The
Walking Bus is the newest form of school transport!
It comprises of two or more volunteer parents, 'driving' and 'conducting'
a line of school children, to and maybe from school.
Powered by good old-fashioned legwork, it follows a set route and timetable,
collecting and depositing pupils at 'bus stops' along the way. Everyone
wears a highly visible and reflective jacket to stand out to drivers.
How
does it operate?
All
volunteers are 'vetted' by the police to ensure their suitability, and
the Borough and County Councils will provide support, training and route
assessment.
The bus operates to strict guidelines, which limit the adult to child
ratio to 1:8 for junior and 1:4 for infant school pupils. It is the ideal
way to reduce traffic congestion outside of schools in the morning.
What
are the benefits of a Walking Bus?
It SAVES
TIME By working in a rota, parents save time and have fewer school
trips as other people escort their children to school when they are
not volunteering. This enables working parents to get to work earlier
and those with younger children will have a less stressful start to
the day.
It's SAFE
Children learn good road sense.
It's HEALTHY
It encourages children to start the walking habit that will hopefully
stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Pupils' general
fitness is improved through daily exercise.
Children use
up excess energy before lessons start which makes children more alert
and receptive to learning.
It promotes
social development and independence.
It's GREEN
It provides an environmentally friendly way for children to travel
to school.
It encourages
walking, which in turn reduces traffic and fumes near the school.
It's FUN
Children and parents have fun and make new friends!
There are currently
five Walking Bus routes in Hastings, two at the Sacred Heart School,
one at West St Leonards, one at Churchwood and one at Clive Vale Nursery.
How can
we join in?
To find out how
Walking Bus can be part of your school travel plan contact Tracy
Hobden, Walking Bus Officer at Hastings Borough Council on 01424
783340.
