A Walking School BusTM is a school bus powered not by an engine but by legs. Children don't sit inside this bus they walk in a group to school, with an adult driver in the front and an adult conductor' at the rear. The 'bus' travels along a set route to school, picking up children along the way at designated ‘bus stops. 'Bus stops' can be meeting points along the route or each child's front gate.
The bus can go as seldom or as often as volunteers want to ?drive it and parents and children want to use it. The service is free. Every child is welcome to join the bus, even if their parents aren't able to be drivers.
Safety on the bus is of utmost importance. The route therefore is thoroughly checked for traffic hazards, and the adults wear bright, distinctive sashes or vests to be easily seen. The size of the bus depends on the number of accompanying adults: 8-12 children with two adults is common.
The video of the South Hobart Walking School Bus, sponsored by the Hobart City Council with support from funding under the former 'Cool Communities' programme in Tasmania in August 2004, has now been launched throughout Australia.
It is the centrepiece of an Information CD prepared and distributed by the Australian Greenhouse Office under its TravelSmart Australia logo to explain the Walking Bus concept to parent groups of primary school aged children. It includes practical guides on how to both join and set-up a Walking School Bus. In addition to the 12 minute video the CD contains:
For further information on the CD go to the www.travelsmart.gov.au web site.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, in July 2005, launched guidelines for a 'Walking School Bus' program through the Department of Education and the Premier's Physical Activity Council. Contact websites for these are www.lgat.tas.gov.au and www.education.tas.gov.au/movewelleatwell.
Link: The Walking School BusTM Guide
Getting to school can be regarded as a chore by parents and children alike. When the pressure is on in the morning, getting the children in the car and dropping them off at school can often seem the quickest and easiest solution.
A Walking School BusTM can provide an effective, healthy and safe alternative that meets the needs of both parents and child. According to the survey run in Term III 2003, over half of the South Hobart Primary School children were driven to and from school. Inactive children are more likely to be overweight. In addition, traffic congestion is creating a hazard in and around the school. Concern is increasing about the level of pollution in our communities. Ironically, a sense that it may not be safe for children to walk in this environment can also prompt parents to prefer to use the car, compounding the problem.
Walking School BusesTM are one way to address these concerns and provide a range of benefits to the whole community. There are many in the community who may have an interest in a walking bus operation in your area. These include:
Walking School BusesTM can assist children to:
Walking School BusesTM can assist parents to:
For parents who become drivers or conductors there are the added benefits of:
School communities wishing to obtain a copy of the Guide or the Walking School Bus TM video should contact the Tasmanian Environment Centre on 6234 5566 or email: restec@southcom.com.au.
