Travelling to school
With 19 urban routes crossing Hamilton City, most schools are either on a bus route or just a short walk away.
Whenever you travel in the city, you can transfer onto another bus for free within half an hour. Find your easiest route to school on our Journey Planner, or use the free Transit app.
Buses can be busy, especially at the end of the school day, so make sure to look into all the possible routes you can take to get to and from school. Visit us at the BUSIT counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre counter for expert travel advice.
Watch the video below for more information on bussing to school.
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School Route/s Berkley Normal Middle School Crawshaw School - M Meteor (hop on/off at Lloyd Dr)
Fairfield College Fairfield Intermediate - 4N Flagstaff North (hop on/off outside St Pauls Collegiate or further along Peachgrove Rd)
- 11 Fairfield
- RC Rototuna Circular (hop on/off on Clarkin Rd)
- O Orbiter (hop on/off outside St Pauls Collegiate or further along Peachgrove Rd)
Fraser High School Hamilton Boys High School - 4N Flagstaff North
- 13 University
- O Orbiter
- 21 Northern Connector (school assist - limited trips)
- 23 Raglan (school assist - limited trips)
- 24 Te Awamutu (school assist - limited trips)
Hamilton Christian School Hamilton Girls High School - Hop on/off any bus that terminates at the Hamilton Transport Centre on Bryce St.
Hamilton Junior High School - 1 Pukete (hop on/off at Sandwich Rd)
- 18 Te Rapa (hop on/off at Bryant Rd)
Hamilton North School - 1 Pukete (hop on/off at Sandwich Rd)
- 18 Te Rapa (hop on/off at Bryant Rd)
Hamilton West School - 12 Fitzroy (hop on/off at Palmerston St)
- O Orbiter (hop on/off at Palmerston St)
- C Comet (hop on/off at Pembroke St)
- 24 Te Awamutu (hop on/off at Pembroke St)
Hillcrest High School Maeroa Intermediate - 9 Nawton (hop on/off at Rimu St)
- 18 Te Rapa (hop on/off at Maeroa Rd)
Mangakootukutuku College - 12 Fitzroy (hop on/off on Ohaupo Rd)
- C Comet (hop on/off on Ohaupo Rd)
Marian Catholic School - O Orbiter
- M Meteor (hop on/off at Clyde St)
- 4N Flagstaff North
- 10 Hillcrest (hop on/off at Grey St)
- 17 Hamilton Gardens/Uni (hop on/off at Grey St)
- 20 Cambridge
- 21 Northern Connector (limited trips)
- 22 Eastern Connector
- 23 Raglan (limited trips)
Nga Taiatea Wharekura Peachgrove Intermediate Rhode Street School - 3 Dinsdale (hop on/off at Killarney Rd)
- O Orbiter (hop on/off at Killarney Rd)
- 19 Bremworth/Temple View (hop on/off at Duke St)
Rototuna High School - 4 Flagstaff
- 4N Flagstaff North (hop on/off at Borman Rd or Moonlight Dr)
- 16 Rototuna
- RC Rototuna Circular
Sacred Heart Girls College - O Orbiter
- M Meteor (hop on/off at Clyde St)
- 4N Flagstaff North
- 10 Hillcrest (hop on/off at Grey St)
- 17 Hamilton Gardens/Uni (hop on/off at Grey St)
- 20 Cambridge
- 21 Northern Connector (limited trips)
- 22 Eastern Connector
- 23 Raglan (limited trips)
St Johns College - O Orbiter
- M Meteor (hop on/off at Clyde St)
- 13 University (hop on/off Clyde St)
- 17 Hamilton Gardens/Uni (hop on/off at Grey St)
- 20 Cambridge
- 21 Northern Connector (hop on/off Clyde St) (limited trips)
- 22 Eastern Connector(hop on/off Clyde St)
- 23 Raglan assist
St Pauls Collegiate - 4 Flagstaff (hop on/off at Bankwood Rd)
- 4N Flagstaff North
- 16 Rototuna (hop on/off at Bankwood Rd)
- O Orbiter
South City Christian School - C Comet (hop on/off at Prisk St)
Southwell School - 4N Flagstaff North
- 14 Claudelands (hop on/off at Fifth Ave)
- O Orbiter
- 21 Northern Connector (school assist - limited trips)
- 24 Te Awamutu (school assist - limited trips)
St Columba's School - M Meteor (hop on/off at Massey St)
St Joseph's Catholic School - RC Rototuna Circular
- 4 Flagstaff (hop on/off at Heaphy Terrace)
- 16 Rototuna (hop on/off at Heaphy Terrace)
