Students are being asked to make use of Government-provided school buses or risk having the service cut back. The Ministry of Tourism and Transport launched a public appeal yesterday following "ongoing public complaints" of students crowding buses and the Hamilton terminal during peak times.

A Ministry spokesperson said residents have expressed annoyance at the crowds of children, "many of whom have gathered just to socialise".

"We are looking for the public's cooperation on this matter. It is really up to parents to encourage their children not to come into Hamilton after school but rather to take the school bus and go home. In these circumstances, it is difficult to continue to justify the provision of underutilised equipment. However the Ministry will continue to assess school usage and should the underutilisation of dedicated school buses situation persist, adjustments to the school bus programme may be required."