Amber Jarvis (13) lives on the outskirts of Arrowtown with parents Linda and Steve Jarvis.
From term one next year, the year 9 pupil will be expected to travel on the district's expanded public transport service - a prospect she is not relishing.
''I think it is a silly idea. The buses are already really full. How is everyone going to fit?''
She also worries pupils could be late for school if connecting buses at Frankton bus shelter are delayed, or at capacity.
Amber, along with about 800 other high school pupils, will have to pay $1.50 per one-way journey.
The ruling will also apply to all primary school youngsters from term two next year, the ministry has confirmed.
Mrs Jarvis raised safety concerns.
''I don't like the thought of my daughter being on a public bus with random people.''
The revamped bus service, funded by Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council and the NZ Transport Agency, was initially pitched as a way of reducing congestion in Queenstown.
However, Mrs Jarvis is not convinced people will use the service, due to safety concerns, costs and logistics.
She thinks many parents, particularly those of primary school-aged children, will opt to drive instead.
That is what one Shotover Country family has already decided.
As of January, Theresa and Dean Swain will drop their three children at the school gates - Wakatipu High and St Joseph's.
Mrs Swain said it was down to cost and safety.
She also put it down to logistics.
''I just don't know how it is going to work or what the ministry is thinking ... it does concern me.
''I don't understand it in the slightest. It may work in a city but we are not a city.''
The Bailey family, who also live in Shotover Country, agree.
Twins Tom and Ollie move to Wakatipu High School next year, where big brother Alex is already a pupil.
Mother Fran said parents already had to pay for school fees, uniforms, computers, stationery and school camps.
She thinks the added cost, particularly for those families at the lower end of the income scale, will be a real strain.
'' I just don't think it has been thought through. From a financial point of view it is a disaster really - adding that [cost] to your week as well as everything else.''
The decision will also affect youngsters travelling into town from Arthurs Point.
Fiona Brabant is concerned the plans would mean her three children have to take three buses to get to school.
She does not think the new service will cope with the number of pupils using it.
It means her 16-year-old daughter Lily is likely to drive with younger brother Louis.
''So a bus rocks up at the school,'' Mrs Brabant said. ''There are going to be too many kids and not everyone will get on, so then they will be waiting. It is not a city. There isn't going to be a bus every 10 minutes.''
