A Walking Bus In Cahir

“A Walking Bus in Cahir” is a project on sustainable mobility under the European project MOVE. The target is to set up a walking bus in Our Lady of Mercy girls School and CahirBoys School on Cahir, Co. Tipperary. In the walking bus 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 walking bus is a sustainable, healthy and fun way of travel to school. (What is a walking bus?)

An initial survey in both schools revealed the interest in set up the Walking Bus, 92 questionnaires has been filled in representing 112 children over 450 total. The results are

Mean of travel to school

Number of children who would use the walking bus

Number of parents who may be volunteers: 18

TEA held a meeting with 3 of the interested volunteers to discuss the next steps to this project, the main issue was to get involved more volunteers as the number of people showing interest in being volunteers had dropped significantly.

While working to promote and plan the start of the walking bus after the Easter Holydays, an article in local newspaper had been published, leaflets given to all the children and parents, a first draft of the routes defined and 2 information sessions organized. In both session the attendance was poor, only one of the volunteers and one parents came to the first information session. Only one parent came to the second information meeting, fortunately this one was interested in being a volunteer.

Despite the low interest registered on the information session, one of the routes of the Walking Bus began to run on May with 3 volunteers driving the bus and 11 children taking part. The registration forms had been filled in and pedometers given to the children as an incentive.

The 15^th of June, road safety training was held on in the school with the Road Safety officer to increase awareness and learn pedestrian skills, reflective jackets and armbands were distributed among the children. As well the displays about walking bus in both schools had been set up and a second route established.

At the end of the academic year 2005-06, two routes are established with a total of 13 children walking and 5 parents driving the Walking Bus. It is expected that the established routes would increase motivation among children and parents and more people get involved on the Walking Bus when de children return in September.

"A Walking Bus in Cahir"  complete report"

Back to TEA Local projects page