Bus passes

Te Kamo Transport Network Group is making two changes to how our buses operate from 2026.

What's changing and when

Stage 1 - Student registration (from Term 2, 2026)

Every student travelling on a Te Kamo TNG bus will need to be registered before they ride. Registration is free and applies to every rider.

Stage 2 - Bus passes (from Term 3, 2026)

Our current ticketing arrangements will be replaced by a bus pass system. Registered students will be issued a pass - free for those whose travel is funded by the Ministry of Education, paid for those attending a more distant school.

Why we're making these changes

  • to manage capacity across the network and make sure every eligible student has a seat
  • to ensure that students required to pay a fare are doing so
  • to hold accurate, up-to-date records of every rider so we can respond quickly in an emergency and communicate directly with the right families when a service is disrupted.

Stage 1: Student registration

Every student who uses a Te Kamo TNG bus - whether on a free or paid pass - must be registered. There's no cost to register.

Registration captures:

  • student's name, year level and school
  • home address and assigned bus stop
  • caregiver contact details
  • any medical or behavioural information relevant to safe travel.

Parents and caregivers will complete registration through an online form. We'll confirm the assigned route and stop once the registration is processed.

Bus passes

Who needs a paid pass?

The Ministry of Education funds rural school bus services to support access to the nearest school a student can enrol at. Funding isn't intended to support choice of school.

  • Students travelling to their nearest school are entitled to a free bus pass.
  • Students travelling to a more distant school - including those attending Whangārei Girls' High School or Whangārei Boys' High School - are required to purchase a bus pass.
Pass options and fares

Four pass options are available each term:

  • Flexi bus pass - from $100
  • Morning bus pass - $150
  • Afternoon bus pass - $150
  • Daily bus pass - $250

The minimum term cost for a Te Kamo school bus is $100. Discounts apply for morning-only or afternoon-only travel, and for students who ride less frequently. Contact EasyBus if you have a question about fares.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my child need to register if they travel on a free pass?
Registration isn't about payment - it's about safety and service quality. We need accurate, current records of every student on our buses so we can communicate quickly with families, manage capacity, and account for every rider in an emergency.
My child catches two buses - which route do I choose?
Select the route that picks them up from home and drops them off at home.
I live in urban Whangārei and can't find the right bus.
Most urban students access transport through the Council's SchoolLink service. See buslink.co.nz for routes and timetables.
I've just registered my child - do we need to wait before they can ride?
No. Your child can start catching the bus straight away while the registration is being processed. Just check the route map to make sure your stop is listed and active.
Are casual bus passes available?
Not at this stage. It's a service we may be able to offer in the future.
My child won't use the bus every day - do I pay full price?
Discounted passes are available for morning-only, afternoon-only and less frequent riders. The minimum term cost is $100. Contact EasyBus to work out the right option.
Question about registration or a pass? Get in touch with EasyBus and we'll help.