Frequently Asked Questions
1. Applications
Q: When is the closing date for applications?
A: At the end of November.
Q: Do current members need to reapply?
A: Yes. Membership is not automatically renewed. Every member must reapply each year.
Q: Will current members get preference?
A: Yes, for two weeks after the applications open. After that, applications are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications are done online.
Q: Can my child share or borrow a bus pass?
A: No. Bus passes are not transferable. Each learner must use their own allocated bus pass.
2. Fees
Q: What payment options are available?
• Annual upfront EFT (discounted if paid by 1 Dec 2025)
• Termly EFT payments: 1 Dec, 1 Mar, 1 Jun, 1 Sep.
Q: What reference must I use on payments?
A: Scholar’s surname and first name, e.g., JORDAN Sarah
Q: What happens if a scheduled payment is set up incorrectly?
A: You are liable for any bank charges resulting from incorrect or duplicate payments.
3. Routes & Daily Use
Q: Must I inform the office if my child is not using the bus on a particular day?
A: No. Parents do not need to notify us daily.
Q: Can my child use any bus after school or for sport?
A: No. Learners must use the bus/sport bus to which they are allocated.
Q: Can parents apply for different morning pick-up options?
A: No.
Q: Are ad-hoc, hostel, exchange, or exam passenger requests allowed?
A: No.
Q: How will I know the bus combinations?
A: Daily updates are sent to parents via WhatsApp after departures.
Q: How will I receive the weekly bus schedule?
A: The bus schedule for the upcoming week is distributed every Friday via email and WhatsApp, including departure times for afternoon school buses and sports buses.
Q: How can I receive important bus updates via WhatsApp?
A: Save our office number, 066 586 6621, in your contacts to receive important WhatsApp broadcasts.
Q: Are Croydon stops covered?
A: Yes, except for the 16:45 and 17:30 sport buses.
Q: When must my child arrive at the bus stop?
A: At least 5 minutes before departure. Times on the schedule are departure times.
Q: Can I cancel membership during the year?
A: No. Buses are contracted for a full year; fees remain payable.
Q: Are there special cases where cancellation may be considered?
A: Yes, only if you move residence or change schools (proof required).
Q: What if my child joins a lift club, hostel, or gets a driver’s license?
A: These do not qualify for cancellation. Fees remain payable.
Q: How much notice must I give to cancel membership?
A: One full term’s written notice, as per the constitution.
Q: How important is the bus pass?
A: Essential. Learners must present their pass to the driver on every trip. No pass = no entry.
Q: What if a bus pass is lost or damaged?
A: Report immediately to the SWBFA office. Replacement cost: R80.
Q: Can a bus pass be confiscated?
A: Yes, if SWBFA rules are broken or fees are unpaid.
Q: How are matrics accommodated during exams (prelim and NSC)?
A: A special matric bus runs only for morning exam sessions (Single Sport Bus Route). Afternoon exam learners must use the normal scheduled buses.
Q: What about Saturday exams?
A: Parents must arrange their own transport.
Q: Who is responsible for lost items?
A: Parents/learners. Elwierda & SWBFA are not liable.
Q: Where must lost property be collected?
A: At the SWBFA office during office hours: Monday–Thursday 07:00–16:00, Friday 07:00–14:30 (not from drivers).
Q: Is there a cost?
A: Yes, R40 per item.
Q: What happens to unclaimed items?
A: Donated to charity after each term.
4. Behaviour & Discipline
Q: What behaviour is expected from learners on the bus?
A: SWBFA has clear Bus Rules that every learner must follow. These rules can be downloaded from our website.
Q: What happens if rules are broken?
A: The SWBFA Discipline Policy applies. For more serious incidents, the following steps will be followed before any decisions are made:
• Written statements will be obtained from all parties involved.
• Reports will be requested from the bus captains.
• The committee will review all relevant information and decide on the appropriate action based on the specific circumstances.
• Only after a decision has been made will the matter be referred to the school, with a formal report and request for their involvement
Q: What is the role of bus captains?
A: Bus captains wear badges to identify themselves, maintain discipline, protect learners from intimidation, ensure that bus rules are followed, and assist learners who need help.
Q: How can concerns be reported?
A: Learners can speak directly to bus captains, who will inform SWBFA. Parents can also contact SWBFA directly by email or phone.
5. Safety
Q: How is safety managed on the buses?
• CCTV cameras on all buses
• Learners must follow driver instructions
• No boarding/disembarking outside official stops
Q: Are there safety rules for learners on the bus?
A: Yes. All learners must follow the SWBFA & Elwierda Safety Protocols. The document explains the rules and safety measures and parents/learners can download it from the SWBFA website.
Q: What happens if a bus breaks down?
A: A replacement bus will be sent immediately. Learners on the affected bus must remain seated until instructed by the driver. Morning learners waiting at pick-up points must stay at their designated stops. Elwierda will ensure all stops are covered asap.
Q: What should learners do in an emergency or breakdown?
A: Stay calm, remain seated and follow instructions from the driver.
Q: Should parents fetch their children during an emergency/breakdown/delay?
A: No. Learners must wait calmly for instructions from Elwierda. This ensures safety and efficient completion of routes.
Q: Will schools/parents be informed of breakdowns/delays?
A: Yes. Parents are updated via WhatsApp; affected schools are informed by email and phone.
