Walking School Bus

 

What is the Walking School Bus?

  • It is a fun, safe and active way for children to travel to school.
  • Two volunteers walk along a set route to the school picking up children along the way.
  • A walking school bus timetable is established so that children and their parents know when to arrive at their "bus stop" or "pick-up point".
  • If a child is late to their pick-up point, they miss the bus!
  • The service is free.
  • Walking School Buses operate as frequently as volunteers are available to lead it
  • Ideal routes are up to 1.5 kilometres long.
  • All walking routes are checked for safety.
  • All volunteers undergo a police check.
  • Children are welcome to participate on a Walking School Bus, regardless of whether their parents are able to volunteer or not.

What are the major aims of the Walking School Bus program?

  •  Health and Fitness
    - To increase children’s participation in regular physical activity by walking to school.

  • Sustainable Transport
    - To influence children’s and families awareness of travel behaviour and reduce reliance upon car travel to and from school;
    - To reduce the number of cars on the roads around the school and therefore create a safer environment for children.

  • Environmental
    - To provide a safe, non-polluting and convenient alternative for children travelling to and from school.

  • Community
    - To encourage the development of strong, safe, friendly and supportive communities;
    - To increase the public’s awareness of children walking to school.

  • Education
    - To provide a practical means of teaching road and pedestrian skills to children;
    - To introduce the TravelSmart curriculum to schools.

What are the advantages of the Walking School Bus program?

Walking School Buses:

  • Provide children with safe passage to and from school.
  • Allow children to gain valuable exercise by walking to school.
  • Assist in reducing vehicular congestion around schools.
  • Allow for increased social interaction between children and adult volunteers.
  • Assist in community building.
  • Teach children road safety and pedestrian skills.
  • Allow children to become familiar with the community in which they live.
  • Ask children to consider alternative means of transport other than the car.
  • Assist in reducing pollution.

The Walking School Bus program in Canberra

  • Pilot Project: A pilot project was conducted at Theodore and Majura Primary Schools in term 4, 2003. Evaluation of the program found:
    1. Participation was enjoyed by both young and old, with new friends being made. This assisted in the development of a greater sense of community.
    2. The Pedestrian and road safety skills of children improved greatly.
  • Management: The YWCA of Canberra manages the program.
  • Reference Group: The Walking School Bus Reference Group (from ACT Health, ACT Education and Training, ACT Planning and Land Authority, Urban Services, The Heart Foundation, Kidsafe ACT and Australian Federal Police) also provides invaluable support in the form of additional resources, advice, guidance and policy information to the YWCA of Canberra and Project Officer.
  • Funding: ACT Health, ACT Urban Services (now ACT Territory and Municipal Services), ACT Department of Education and Training, the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage Australian Greenhouse Office, the NRMA – ACT Road Safety Trust and the Perpetual Philanthropic Fund have provided funding support for the program.

Walking School Bus Key Issues and Challenges - Paul Tranter (March 2007)

Are there other Walking School Bus programs?

  • Walking School Bus programs are operating in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
  • The program is also very popular in New Zealand, Canada, America and England.
  • Reports from these schools indicate that establishing Walking School Buses can:
    • Substantially reduce the vehicular congestion around schools.
    • Lead to changed attitudes towards walking and sustainable transport.
    • Assist in improving health and fitness of children.
    • Assist in improving social networks within the school and community.
    • Assist in teaching children road and pedestrian skills.

     

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