Shepparton students will continue to receive free bus travel in 2022 as they transition to their new world-class secondary college, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
The free bus travel extension will be available to Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) students who currently use the School Bus Program as well as those new to the program.
Government secondary school students currently travelling on public transport to the new college site will also continue to have ticket costs fully reimbursed through the Conveyance Allowance Program in 2022.
In addition, GSSC students who live within 4.8km of the new college will be eligible for the free bus travel ─ an added benefit which will support an estimated 55 per cent of students.
The School Bus Program started in 2020, with over 1,600 GSSC students using the program in 2021. The extension of the program into 2022 is expected to assist more than 1,700 GSSC students.
Construction of Greater Shepparton Secondary College is now entering its final months with the new college on track to open in time for the start of the 2022 school year.
Lifting education outcomes in Shepparton is a key focus for the Victorian Government with $140 million already invested into the Shepparton Education Plan.
As stated by Minister for Education James Merlino
"Extending the free bus travel program for the first operational year of the new Greater Shepparton Secondary College is our way of continuing the support for students and their families during this transitional period."
"This new college is one of the most important education projects ever seen in this region and we want to ensure that the children and young people of Shepparton and Mooroopna have the best opportunities to access and enjoy these facilities."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"We are delivering transformational change and investing in Greater Shepparton's young people to boost their educational outcomes and improve their opportunities in life."
