card*, or holds a concession card in their own right, or
• The third and subsequent student in any family where there are three or more students travelling to a recognised school by bus on a fare charging service, or
• A student under a care and protection order.

*A concession card means:

• a Pensioner Concession Card,
• a Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or
• a Health Care Card.

How to apply for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel or free Transfer Pass.

Students can apply online by going to www.transport.tas.gov.au

Under Passenger Forms choose Student Bus Pass Online Application System

Students unable to apply online can obtain a paper application from any Service Tasmania outlet.

Bus Operator Guidelines

For bus operator guidelines go to Operator Information or Operator Forms.

To view these PDF files indicated by the  icon you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have a copy you can download a version directly from Adobe by following this link