Bus Transport

While our bus drivers do ensure that all students are buckled in and driven safely to their destination, be it home, an excursion to the aquarium or inter school sports, our team will also learn who kids are by name, crack a joke with them when they’re looking down and play the best tunes.

Hand-drawn illustration of a bus with three stars around it.
Six people standing in front of a bus, wearing black jackets with the MECS logo, smiling and laughing.

Private Bus Routes

MECS has 6 separate private bus routes to provide transport for students, travelling through the Croydon, East Ringwood, Boronia, Healesville, Cockatoo and Mt Dandenong areas.

The exact route of each bus is set at the start of each year, depending on where the students live, we travel along main roads using bus stops provided however, the general routes are:

  • Croydon route: Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park, Croydon, and Kilsyth

  • East Ringwood: Canterbury Rd, Bayswater Rd, East Ringwood Railway Station, Mt Dandenong Road

  • Boronia route: Montrose, Kilsyth South, Boronia, Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, and Knoxfield

  • Healesville route: travels along Maroondah Highway through Lilydale, Coldstream, Yarra Glen and on to Healesville.

  • Cockatoo: Silvan, Monbulk, Emerald, Macclesfield, and Cockatoo

  • Mt Dandenong: Olinda, Sassafras, Kallista and Monbulk

The MECS bus service is managed by RollCall, a school bus travel management system. RollCall utilizes advanced software technologies to enable the school to monitor buses on their routes, providing real-time updates on time, date, and location. This system also offers parents the ability to track their children’s journeys through the RollCall Parent App. Upon acceptance into our bus service, a bus card will be ordered for your child. Parents are then required to download the RollCall Parent App to manage their child’s bookings, which will be activated by our Bus Coordinator. Detailed instructions on using the app will be provided in the welcome email.

Due to increasing demand, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible to secure a spot, as we cannot guarantee positions for all students.

To apply for bus travel, or further information, please contact our Bus Coordinator at buses@mecs.vic.edu.au 

Warburton Bus Service

The Warburton bus service is a separate free service provided by the government and operated by Martyrs. It is available to students close to Warburton Highway and based on availability. To apply for position/s for this bus service, an Application for Permission to Travel form needs to be completed. This bus service is not available for casual bus travellers who are not approved.

Public Transport

Alternatives to the MECS Buses are the public buses that run from Lilydale to Belgrave, via Mt Evelyn and Monbulk. For times and stops see the ptv.vic.gov.au website.

From 1 January 2026: children aged 17 and under, can travel for free on public transport through a youth myki card. Once they turn 18 they may be able to travel with a Victorian Student Pass or a concession ticket. See Transport Victoria's myki types for how to apply.

FAQ’s

Accordion Example
What areas/ suburbs do your buses cover? +

MECS operates six private bus routes to transport students, covering the Croydon, East Ringwood, Boronia, Healesville, Cockatoo, and Mt Dandenong areas.

How do I register my child for bus travel? +

To register your child/ren for bus travel, please contact the Bus Coordinator, Lauren Kirkwood, at buses@mecs.vic.edu.au, who will assist you with bus route information. You will then receive a welcome email from RollCall to set up your bookings. Bus travelers use their Student ID cards to tap on and off the bus, allowing us to track travel and bill families accordingly. Casual bus travelers must make a booking through the school office or the Parent RollCall App (subject to availability).

Who is eligible to use the buses? +

While it is preferred that Prep students are accompanied by a sibling or family member, the bus service is available to all students.

What are the costs for bus travel? +

An annual bus pass is $690. This allows unlimited travel for the entire year and is billed in full at the beginning of the year through FACTS. Students are welcome to access our buses casually (based on availablity) and charged $5 per trip.

How do I pay for bus travel? +

Bus fees are billed through FACTS, your family's school fees account. Casual travel fees are charged at the end of each term.

Are there any discounts available? +

We offer a capped rate of $690 per child for full-time travel; no additional discounts are provided as we already offer an affordable rate.

How do I obtain a bus card for my child? +

Senior Secondary students receive their bus cards at the beginning of each year. All new bus travellers will receive a card upon registration. If a card needs to be replaced, students or parents should inquire at the Main Office. A replacement fee of $15 applies.

What happens if my child forgets their bus card? +

If your child forgets their bus card, they can still board the bus. They will need to inform the driver of their name, so they can be marked on and off manually. Please ensure the bus card is securely attached to your child's bag.

How can I check the bus routes and timetable? +

Bus timetables, including routes and stops, can be accessed via the Parent RollCall App. We recommend that your child arrives at their designated stop at least five minutes before their scheduled departure time.

Where do students catch the bus in the afternoon? +

Bus bays are located behind the Gym near the Senior Secondary area. A designated staff member accompanies Primary students each afternoon to direct them to their respective buses.

Whom should I contact regarding lost property on the bus? +

If your child loses an item on one of our bus routes, please email the Bus Coordinator, Lauren Kirkwood, at buses@mecs.vic.edu.au. She will coordinate with the bus drivers to assist you in retrieving the item.

What if my child misses their bus? +

If a student misses their bus, it is the responsibility of the parent to arrange alternative transporation to and from school.

What happens if the buses are delayed? +

We will make every effort to notify parents of delays via text message. Otherwise, we kindly ask for your patience and suggest waiting at the designated bus stop.