General Information - Student Travel

Travel on public transport or contract bus is available for students from most Geelong suburbs and surrounding districts. The cost of transport and eligibility for conveyance allowance are governed by the student’s place of residence.

Travel and Public Behaviour

Responsible behaviour is expected of students at all times. This is particularly important when traveling to and from school on buses. The traveling public and fellow students are to be treated with respect. Failure to meet these expectations may result in the loss of the right to travel on the bus and/or some other appropriate disciplinary action.
Students are to follow directions given by staff supervising the bus set down.
Appropriate behaviour and correct uniform are also expected of students walking to and from school or traveling by other means of transport. This also applies when students are in a public place e.g. supermarkets / shopping centres. We require parent support in this, as the College is judged by the way students appear and behave in public.

Bicycles

Students who ride bicycles to school must use the bike racks near the VCE building and are required to provide their own lock. As required by law, all bike riders must wear an approved safety helmet. Students riding bicycles are not required to wear their blazer while riding but are required to bring it to school in Terms 2 and 3.

Car

Students traveling by car should be dropped off and collected from near the Queens Road entrance. Please note that council regulations do not permit cars stopping on the school crossing or in areas where there are marked yellow lines - if you stop your car to allow passengers to exit or enter the vehicle, you are considered parked - and can be fined accordingly. Council Officers regularly patrol the area. To avoid fines and for the safety of our students, we recommend you follow simple common sense, if you would not park a car in a particular place, then you shouldn't stop there to pick up or drop off students.

Bus Travel

GEELONG REGION AREAS OUTSIDE 4.8km – INCLUDING BELLARINE AND THE SURFCOAST

If your son lives in one of the following suburbs AND the address is further than 4.8km (shortest practical route Bing Maps) from St Joseph’s College, you may be eligible to claim a conveyance refund from the Department of Education. The process to purchase a claimable Geelong Regional Student Pass (MYKI) for travel is outlined below.

1. Current students all receive a PTV approved student ID card, please take this with you when you purchase your son's Geelong Regional Student Pass.
2. If you are a new student to the College and do not have your PTV approved student ID card, a Public Transport Student Concession Form will be required to be completed. Public Transport Students Concession forms are available via the College office, train stations and www.ptv.vic.gov.au from around mid-January. The cost of the concession card is approximately $10, requires 2 passport sized photos and must be verified by College Reception prior to your Geelong Regional Student Pass purchase.
3. Purchase a Geelong Regional Student Pass – (Yearly or Half Yearly MYKI) from any train station. The cost of a yearly Geelong Regional Student Pass is approximately $360.
4. Complete a Student Conveyance Allowance Application. The Conveyance Allowance Application form can be downloaded via the link below:
   
   
   Conveyance Allowance Application Form 
   
   
   
5. The receipt of the Geelong Regional Student Pass (MYKI) and a Student Conveyance Allowance Application must be submitted to the College before a claim can be made. Funds received will be reimbursed to you via your school fee account. Claims cannot be made for the top-up or replacement of the MYKI.

Examples of Geelong Region areas:

*only some areas

AREAS WITHIN 4.8km

If your son will be traveling on the bus to school, you can purchase a yearly or half-yearly MYKI, as explained above. Unfortunately, there is no reimbursement available for travelers who reside within 4.8kms.

Alternatively, you may obtain a MYKI card and load money onto this card as needed.

If your son is 17 years or over he will also need to carry his student ID card or if new to the College, complete and purchase a Public Transport Student Concession card, in order for him to travel at a concession rate.

For information on the whereabouts of your nearest bus stop and pick-up/drop-off times, please contact the bus company which services your area:

McHarry’s Buslines www.mcharrys.com.au or call 5223 2111

CDC Victoria (formally Benders Buslines) www.cdcvictoria.com.au or call 5240 5000

COUNTRY AREAS

If your son lives in one of the following suburbs, you may be entitled to receive bus travel on a Government Contract Bus to and from school at no cost. A PTV Application for Permission to Travel – Eligible Students form must be completed and returned to the College. Download the PTV Application for Permission to Travel on the Country bus form below:

Bus passes are not issued for this travel.

Parents receive information about bus routes and times by email, from the regional co-ordinating school after their application for travel is processed.

Examples of country areas are:

If at any stage during your son’s enrolment at the College you have a change of address, the College must be notified immediately. New bus or conveyance forms will then need to be completed in order for your son to travel on the bus or claim conveyancing.

Please direct any further queries about bus conveyance to:
Lisa McDine at St Joseph’s on 5226 8124.

*Please note that the information provided is a guide only.

Bus Travel FAQ