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About MCSTS
FAQ's
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Home
About MCSTS
FAQ's
Contact
Register
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You have completed the registration. Please wait for approval. 

Register

Please complete the registration form as accurately as you can by clicking the register button.

Wait for Approval

Give the administrator an opportunity to examine the details you've submitted and validate your application. Be sure to monitor your email inbox and also remember to look in your spam/junk folders.

Pay the Fee

If you have fees to pay, the email you receive will include the bank account details and the amount to pay.

Acknowledgement

You'll get a confirmation acknowledging the receipt of your payment and funds.

Information and Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information
The MCSTS is an organization formed by sixteen Mid Canterbury-based schools to coordinate and manage daily school bus services in the Mid Canterbury area.
The MCSTS is overseen by a Management Group comprising representatives from the involved schools. Day-to-day operations are handled by an administrator.
Enrollment and Fees

If this is the first time you are enrolling your child, please click here to register.

No, current enrollees do not need to re-enroll each year but must notify MCSTS of their intention to continue using the service.

The fee is $320 per year, divided into $80 per term. For Ashburton Intermediate School (AIS) Tinwald Express, the fee is $400 per year, or $100 per term.

Yes, due to fluctuating costs like fuel, fees may rise during the school year, affecting only the unpaid portion of the fees.

To make a direct payment to the Ashburton College Board of Trustees, please use the following bank details:

  • Account Name: Ashburton College Board of Trustees
  • Bank: BNZ Bank
  • Account Number: 02-0836-0074077-001

Ensure that all payments are clearly identified with the relevant information (such as the student's name or ID) to ensure proper allocation of your payment

Operating Procedures and Eligibility

Each school in Mid Canterbury has a Transport Eligibility Zone (TEZ) set by the Ministry of Education. The TEZ is typically the midpoint between schools on a county map. School buses must adhere to these TEZ guidelines and require permission to transport a student from another school's TEZ.

Eligibility varies: To be eligible for transport students must live, in Year 9 and above more than 4.8km, and students Year 1-8 more than 3.2km from their nearest school. Students can attend schools further away providing all criteria is met.
The allowance is for eligible students living more than 2.4 km from the nearest bus pick-up point. Eligibility is based on actual school days attended, as verified by the school principal.
Yes, under certain conditions and with proper permissions, students can attend schools outside their TEZ.
Special Circumstances and Allowances
They retain fully subsidized transport to their nearest suitable special character school, subject to certain conditions.
Eligible families living more than 2.4kms from the nearest bus pick-up point can apply for this allowance.
Special needs students can apply for a pro-rata transport assistance allowance through School Support Ltd.
Bus Usage and Rules

Unregistered students will be refused entry by the driver until they are officially enrolled with MCSTS.

The behavior rules for students on MCSTS buses are:

  1. Obey the driver's instructions without without question
  2. Remain seated for the entire journey
  3. Vaping/smoking/alcohol or any illegal substance is prohibited
  4. Respect property of the bus operator and other students at all times (this includes vandalism, pushing/verbal and physical bullying)
  5. Avoid any behavior that could put the driver or other students at risk
  6. Any damage caused to the bus will result in the students parent/caregiver being billed for the cost of repairs

Non-compliance can lead to temporary or permanent loss of bus privileges. MCSTS does not provide alternative transport for students with withdrawn privileges.

Contact and Additional Information

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