Students planning to use Tauranga's Schoolhopper network in 2016 are reminded to check their bus routes online before they leave for their first day at school.

Schoolhopper services will resume for the 2016 school year on Tuesday, February 2. The start date of individual routes will depend on the start dates of the schools they service.

Tauranga's Schoolhopper network services resume for the 2016 school year on February 2. Photo: file.

Based on feedback from users, the bus companies and schools, minor changes have been made to some routes in a bid to improve the network.

Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor and public transport subcommittee chairperson, Lyall Thurston, says Schoolhopper users should also be aware of a fare increase on the network, approved by the regional council last November.

The increase, from $1.15 to $1.51 for people using a Smartride Card and from $1.60 to $1.90 for a cash fare, will take place from Tuesday, February 2.

Lyall says the change means the student fare will be standard across the Tauranga urban Bayhopper and Schoolhopper networks.

'The increase has been made in line with other increases that occurred across the region on our networks last year, and follows the regional policy for setting fares.”

Smartride cards are available from drivers on the bus, or from the iSite on Willow Street. They cost $10 which covers the cost of the initial credit on the card. Each card comes with $10 already loaded on them.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council manages the Schoolhopper network in Tauranga, providing a dedicated school bus network to 17 schools of 51 routes.

Other dedicated school bus services are provided by the Ministry of Education (rural school bus routes and Special Education School Transport Assistance) and the Tauranga Network Group.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has also updated its Baybus website www.baybus.co.nz to make it easier for people to find information about their routes.