BUS SERVICES TO WAITĀKERE COLLEGE

ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE

Students must meet all 3 of the following eligibility criteria to get school transport assistance;

1. The school must be the closest school.
2. Be at least 4.8km from the school (from the roadside gate to the school front gate)
3. That there are no suitable public transport options within 2.4km (from both the roadside gate and the closest school)

Waitākere College is part of the West Auckland Cluster Bus Plan. A number of West Auckland Schools will be using the same buses and the funding for the bus routes is controlled by the Ministry of Education.

There is a transfer station at Starling Park in Ranui, where most students will have to change buses depending on the secondary school they attend.

The three routes available to Waitākere College students are:

Bethells:   M.O.E route number 1616

7.45 am McKay Pl, Bethells Rd, Right into Te Hunga Rd, Left into Scenic Drive via Swanson Rd, Left into Luanda Dr, Right into Waitemata Dr.

8.15 am Stop at Starling Park. Transfer to Scenic Drive Bus (1628), Continue on Waitemata Dr, Left into Swanson Rd, Left into Larnoch Rd, Right into Rathgar Rd, Left into Liston College.

Waitākere College students disembark.

3.25 pm Waitākere College, Liston College on Edwards Ave, Left into Rathgar Rd, Pick up at St. Dominics, Right into Swanson Rd via Scenic Dr, Right into Te Hunga Rd, Left into Bethells Rd, Finish at McKay Rd.    

Wairere:  M.O.E route number 1975 -

(Latest update 8/03/23 From Ritches "I can confirm that this route is now almost fully restored.
Duffy Rd is still unsuitable for vehicles so the route will go directly to Wairere Rd from Bethells Rd rather than going via Duffys Rd.
Otherwise, the route is now returned to normal.")

7.45 am Corner of Bethells and Duffy Rd, Left into Wairere Rd, Turn onto Jonkers Rd, Return to Wairere Rd, Left into Bethells Rd, Right into Anzac Valley Rd, Turn at Wendy Rd, Back down Anzac Valley Rd, Right into Bethells Rd, Right into Waitakere Rd, Left into Scenic Dr via Swanson Rd, Left into Luanda Dr, Right into Waitakere Dr.

8.15 am Stop at Starling Park. Transfer to Scenic Drive Bus (1628). Continue on Waitemata Dr, Left into Swanson Rd, Left into Larnoch Rd, Right into Rathgar Rd, and Left into Liston College-Waitākere College where students disembark.

3.25 pm Waitākere College, Liston College, Edwards Ave, Left into Rathgar Rd, Pick up St. Dominics, Right into Waitākere Rd, Left into Bethells Rd, Right into Wairere Rd, Turn at Jonkers Rd, Back along Wairere Rd, Right into Duffy Rd, Finish at Bethells and Duffy Roads Corner.  

Please note that there is now a charge for using this service of $3 per ride or $28 for 10 Trip concession card. The driver will accept cash and tickets can also be purchased from the Ritchies office Mon – Fri 4:30-9 pm with cash or EFTPOS.
There are several alternative transport options possible. Students can catch the following:

• Auckland Transport bus 146 from Waitākere train station which drops passengers at the end of Rathgar Road (Universal end).
• Auckland Transport bus 146 from Waitākere train station which drops off at Swanson train station and students can catch the train to Sturges Road.
• The Scenic Drive bus on Scenic Drive before it meets Te Henga Rd.

Scenic Drive:  M.O.E route number 1628

7.45 am Pick up from Te Henga Rd, Turn off (up to Mountain Rd), return to Scenic Dr via Swanson Rd, Right into Christian Rd, left into O’Neills Rd, Left onto Candia Rd, Left into Swanson Rd, Swanson Primary School, Left into Swanson Rd, Left into Luanda Dr, Right into Waitemata Dr.

8.15 am Stop at Starling Park, Continue on Waitemata Dr, Left into Swanson Rd, Left into Larnoch Rd, Right into Rathgar Rd, Left into Liston College-Waitākere College students disembark.

3.10 pm Waitākere College, Liston College, Edwards Ave, Left into Rathgar Rd, Pick up at St. Dominics, Right into Swanson Rd, Left into North Candia Rd, Right into O’Neills Rd, Right into Christian Rd, Left into Swanson Rd, Via Scenic Dr, Finish at Mountain Rd.

Click here for routes of these M.O.E buses.

Some students who catch these buses will be eligible for school transport assistance.

If the student is ineligible, they may be able to catch the bus if there is room.

We also have another school bus service available for Waitākere College students which is fare-paying but subsidised by Auckland Transport (AT):

West Harbour:   Route 050

Click here for the route.

Other public bus services in the area may be available; Go to Auckland Transport’s website: at.govt.nz
Click on their link Auckland Transport Journey Planner to plan your journey.

You may also download the AT mobile app for your electronic devices.

Travel by train is an alternative. Where possible, we encourage students to walk or ride their bike to school.

For cheaper fares go to AT website which has information on how to get a student AT HOP card.

Click here to view the cheapest fares with AT HOP.

For further information about our College buses, contact Reception on 8367890 Ext 810 or 813 or contact Ritches directly
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (09) 833 6053
After Hours Phone: 0275 331 702