23 Dec 2015 Myrtleford Times, Myrtleford VIC (General News) SCHOOL bus fares for school children will be capped next year. Northern Victoria upper house member Jaclyn Symes said that the complicated system of bus fares affecting thousands of families in regional Victoria will have a single fare for travel. At present students not attending their closest government or nongovernment denominational school pay annual bus fares ranging from $480 to $1240, depending on the distance travelled. From 2016, these students will be able to travel at a reduced rate of $480 per annum. This reduction in fares will enable greater choice in selecting schools and transport options for families and lighten the workload on school administrators. The improvements announced today do not affect families eligible for free bus travel. The reduction of bus fares will be welcomed by thousands of families across country Victoria, Ms Symes said. Not only will it save many of them money, it will allow more families to access the School Bus Program to get to and from school. Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)