Walking school buses
Walking school buses are a safe, active and healthy way for children to get to school. And they're energy efficient and pollution-free. Ask at your local school or council office if there is one that your child can join, or find out how to start one, below.
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What is a walking school bus?
A walking school bus is just as it sounds – an organised group of children walking to school together, with caregiver volunteers, the ‘drivers’. Volunteers pick up kids and drop them off at specific stops on a designated walking route.
Many caregivers drive children to school because of safety fears. Walking school bus groups are focused around your child’s safety and road safety awareness.
All the children are looked after by the volunteers, who ensure they arrive at school or their home stop safely.
How you and your child will benefit
- The daily exercise improves children's physical health and helps their memory, concentration and academic performance.
- Children learn good road sense.
- Children gain a sense of community and independence from their parent/caregiver in a safe setting.
- The parent/caregiver gets a good workout.
- The parent/caregiver saves money.
- A walking school bus is energy efficient and non-polluting alternative to car travel.
- Fewer cars around school entrances make the roads safer for children.
Take action
How to start a ‘walking bus’
Walking school buses need the support of schools, parents and caregivers to be successful.
Organising a meeting or putting a message in the school newsletter is a great way to start.
An enthusiastic coordinator and parent volunteers are the most important resources for making your walking school bus a success. One adult is needed for every eight kids.
Contact your local council and ask for the road safety department. They can sometimes help set up a walking school bus.
Find out what’s happening in your area
Land Transport New Zealand promotes the walking school bus initiative. It has compiled various resources for parents and school. Look on the websites listed below.
More information
Walking school bus guides
- How to set up a walking school bus, or a workplace or school travel plan. [Land Transport NZ website.]
- Travel to and from school [Land Transport NZ website.]
- Walk-to-school benefits and programmes [Land Transport NZ website. ]
Campaigns
- Feet First Walk to School Week 2008 [Land Transport NZ website.]
Regional initiatives
Check you local council website for walking school buses:
- Local council website directory. [Local Government NZ website.]
- Auckland funding and resources for walking school buses [ARTA Travel Wise website.]
- Christchurch walking/cycling to school [Christchurch City Council Travel Smarter website.]
- Hamilton walking school buses [Hamilton City Council website.]
- Nelson walking school buses current routes [Nelson City Council website.]