Zipping to school by 'walking bus'

By BRONWYN SELL

When Gladstone Primary pupils board an imaginary school bus it is not a game, but a serious attempt to improve safety and local traffic congestion.

The Mt Albert school has long been concerned about the dangers its students face on the busy roads outside its gates, especially when many parents of the 800 pupils drop off or pick up their children at the same time.

Two children were seriously injured in accidents outside the school last year and the mother of a pupil was killed while crossing a road nearby.

The school has created a simple solution that has earned local praise - a walking bus, "driven" by two parents, that collects children along a main route in the mornings and walks them home after school.

Principal Colin Dale said the Carrington Rd school had huge problems with traffic, especially with Unitec across the road.

The Zippy's Walking School Bus had cut the number of cars stopping outside the school by at least 15 a day. "And petrol is very cheap."

University of Auckland geographer Dr Robin Kearns, who has a son at the school, said the bus was restoring walking to school as a safe option.

Dr Kearns was part of a group which researched the children's travel patterns and suggested the walking bus, which has been supported by the Auckland City Council.

Since it began three weeks ago, 32 pupils have signed up, and Mr Dale hoped more routes could eventually be covered.

Student Hannah Kay, aged 9, said it was safe and fun. "It saves cars coming in and out of school so it's safer for us crossing roads."

Parent Diane Ogg, who walked home with the bus yesterday, said it also saved parents' time.

Auckland Regional Council research has found that 15 per cent of daily household travel trips are education-related, and that 40 per cent of those during the morning peak are to schools or education-related destinations.

Council transport committee chairman Les Paterson said the walking school bus was a great idea.

"It's a matter of giving parents the confidence that children can be safely conducted to school."