What is STAS? The School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) is a state wide Government initiative, which provides school transport assistance to eligible students. Information on processes for eligibility is available from the Queensland Transport website. My children receive STAS assistance and then pay a 'top up' fare to travel to their school of choice. Is this still applicable? 'Top up' fares are still applicable. School students are required to pay 'top up' fares when they attend a school other than their nearest state school or non-state school. When did the current fares come into effect? Current STAS 'top up' fares have been effective since the start of the 2008 school year. Is transport assistance based on the TransLink zones? No. STAS assistance is based on the distance to a student's school. Who issues school travel passes? School travel passes are issued by the bus operators. On receipt of a letter of STAS eligibility from Queensland Transport, school students will need to call into the relevant bus operator to be issued with a school student pass. View TransLink operator contact details. How will the driver know what 'top up' fare level (if applicable) is required to be paid? At the time of issuing the STAS pass, your bus operator will also include details of the 'top up' fare level on the pass. Bus drivers then enter the fare level (1-14) into their ticketing machines which automatically calculate the 'top up' fare level. What do I do if my child has lost their school travel pass? Lost school travel passes should be reported to the relevant operator. They will then advise you how to get a replacement pass. What happens if my child catches a train to school? School students eligible for STAS and travelling by rail will have their passes issued by QR (notification is usually mailed out advising where to collect the pass). 'Top up' fares are not applicable to STAS eligible school students travelling by rail. Who do I contact if I have questions about STAS? You should contact your nearest Queensland Transport regional office below or visit the Queensland Transport website. Who do I contact if I have questions about 'top up' fares? If you have questions regarding 'top up' fares, please contact TransLink on 1800 772 617 or email translink@transport.qld.gov.au Are there any other travel concessions for school students? School students are entitled to discounted fares (approximately 50% of the full fare) when travelling on TransLink services. QR also offers school students a special ticket priced at 1/3 of the full fare. The ticket can only be used on trains (that is, not on buses or ferries). In both cases students must be in possession of a school student identification card. |
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