STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOLS FROM 11^th MAY

Forster Buslines will be delivering bus services in accordance with Transport for NSW COVID-19 Precautions for Public Transport Services advice, issued on 7^th May 2020. This advice has been developed with regard to Safe Work Australia’s guidance for Public Transport.

Specifically in regard to school students and school services the following information is important;

• Social distancing does not apply to dedicated school services

• No school student will be left at a bus stop

Further, Forster Buslines will be encouraging social distancing on buses where patronage levels permit. The seats immediately behind the driver and adjacent to the driver will be isolated to minimise contact between the driver and passengers.

Additional cleaning has been introduced on buses since the outbreak of COVID-19. The additional measures include;

• Additional cleaning of all touch points including hand holds, stanchions, bell pushes and seat top rails prior to commencement of all shifts both in the morning and afternoon, with hospital grade disinfectant.
• Drivers will be carrying out additional cleaning during any layover.

Forster Buslines will continue to monitor processes and practices as students return in increased numbers. All advice from TfNSW will be strictly adhered to.

Please contact the office on 02 6554 6431 if you require any further information.

Forster Buslines wishes to advise our customers that ALL School and Regular Route Bus Services are currently operating as normal. 

Transport for NSW has been working closely with NSW Health and other Government Agencies to address the challenge of coronavirus (COVID-19) and support the containment efforts. Our priority is the safety of our customers and staff and the continuity of services to provide the public with access to vital goods and services.

Based on current information received from Transport for NSW, Buslines Group have implemented the following measures and actions across our operations:-

• In addition to our regular cleaning regime we will increase the cleaning of internal areas on the buses on a daily basis before the commencement of shifts (twice each day) and this will be done with Hospital Grade Disinfectant.
• Regular cleaning of the steering wheel, other driver controls and the driver’s area in general.
• Additional cleaning will also be carried out in the shared areas of the depot and office environment.
• Handling of cash is a necessary requirement of our business and drivers have been informed about being conscious of not transferring any contamination to the eyes or mouth. We have made gloves available to drivers, if preferred, when driving or cleaning. 

Buslines Group will continue to monitor information and advice received from Transport for NSW and NSW Health.

How to protect yourself and others

Practising good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently is crucial and this will protect you, fellow commuters and our staff.

Advice from Transport NSW and NSW Health:-

• Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
• We encourage any individual that feels ill to avoid travel

In addition Buslines Group would also like to encourage our passengers in the interest of ongoing health of our bus drivers to:-

• observe the recommended ‘social distancing’ protocols and leave a 1.5 metre buffer zone from drivers where possible. A “leave this seat vacated” notice has been placed on buses.
• tender the correct fare when boarding the bus.

Keep up-to-date with the latest information and advice about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at nsw.gov.au

In line with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), Transport for NSW have authorised changes to the bus fares provided by Rural and Regional Bus Operators in NSW which will be effective from 1 January 2020.

In Summary for 2020

• No change to the  Regional Excursion Daily (RED) of $2.50 
• No change to 1 to 2 Section Single Trip Adult fare (Fare Band 1) of $2.40 and the Child/Concession Fare of $1.20
• 3 to 6 Section Single Trip Adult fare (Fare Band 2) will increase to $3.60 and the Child/Concession Fare will increase to $1.80
• 7 to 15 Section Single Trip Adult fare (Fare Band 3) will increase to $5.10
• No change to the 7 to 15 Section Child/Concession Fare (Fare Band 3) of $2.50
• Those passengers travelling 16+ sections (Fare Bands 4-10) will have an increase from the current capped fare of $7.40 to the new capped fare of $7.60 and the Child/Concession Fare will increase to $3.80 this applies to Single Trip Fares Only
• Daily ticket fares will also increase which will allow unlimited daily travel.  The correct daily ticket value must be purchased for the longest single leg of travel.