Getting started

What are the benefits of a Walking School Bus?

A Walking School Bus:

• Helps to reduce traffic congestion around schools.
  
  
• Increases the level of physical activity of children and adults.
  
  
• The Australian Physical Activity Recommendations for 5-12 year olds state that children should participate in at least 60 minutes (and up to several hours) of moderate to vigorous activity every day.
  
  
• The child and adolescent physical activity and nutrition (CAPANS) survey 2003 recommends that existing policies, programs and infrastructure continue to support and expand programs which inform and encourage active transport, such as walking and cycling, among school-aged children, their parents and their teachers.
  
  
• Provides the opportunity for parents to share the responsibility for taking children to school with other parents - this gives parents more free time as well as a fun way to spend time with their children.
  
  
• Teaches children about road safety, which is so important in later years.
  
  
• Increases street security - the more pedestrians there are on our streets, the safer it becomes to walk.
  
  
• Helps the environment - for each child who is part of a Walking School Bus there is potentially one less vehicle on the road, which eases road congestion, reduces pollution and increases safety.

Types of Walking School Bus

Option 1. The concentrated suburban WSB Children are escorted between home and school along designated, audited and safe pedestrian routes.  This type of WSB plan best suits schools where a large number of children live within walking distance (i.e. 1km or 20 minutes' walk) of the school and where the roads can be crossed safely with groups of children. Option 2. The pick-up/drop-off point WSB For families living more than 1km from the school, the pickup/drop off point WSB might work best.  Parents can drive their children to a selected pick-up/drop off point, such as a low-use public car park, which is within walking distance and provides a safe walk route to the school.  This option is recommended where many families live beyond walking distance of the school or where children are delivered to school as part of the parents’ journey to work.

How does a community start a Walking School Bus?

Parents who are interested in starting a Walking School Bus do so by working with the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI), their Local Government TravelSmart Officer (where appointed) or their Local Health Promotion Officer (where appointed). 

Parents can set up a Walking School Bus in 6 steps.

1. The school parent association or other committee (eg RoadWise) asks the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) or the Local Government TravelSmart Officer or Health Promotion Officer to present the Walking School Bus concept at an assembly or committee meeting.
   
   
2. A parent survey form, provided by DPI or your Local Government TravelSmart Officer or Health Promotion Officer, goes out with the regular school newsletter and once returned, responses are collated.
   
   
3. Potential routes are identified and assessed for traffic conditions and the number of participants and parent volunteers.
   
   
4. Volunteer parent driver/supervisor training is arranged - training is compulsory under the Walking School Bus legal liability requirement.
   
   
5. Timed station schedules are confirmed with participating families.
   
   
6. The Walking School Bus is launched and promoted through the local newspaper and school newsletter, and at an assembly.

Due to strong demand for walking school buses there is a waiting list for DPI assistance.  Prior to contacting DPI parents should check the Contacts page to see if there is a trained TravelSmart Officer or Local Health Promotion Officer available in their area who could assist.

Volunteers

Without parent volunteer drivers/supervisors and route coordinators there would be no Walking School Buses. A Walking School Bus can start with just 2 volunteers. However, for ongoing success, Walking School Buses really need at least 3 volunteers. The more volunteers there are sharing the workload, the easier it is - eg if a volunteer can't make it due to sickness or a special appointment, somebody will be available to fill in. A Volunteer Activity Coordinator (VAC) is required for each Walking School Bus, and it is important that the VAC has the support of other volunteers. Volunteers need to be aware that other roles include recruiting new volunteers, organising the initial launch, collecting records and rewarding children. All of these roles can be rotated over the school term or year.

Rewards and Recognition

To encourage student participation and provide incentives for continued patronage, a rewards system has been developed as part of the Walking School Bus program. The Program aims to provide participating students with incentives that are practical and fun. In the past this has included small prizes such as water bottles and coloured pencils. DPI also likes to acknowledge the most important people who participate in the WSB program, the parent volunteers. Without the commitment of the parents who volunteer their time, the Walking School Bus would not be able to run! Therefore, every term, regular parent volunteers also receive a token of gratitude.