Travelling to school will cost more than enrolment for some south-west students after a long-standing fare change.
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Country families must pay between $480 and $1240 annually per child for bus travel if they are not enrolled at the school closest to their home.
An education department spokesman said Warrnambool School Network principals decided all new ineligible students, including new year 7s, would pay the fare.
Rosebrook’s Jill Gibson and Port Fairy’s Rachel Sholl enrolled children at Warrnambool College for 2016 and must pay the fee because they are not attending the nearest secondary school – Brauer College – which is five kilometres closer.
They were not notified when they enrolled their children weeks ago and plan to host a public meeting.
“We have friends with five kids, who live at Orford/Tarrone. That’s going to cost them $6000 a year. It’s a lot of money for a state school when the school fees are only about $600 or $700,” Mrs Sholl told The Standard.
Existing enrolled siblings are exempt.
The Warrnambool School Bus Network said in a letter dated September 15 the policy had not changed, but would be enforced. Those who refused to pay might be refused access.
Previously, some users were not asked to pay fares under an agreement between schools, the spokesman said.
He said inconsistent application of student eligibility criteria in the past had resulted in inequitable outcomes for families and schools.