Walking Bus

Want to improve the health, resilience and environment in your community?  Consider starting a Walking Bus at your local school. Walking Buses help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion around schools as well as contributing to improved health and sense of community.  It is a fantastic way to get active and meet other members of your community.

Sustainable Living Tasmania has been funded by DHHS to run a WB project in Tasmania. We are working with key partners to increase the capacity of schools to integrate and support Walking Bus Programs throughout the State. A pilot project was run in Term 3 2009, with three schools (Scottsdale Primary, Illawarra Primary and Kingston Primary) launching Walking Bus programs. Each of the schools has had overwhelming support for their Walking Bus and are looking at expanding services for next year.

If you are interested in starting a Walking Bus for next year or more information about the project, please contact Lissa on 6234 5566 or by email.

What is a Walking Bus?

A Walking Bus is a fun, safe and active way for children to travel to school.

It is a group of primary school aged children who walk to school along a safe route accompanied by adult volunteers.

It is usually formed with one parent “driving” at the front of the bus and another parent at the rear. Additional parents may be needed depending on numbers. The walking bus picks children up at designated stops at designated times along the way and “drives” them to school. The frequency with which the bus operates is up to the school, parents who want to “drive” it and children who want to use it. This may vary from one day per week to every day depending on family commitments.

Safety on the bus is of utmost importance. The route is therefore thoroughly checked for traffic hazards and participants wear bright, distinctive vests to be easily seen.

Why set up a Walking Bus?

Benefits of a Walking School Bus include:

• A safe and convenient way for children to travel to school;
• Improvement of health and well being through walking and talking;
• An opportunity for children to learn road sense and traffic safety;
• Reduction of traffic congestion around the school;
• Contributing to a sustainable environment;
• Opportunities for children and parents to develop friendships and a sense of place and community in their neighbourhood.

Walking Buses in Tasmania

Several schools in Tasmania have established Walking Bus Programs.  South Hobart Primary was the first Walking Bus established in the State and has been running successfully since 2004.  Scottsdale Primary, the first rural school to run a Walking Bus in Tasmania, launched two buses in 2009. The Walking Bus Program is simple and flexible enough to suit most schools.  Whether urban, suburban or rural a Walking Bus is a fantastic way to get families more active, create lasting friendships and contribute to a healthier and safer environment.

Walking Bus Resources

Overview

Volunteer Training Handbook (PDF)

Walking Bus Intro

Role of Schools

Role of Volunteers

Long-term Success of a Walking Bus

Sample Forms

Baseline Survey & Sample Newsletter Article

Parent Consent Form

Student Pledge

Volunteer Agreement

Volunteer Checklist

Emergency Response Plan

Contact List

Passenger Log

Volunteer Schedule & Contacts

Attendance Sheet

Other Resources:

Travel Smart Australia - http://www.travelsmart.gov.au/schools/schools2.html

VicHealth - www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb

U.S. Walking School Bus Program - www.walkingschoolbus.org/