My year 13 Social Studies group would like to talk to Taranaki Regional Council to amend the Te Pahi public transport policy to provide free public bus transport for all school students travelling to and from school. 
Every student deserves equal access to education, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Many students in Taranaki rely on public buses to get to school, but daily fares can become a significant expense for families, particularly those with more than one child. While the Te Pahi policy currently provides discounted youth fares, students are still required to pay every time they travel. 
Under the current Te Pahi fare policy, youth aged 5–18 years receive discounted fares, with prices based on the number of fare zones travelled. For example: 

1 zone: $2.50 with a Bee Card ($3.50 cash) 
2 zones: $3.75 with a Bee Card ($4.80 cash) 
3 zones: $5.00 with a Bee Card ($6.10 cash) 
4 zones: $6.25 with a Bee Card ($7.40 cash) 

A student travelling from zone two, to and from school each day pays $7.50 per day, or approximately $37.50 each school week using a Bee Card. Over the course of a school year, this can amount to well over $1,500 for one student, but they are only catching 2 buses a day some may have to catch more, creating an unnecessary financial burden for many families. 

Making bus travel free for school students would: 
- Remove financial barriers that prevent students from attending school or participating in before- and after-school activities. 
- Reduce the cost of living for Taranaki families. 
- Encourage more students to use public transport rather than travelling in private vehicles. 
- Reduce traffic congestion and improve safety around schools. 
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions by increasing public transport use. 
- Support the values of equity, accessibility and equal educational opportunities for all students. 

The Te Pahi policy already recognises the importance of affordable transport by providing concessions for young people, Community Connect card holders, SuperGold card holders and free travel for some tertiary students on specific routes. Expanding this support to include free travel for all school students would build on these existing initiatives and ensure that no student misses out on education because of transport costs. 

Our goal is to create a fairer and more accessible public transport system where every student in Taranaki can travel to school safely, reliably and free of charge. Investing in free student bus travel is an investment in education, environmental sustainability and the future of our community. Join us in calling the Taranaki Regional Council and the Te Pahi Bus policy  to make student bus travel in Taranaki an investment in our children’s education and the community’s future. Let's ensure every child has access to reliable and free school transportation and school education. Please sign this petition to make a difference in the lives of Taranaki students.