Transport Notice

Getting to school by bus in 2025

Will your child be catching the bus to school next year? Applications are now open for a School Opal Card/Bus Travel Pass.  As it’s a busy time of year, we highly recommend you make this application before the end of the year. It’s also good to check the bus timetable to make your child’s journey to school as easy as possible.  

Here is how it works.

Bus passes

• All students catching the bus in 2025 will need a school travel pass.
• Under the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS), eligible students can apply for free or subsided travel between home and school.
• For more information about the School Student Transport Scheme and how to apply for a school travel pass, visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/ from a desktop computer.

Secondary Student Concession Card Request Forms 16yrs+

To be eligible for a concession card students must be 16 years or over and enrolled at Newcastle High School. Students 16yrs+ must travel with a valid ticket, either a valid School Opal card or Transport Concession Entitlement Card to be used in conjunction with a child/youth card, otherwise adult fare will need to be paid. Fines may be issued by Transport Officers for travelling using an invalid ticket.

Click School Concession Card Request to download an application form. Completed forms can be returned by email with the subject Transport to newcastle-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au. Alternatively students can collect and return form from the school library office.

If a student has been issued with a concession card and it has been damaged, lost or stolen you can request a replacement card using the Secondary Concession Card Replacement Application

Already know your transport operator find links for School Timetables here.

• Busways

Bus timetables:

• Busways is one of the school bus operator that runs your schools’ bus services. To find your child’s school bus timetable visit the Busways website by using the following steps:
• Go to busways.com.au/nsw 
• Click on ‘school services’ in the navigation bar and then proceed to ‘school timetables’
• Enter the school’s name in the field that says ‘enter a school name’
• Select the school’s name and the timetable should open on your device. If you are unable to find or search for the school’s name, use the drop-down menus on the same web page to find the school.
• Once the timetable is opened, you will be able to identify which school bus services are available in your area for your child to use.

• Hunter Valley Buses
• Port Stephens Coaches
• Newcastle Transport