St Peter Chanel Catholic School - C Comet (hop on/off at Te Rapa Rd)
- 18 Te Rapa (hop on/off at Garnett Ave)
- 21 Northern Connector (hop on/off at Te Rapa Rd)
St Pius X School Tai Wananga - 4N Flagstaff North (hop on/off at Peachgrove Rd near East St)
- 14 Claudelands hop on/off at Fifth Ave or Howells Rd)
- O Orbiter (hop on/off at Ruakura Rd)
- 21 Northern Connector (hop on/off at Peachgrove Rd near East St) (limited trips)
- 23 Raglan (hop on/off at Peachgrove Rd near East St) (limited trips)
- 24 Te Awamutu (hop on/off at Peachgrove Rd near East St) (limited trips)
Te Kopuku High Te Rapa School Waikato Diocesan - 4 Flagstaff
- 5 Chartwell
- RC Rototuna Circular (hop on/off at Clarkin Rd or River Rd)
Waikato Waldorf School -
Catching the bus is a breeze once you give it a try! Here are some easy steps to help you!
1. Plan your journey
Use the Journey Planner, or Transit App to find the best way to from your home to school. Enter where you want to travel to and from and you'll get a list of options with bus routes, times and bus stop locations. Timetables and maps can be found online, or from the BUSIT counter at the Hamilton Transport Centre.2. Catching your bus
Some bus stops are used by more than one route, so as the bus approaches, check the route number and destination displayed on the front of the bus and then raise your arm to show the driver that you want the bus to stop.3. Paying for your ride
There are two fare options - Bee Card or cash. If you are using your Bee Card, make sure you tag on and off so you will be charged the lowest fare.4. On the bus
For your own safety and comfort, as well as those around you, please do not smoke/vape, eat, drink or play loud music on the bus.5. Hopping off the bus
Press the bell once, as you get close to the stop where you want to get off. Check you have all your belongings before you hop off and "tag off" if you're paying by Bee Card. If you're catching another bus, remember you have a free half hour transfer on weekdays and one hour on weekends!We always recommend doing a practice trip or two before school starts so you know exactly what to do.
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Bus better with Bee Card!
If you're going to use the bus regularly, your travel will be cheaper with Bee Card.
Fares are from $2.40 (within Hamilton City), with unlimited weekly travel within one zone costing just $15.60.
Bee Cards cost $5 to purchase with a minimum top of $5 as travel credit for paying your bus fares. Bee Cards can be purchased and topped up online at beecard.co.nz or from one of our retailers.
Top ups are not available on the bus.We recommend registering your card so if you lose it, we can transfer your balance to a new card. Also, enabling the 'Auto Top Up' feature means you will always have enough money to get to/from school.
When you go to use your Bee Card, remember you need to tag on and off the bus for the correct fare to be calculated. Failure to do so will mean you'll be charged a higher default fare.
Lost property
If you have lost an item on the bus, please call the team on 0800 205 305 to register your lost item or visit the BUSIT counter inside the Hamilton Transport Centre.
The BUSIT counter is open Monday-Friday from 8am-4.30pm for you to collect found items.
Unfortunately, not every item is handed in. If school uniform is branded and named, we endeavour to contact you through your school.
Lost property is held for one month before it is donated to charity, or disposed of responsibly.
Behaviour
Everyone deserves a friendly, clean, safe and comfortable journey. Treat others, the driver and the bus with respect.
When you're on the bus:
- No eating
- No drinking
- No feet on seats
- No smoking or vaping
- No loud music - use your headphones.
There is a formal code of conduct. You can read it here, and it's also displayed on the buses and at the Transport Centre.