1. Applications
Q: When is the closing date for applications?
A: ____October 2025.
Q: Do current members need to reapply?
A: Yes. Membership is not automatically renewed. Every member must reapply each year.
Q: Will current members get preference?
A: Yes, until ___________. After that, applications are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Applications are done online.
Q: Can my child share or borrow a bus pass?
A: No. Bus passes are not transferable. Each learner must use their own allocated bus pass.
2. Fees
Q: What payment options are available?
• Annual upfront EFT (discounted if paid by 1 Dec 2025)
• Termly EFT payments: 1 Dec 2025, 1 Mar 2026, 1 Jun 2026, 1 Sep 2026
Q: What reference must I use on payments?
A: Scholar’s surname and first name, e.g., JORDAN Sarah
Q: What happens if a scheduled payment is set up incorrectly?
A: You are liable for any bank charges resulting from incorrect or duplicate payments.
3. Routes & Daily Use
Q: Must I inform the office if my child is not using the bus on a particular day?
A: No. Parents do not need to notify us daily.
Q: Can my child use any bus after school or for sport?
A: No. Learners must use the bus/sport bus to which they are allocated.
Q: Can parents apply for different morning pick-up options?
A: No.
Q: Are ad-hoc, hostel, exchange, or exam passenger requests allowed?
A: No.
Q: How will I know the bus combinations?
A: Daily updates are sent to parents via WhatsApp after departures.
Q: How will I receive the weekly bus schedule?
A: The bus schedule for the upcoming week is distributed every Friday via email and WhatsApp, including departure times for afternoon school buses and sports buses.
Q: How can I receive important bus updates via WhatsApp?
A: Save our office number, 066 586 6621, in your contacts to receive important WhatsApp broadcasts.
Q: Are Croydon stops covered?
A: Yes, except for the 16:45 and 17:30 sport buses.
Q: When must my child arrive at the bus stop?
A: At least 5 minutes before departure. Times on the schedule are departure times.
Q: Can I cancel membership during the year?
A: No. Buses are contracted for a full year; fees remain payable.
Q: Are there special cases where cancellation may be considered?
A: Yes, only if you move residence or change schools (proof required).
Q: What if my child joins a lift club, hostel, or gets a driver’s license?
A: These do not qualify for cancellation. Fees remain payable.
Q: How much notice must I give to cancel membership?
A: One full term’s written notice, as per the constitution.
Q: How important is the bus pass?
A: Essential. Learners must present their pass to the driver on every trip. No pass = no entry.
Q: What if a bus pass is lost or damaged?
A: Report immediately to the SWBFA office. Replacement cost: R80.
Q: Can a bus pass be confiscated?
A: Yes, if SWBFA rules are broken or fees are unpaid.
Q: How are matrics accommodated during exams (prelim and NSC)?
A: A special matric bus runs only for morning exam sessions (Single Sport Bus Route). Afternoon exam learners must use the normal scheduled buses.
Q: What about Saturday exams?
A: Parents must arrange their own transport.
Q: Who is responsible for lost items?
A: Parents/learners. Elwierda & SWBFA are not liable.
Q: Where must lost property be collected?
A: At the SWBFA office during office hours: Monday–Thursday 07:00–16:00, Friday 07:00–14:30 (not from drivers).
Q: Is there a cost?
A: Yes, R20 per item.
Q: What happens to unclaimed items?
A: Donated to charity after each term.
4. Behaviour & Discipline
Q: Q: What behaviour is expected from learners on the bus?
A: SWBFA has clear Bus Rules that every learner must follow. These rules can be downloaded from our website.
Q: What happens if rules are broken?
A: The SWBFA Discipline Policy applies. For more serious incidents, the following steps will be followed before any decisions are made:
• Written statements will be obtained from all parties involved.
• Reports will be requested from the bus captains.
• The committee will review all relevant information and decide on the appropriate action based on the specific circumstances.
• Only after a decision has been made will the matter be referred to the school, with a formal report and request for their involvement
Q: What is the role of bus captains?
A: Bus captains wear badges to identify themselves, maintain discipline, protect learners from intimidation, ensure that bus rules are followed, and assist learners who need help.
Q: How can concerns be reported?
A: Learners can speak directly to bus captains, who will inform SWBFA. Parents can also contact SWBFA directly by email or phone.
5. Safety
Q: How is safety managed on the buses?
• CCTV cameras on all buses
• Learners must follow driver instructions
• No boarding/disembarking outside official stops
Q: Are there safety rules for learners on the bus?
A: Yes. All learners must follow the SWBFA & Elwierda Safety Protocols. The document explains the rules and safety measures and parents/learners can download it from the SWBFA website.
Q: What happens if a bus breaks down?
A: A replacement bus will be sent immediately. Learners on the affected bus must remain seated until instructed by the driver. Morning learners waiting at pick-up points must stay at their designated stops. Elwierda will ensure all stops are covered asap.
Q: What should learners do in an emergency or breakdown?
A: Stay calm, remain seated and follow instructions from the driver.
Q: Should parents fetch their children during an emergency/breakdown/delay?
A: No. Learners must wait calmly for instructions from Elwierda. This ensures safety and efficient completion of routes.
Q: Will schools/parents be informed of breakdowns/delays?
A: Yes. Parents are updated via WhatsApp; affected schools are informed by email and phone.