Term 2 Bus Registrations: Important changes
Pymble regularly reviews our services in response to parent feedback, to improve efficiencies and minimise our energy consumption in line with our College sustainability goals.
As such, we are pleased to announce two new trial bus services for the Northern Beaches in Term 2. These services will be shared between Pymble, Barker College and Abbotsleigh. If successful, we envisage that the two additional transport options will be made permanent.
There are no changes to Bus Routes 1, 2 and 3
Changes for Bus 4 and Bus 5
1. Introduction of a new Early AM and Evening Bus Service
Introduction of two new services along the Northern Beaches (Bus 4) route, which will be shared between Pymble, Barker College and Abbotsleigh:
(a) an Early AM bus, arriving at the College at 6.41am
(b) an Evening bus, departing the College at 5.00pm (departure at 5.10pm on Monday evenings)
2. Introduction of a shared-service model with local schools
Our existing Bus 4 on the Northern Beaches route will become a shared service between Pymble, Barker College and Abbotsleigh from Avalon to Austlink in Belrose. From there, Pymble students will transfer to Bus 5 which will then make its way to the College. The arrival time of 8.00am remains unchanged.
A similar transfer will apply to the regular afternoon route departing the College at 3.35pm.
3. Changes to stops on Lower Northern Beaches route (Bus 5)
We have also taken this opportunity to review our Lower Northern Beaches bus route (Bus 5) and amended some of our stops based on usage and demand, including the introduction of a bus stop at the Fairlight shops.
4. St Ives bus stops now changed from Bus 4 to Bus 5 on the regular morning and afternoon routes
Finally, our existing St Ives stops will move from Northern Beaches Bus 4 to Lower Northern Beaches Bus 5 on the regular morning and afternoon routes. Please note that for the new Early AM and Evening service, students for St Ives will board Bus 4.
Please refer to the full timetable here.
Who will be affected by these changes?
The changes will only impact families who currently use, or would like to use, the Northern Beaches service (Bus 4) and the Lower Northern Beaches service (Bus 5).
How will the new shared bus service work?
In the mornings, students on the regular Northern Beaches Bus 4 will disembark at Austlink in Belrose where they will make a simple transfer onto the Lower Northern Beaches Bus 5, bringing all students to Pymble.
In the afternoons, students for both Bus Route 4 and 5 will board Lower Northern Beaches Bus 5. The bus will stop at Austlink in Belrose where Northern Beaches Bus 4 passengers will transfer onto the shared Pymble, Barker and Abbotsleigh bus towards Avalon.
Please note CDC Charters will provide a marshal at the Austlink stop to ensure that all students are safely transferred onto the correct buses. Students will also remain seated on the first bus until their connecting bus arrives.
In addition, CDC Charters will provide a marshal onboard the shared bus services in the first week of Term 2 to ensure that the trip runs smoothly as students adjust to the shared services.
The new early morning and evening services will start and finish their journey at Pymble, via Abbotsleigh and Barker College to and from Avalon. There will be no transfer at Austlink on these services.
What does the new shared bus look like?
The new shared bus is a coach similar to the standard Pymble-branded buses. It is white in colour with the Pymble, Barker and Abbotsleigh logos emblazoned on the side.
An image is included below.
How will the early morning/evening service work?
The early AM bus will depart Avalon at 5.50am and arrive at Pymble at 6.41am. It will then continue to drop students off at Abbotsleigh and Barker College. This service will have a co-branded bus with signage of all three schools.
The evening service will depart Pymble at 5.00pm (departure from Pymble at 5.10pm on Monday evenings) before making its way to Avalon via Abbotsleigh and Barker College. It is scheduled to arrive at the last stop at 6.30pm (or 6.45pm on Monday evenings). This will also be a co-branded bus.
Please refer to our website for more information.
What will the cost be for these changed services?
As we have been able to consolidate and share resources and costs with Abbotsleigh and Barker College, we have managed to keep registration fees at the current price of $430 per term for our Term Registrations and $7.50 per trip for Flexible Registrations.
When can I register my daughter for Term 2?
Term 2 bus registrations are open now.
While CDC Charters has advised that all current bus users across the three schools will be accommodated, we encourage you to only select the days your daughter/s will need to catch the bus so that we can accommodate as many families as possible.
We also encourage you to register early to avoid disappointment, as spots on our bus services are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To view the changed timetables and to register, please click here.
Can I register my daughter for a combination of the Early AM/Evening and regular Northern Beaches bus service?
Yes, but seats will be limited, and we encourage all parents to only select the days and times your daughter will definitely need to catch the bus so that we can accommodate as many families as possible.
What if I cannot register my daughter for all the days/times she needs?
You will have the option to register for the waitlist if your preferred days/times are not available. We will then contact you as soon as a seat becomes available
What if my requirements change throughout the term?
You may log in to the registration form through the MyPymble parent portal at any point throughout the term to change your required days. Please keep this information accurate to ensure that we can accommodate as many families as possible. Please note that you may only cancel full-term registrations in the first week of term.
I want to register my daughter for St Ives bus stops. Which bus do I choose?
Our St Ives stops will move from Bus 4 to Bus 5 on the regular routes. Please select Bus 5 on the registration form for St Ives stops.
To register for our Early AM and Evening services, St Ives stops will remain on the Bus 4 route.
If you would like to register your daughter to travel to/from St Ives on both the regular routes (Bus 5) and the new early AM/Evening routes (Bus 4), please register for one and contact collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for assistance to add the additional service to your registration.
Please do not hesitate to contact College Services if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College.