Walking bus
What is a walking bus?
A walking bus is where a group of children are walked to school in high-visibility clothing by adult volunteers. The ‘bus’ follows a set timetable and route, picking up children as it goes.
Key benefits include encouraging safe, active travel as well as cutting congestion and pollution outside the school gate.
What does the school need to do?
- Ask your parents if they would be interested in a walking bus – either in terms of letting their children be part of one, or volunteering to run one. (click here for a template letter [Word]).
- If you have enough interest, decide on a route (or routes) and timetable for your bus. This will be determined by the addresses of the volunteers and participants.
- Volunteers must be DBS checked.
- The route will also need to be risk assessed by the council.
Top Tips
- It may be possible to obtain sponsorship for the hi-viz vests and some publicity material from the Co-operative, find out if you’re eligible here.
- Combine with the Park & Stride initiative.
- Combine with a car-free walking zone.
- Check out the Living Streets Guidance [PDF] on getting children to walk to school.
