Yes, any school student on their way to or from school can use these school services. However Metro and the service operator to reserve the right not to carry students from different schools if it causes undue disruption to the service.
No, these services are for school students only.
At any bus stop along the route. Students should signal the driver as the bus approaches. There are no express zones on school routes (e.g. the buses from the Waimakariri District will stop to pick up passengers along Papanui Rd/ Main North Rd if they are signalled).
Yes, please make sure you signal the bus so the driver knows to stop.
You can get off at any bus stops along the route. There are no express zones on school routes.
Please call Metroinfo on 03 366 88 55 who will put you in touch with the service operator to discuss waiting for location options.
Yes, you can use these cards or pay by cash. Normal Metro fares apply to these services. Please note Metro will not be issuing Cando cards in 2024. Students who have a 2023 card can continue to use it to pay for Metro services after the original card expiry date of May 2024. The 2023 cards will now be valid until we introduce the new National Ticketing Solution. We will provide more information on this change later in 2024.
It will have a yellow and black 'School' sign on the front and back, and the destination screen (above the front windscreen) will show the number of the service that is on the timetable. However, students should feel free to signal any service that approaches and check with the driver if they are unsure.
All school bus services are operated by Ritchies Ltd.
Please find our contact details here or ring Metroinfo on 03 366 88 55.
Information will be posted on the individual school service timetables, or you can call Metroinfo on 03 366 88 55.
Metro provides school buses for around two dozen schools in Christchurch. Rather than being provided as an alternative to the urban routes, the school services are provided to supplement the urban bus network in areas where it has been identified that public bus routes are being overwhelmed by demand from school students at the beginning and end of school hours.
