A Walking School Bus™ is a group of primary school children who walk to and from school along a safe and enjoyable set route, accompanied by a minimum of two parent driver/supervisors per 'bus'. One parent 'drives' at the front of the bus, while the other parent supervises at the rear. The walking bus picks up 'passengers' along the way at designated 'bus stops' The 'bus stops' can be meeting points along the route or at homes of the Walking School Bus™ participants.
The process is reversed in the afternoon, led by the same or a different adult driver/supervisor. It can be flexible to suit the needs of families using it. The 'bus' can go as seldom or as often as parents want to 'drive' it and children want to use it. This means that it can even operate as little as one morning or afternoon each week. Many schools start the Walking School Bus™ on a one-day per week basis and increase its schedule over time. The service is free. Every child is welcome to join the bus even if their parents cannot be drivers
The MPPS Walking School Bus has its first route up and ‘walking’ every Wednesday morning! Fiona a parent of a child in 2SB is the ‘bus driver’
They depart Nimmo Street at 8.30am walking along Page Street and arrive at MPPS at 8:45am
Stop 1 ‐ Corner of Harold St and Page St at approx 8.35am
Stop 2 ‐ Corner of Wright St and Page St at approx 8.40am
... or join in anywhere along Page Street when you see the group coming!
Many school communities have started their own walking bus programs, which support increasing needs to change our travel choices. Each child who is part of a Walking School Bus™ is potentially one less vehicle on the road. This eases traffic congestion, increases safety and reduces pollution The benefits of the Walking School Bus™ reach the whole community and include:
- a safe and convenient way for children to travel to school;
- improvement of health and well being of children through walking and talking;
- an opportunity for children to learn road sense and traffic safety;
- reduction of traffic congestion around schools;
- contributing to a sustainable environment;
- opportunities for children, and parents to develop friendships and a sense of place and community in their neighbourhood.
