Frequently asked questions

Here are some questions about the various walk to school initiatives in New Zealand. If you don’t find the answers to your queries here or on this site, please don’t hesitate to talk to a travel behaviour change facilitator at your nearest Land Transport New Zealand regional office.

1. I want to encourage children to walk to school? Where do I start?

There’s a wide range of walk to school initiatives operating in New Zealand schools and many of them are outlined on these pages. It’s a good idea to contact a road safety coordinator at your local council and discuss your school’s situation with him/her.

2. How can I be sure that the initiatives provide a safe environment for children to walk to school?

Safety is the top priority in all of the initiatives. That’s why we recommend that you work with a road safety coordinator, who has the expertise and support to assess and minimise the risks.

3. Is there any funding available to schools wanting to develop a school travel plan or a walking school bus?

Funding for travel plans, walking school buses and other initiatives that focus on changing travel behaviour is made available from Land Transport New Zealand to approved organisations (eg local councils). Up to 75% of the total cost of a project will be funded through its National Land Transport Programme. More information on the funding process is available here.

4. Should our school develop a school travel plan before introducing an initiative such as the walking school bus?

There is no evidence that a walking school bus or similar initiative will work better in a school that has a school travel plan. A school travel plan may identify a walking school bus as one of the actions required.
 

5. Why would my school develop a school travel plan?

School travel plans are comprehensive documents that examine all journeys to and from school. They provide school communities with a package of practical actions they can implement to improve road safety, reduce car trips to school and encourage students to use more sustainable modes of transport.

Developing and implementing a school travel plan requires commitment on the part of the school community to ensure its success. Funding is made available to approved organisations from Land Transport New Zealand.

6. What communities are walking school buses most successful in?

Walking school buses can work well in many communities, particularly in urban areas. However, they are most successful when caregivers are involved and committed to their success, and where schools are strong champions of the initiative.
 
Other factors ensuring high levels of sustained use are the involvement of road safety coordinators; proactive methods to sustain the volunteer base and maintain enthusiasm; and the participation of young children up to the age of eight. Experience has showed that older children are less interested in taking part in the walking school bus.

Walking school buses appear to be less successful when children travel long distances to school (eg rural schools, private schools with a large catchment area). Some rural schools are located on busy highways without footpaths and so it’s not safe to encourage the children to walk to school. Or many of the students are bussed to the school and traffic congestion can be less of a problem.

7. How important is the involvement of parents/caregivers in a walking school bus?

Their involvement is vital to the success of a walking school bus. They provide volunteer support as ‘drivers’ or ‘conductors’, help ensure the smooth operation of the bus, and encourage children to use the bus on an ongoing basis.

Page created: 1 May 2007