Walking school ‘buses’ gather pace

MEDIA RELEASE

October 17, 2001

Walking school ‘buses’ gather pace

An Auckland City initiative to help reduce traffic congestion at school gates and improve safety for children walking to and from school is becoming increasingly popular.

Three more schools have started Walking School Buses – the Billy Goat, the Vicky Viper and the Elephant have joined the programme after a sponsorship grant from the its sponsor, Stagecoach.

The three new schools in the programme have added about 110 children to the scheme.

The Billy Goat is the “bus” for Hillsborough Primary School there are three Vicky Vipers, for Victoria Ave Primary School, Remuera; and the Elephant is the bus for the Halsey Drive Primary School in Lynfield.

The Walking School Bus scheme involves children walking to school under the supervision of volunteer parents – a “driver” and a “conductor” supervise the walkers.

Children join the “bus” at designated stops along the route. The driver and conductor wear a sash with the sponsor’s name, the name of the school and the “bus”. Each passenger has a bag tag.

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Mariken Flapper, Auckland City’s School Road Safety Co-ordinator, says the scheme is a wonderful way to help reduce traffic congestion at school gates.

“It also has children walking to school in a safe environment under the supervision of adults and they learn road-safety skills while they get fitter and socialise.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Mariken Flapper,
School Road Safety Co-ordinator
Auckland City Council

Tel: 307-7639
025-953-853

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