ORC Implementation Lead Transport Julian Phillips said a route extension would enable the public transport network to service students travelling to and from KVC.

“We took a look at the existing routes and schedules and have come up with a plan to keep kids connected with a bit of help from our operators Go Bus and Ritchies,” Julian said.

“Talking to the operators, we were able to extend one service and ensure other services are linked up so that most students can get to and from the school by bus.

“Like other customers, they’ll have to use a Bee Card and tag on and off, and for many of them this will actually be cheaper.”

Julian and his team were approached by the high school to help them support students, particularly those from Green Island, to get to school using public transport.

Kaikorai Valley College Assistant Principal Mike Waterworth said it was a great result for the school and the community as a whole.

“We don’t want our students to lose their independence or for there to be more cars around the school,” he said.

“It’s also cheaper for students who get their Bee Cards and register them for the discount. For many students, having the card will also support them toward greater independence out of school hours, which is an added bonus.

“Our thanks to the team at the Otago Regional Council as well as the bus operators who have helped make it happen.”

The KVC school extension of two additional routes per day during term time will be fully funded by the Otago Regional Council.

KVC students travelling from Mosgiel or Green Island will benefit from the extension of an existing service to a stop near the school during term time. The route 70 originating in Brighton will depart the main Green Island bus stop across the road from memorial garden at 8:18am, as per the schedule, but will continue to Kaikorai Valley College direct without stopping, giving ample time to reach the school in most traffic situations.

This service will operate in the same way but the opposite direction in the afternoon, where students depart the stop near the school at 3:05. This will head toward Green Island arriving at 3:20pm for the connecting services to Brighton and Mosgiel.

Both the morning and afternoon extension will not change the schedule for existing customers.

A single child fare in either direction is $1.20 up to and including 18 years of age. Transfers are free within 45 minutes of tagging off one bus and onto another when using a Bee Card registered with a child concession, and all the exchanges are timed to be within 45 minutes.