WHITTLESEA Secondary College students will be hit with bus fares of more than $400 a year, despite riding in a vehicle marked “school bus”.
Public Transport Victoria has begun enforcing a rule to charge students on the bus which had been free “for years,” according to Dyson Buses director Shane Dyson.
The bus displayed school bus signs and carried only students.
A PTV spokeswoman said the bus was not subsidised and was for fare-paying customers only. The government body has asked The Dyson Group to check tickets.
Students affected lived to the south of the college in Laurimar, Epping, Mill Park and South Morang.
Yan Yean Labor MLA Danielle Green said that after complaints of overcrowding on the bus were made to the PTV it ruled that the long-standing school route was classified a fare-paying service.
“This has caused massive upset, especially to those who have multiple children attending the school, who are concerned about how they will fund this cost at short notice,” she said.
