Walking Bus

In County Tipperary, 40.7% of the children aged between 5 and 12 live 1 mile away from the school. But only 18.2% of the children walk to school and 0.9% cycle. The main mean of travel of the children is the car: 54.6%.

To change this trend, the Tipperary Energy Agency wants to set up the first Walking Bus in the County with minimum 20 students involved. The agency has approached 15 schools to present this project and then select one motivated school.

The objectives are:

-Create safe, environmental friendly method for children to get to school

-Move 20 students from car

-Contribute to reducing congestion around the school

-Reduce car journeys.

The duration of this project is : September 2006 - June 2007.

 

What is a walking bus?

The walking bus is the latest safe, fun and healthy way to travel to and from school.

The children walk to school in a group along a set route picking up additional 'passengers' at specific 'bus-stops' along the way. Each walking bus has an adult 'driver' at the front and an adult 'conductor' bringing up the rear. The bus runs rain or shine and everyone wears a reflective jacket.

Along the way children can chat to their friends, learn valuable road safety skills and gain some independence.

 

All walking buses are different! They vary to suit the needs of the children and their parents. Some schools have a number of walking buses and some only have one walking bus.

 

How does the Walking Bus work?

 

A group of parents or teachers volunteers to walk to school and collect children at “Bus Stops” along the way. The walking bus route is set up according to where the volunteers live. They cooperate to walk with the bus on a rota system, thus freeing up time for each supervisor on the days when someone else takes their child to school. The bus comprises a ‘Driver’, ‘Conductor’ and other adult volunteers, depending on the number of children and according to a set ratio of adults to children (usually 1:8). Each driver should have a register of students who use their bus on each day and the driver keeps track of attendance.

Children join the bus at set 'bus stops' along the route and the walking bus will leave these at a set time. Parents are expected to wait with their children for the bus to arrive. If they are late, it is the parents' responsibility to ensure their child gets to school safely.

The scheme is co-ordinated by one of the parent volunteers or a teacher.

 

The advantages of a Walking Bus

 

1-Exercice:

The walking bus provides a chance for everyone to take part in regular exercise. Evidence shows that more active children are likely to become more active adults. Just a 15 minute journey to and from school can contribute to half the daily recommended exercise for children (Source: A safer Journey to School, the Pedestrians Society, 2000).

 

2-Safety:

Children who walk to school on a walking bus are part of a large and visible group which is supervised by adults and seen safely into school. To be visible, pupils on the walking bus must wear fluorescent/ reflective clothing.

Parents must explain to their children the importance of being safe on the walking bus.

 

3-Road sense:

The walking bus helps children learn pedestrian skills so that when they begin to walk on their own they are better equipped to deal with traffic.

 

4-Socialising:

The journey to school gives children a chance to talk and make new friends, when they've arrived at school they've done their chatting and are more ready to learn.

 

5-Environment:

Every journey made on foot helps reduce the amount of traffic around schools, which will help reduce air pollution and improve our local environment for everyone.

 

6-Easy breathing:

Research has proved that if you make a short journey in a car, you are exposed to more air pollution, than if you walk! By using a walking bus, children will have fresh air to wake them up, before settling down to work in class.

 

The 12 Steps to set up a Walking Bus

  

Step 1

Set up a Walking Bus Committee.

Step 2

Gauge parent’s interest and establish whether there are enough volunteers to satisfy the ratio criteria of adults to children, and establish where they live.

Step 3

Identify suitable routes for the bus.

Step 4

Identify suitable “Pick up” points along the route and notify all parents of the collection point.

Step 5

Register the volunteers.

Step 6

Appoint a Walking Bus Coordinator for each route.

Step 7

Have each route assessed by the Road Safety Officer.

Step 8

Devise a rota for volunteers and issue details of them.

Step 9

Inform the parents about the volunteers and remind them of their responsibilities and their children’s responsibilities.

Step 10

Distribute reflective jackets to children and supervisors.

Step 11

Work to a recommended ratio of adults to children (1 adult to 8 juniors -7 to 11 years old- and 1 adult to 4 infants -4 to 6 years old.)

Step 12

Update the register of pupils and volunteers regularly.

Compiled from sources: Meath Energy Management Agency, Dublin transportation Office, Hertfordshire County Council

 

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