Hi Stephanie  

Thank you for your question.  Please note that this response has been updated following new information received from State Transit.

In NSW the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) provides free public transport for many school students to travel between home and school.  If you have applied for bus travel through this scheme and have not been successful, your parents/guardians can lodge an appeal with Ministry of Transport for medical reasons.

According to information we have received from State Transit, for those students who have a medical problem there is an official "Appeals” procedure.  Firstly, the bus application form available from school is to be completed by your parents. Secondly a Ministry of Transport Medical Certificate available from school is required to be completed by both a parent and a Qualified Medical Practitioner. We would suggest your ask your Diabetes Specialist / Endocrinologist for assistance with this.

In NSW, both forms need to be sent direct to SSTS Ministry of Transport, Locked Bag 5085, Parramatta 2124. The ministry will reply by letter of the results of their adjudication.  If successful, the application form and copy of the letter will be sent to bus/rail operator for processing of pass(s) which are then processed and sent to school.

Depending on the Medical Practitioner and Ministry procedures, the Medical    Certificate may need to be renewed at the end of each approved period.  In which case, new medical certificate completed by Medical Practitioner / parent and quoting the reference number shown on the first letter of approval should be again sent to the Ministry of Transport well before the previous medical approval becomes out of date. Otherwise fares would need to be paid until new approval is received and new pass can be processed. Your nearest Ministry of Transport office can be found at the link below.

Diabetes Australia-NSW also provides a NSW State Transit bus card which was specifically made for children and adolescents with diabetes who may need to eat on the bus if they have a hypo, however, this is not the official bus pass you’re talking about.  Call 1300 136 588 to obtain this bus card.

If you’re having a hypo at the same time every day, you may need to adjust your insulin.  Are you doing sport or exercise just before you set off for home in the afternoon?  You may need to eat or drink something prior to, during and after the activity to last you until you get home.

We advise you to speak to someone at home and to your diabetes team.  They will be able to suggest changes to your insulin plan to help with this.  Sometimes when you start on a new regime, small adjustments may need to be made – ask your diabetes doctor or educator.

Links:

Ministry of Transport

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/contact/offices.html