Walking Buses in Staffordshire

Walking Buses in Staffordshire have been in service since January 1999, when the first Walking Bus started at St Nicholas First School in Codsall, South Staffordshire. We are very proud to say it's still going strong and celebrated its "9th birthday" in January 2008.

Staffordshire are leading the way with Department for Transport data suggesting in 2007 there were between 500 and 600 Walking Buses in England and Wales. At that time Staffordshire had 99, and since then it has increased to 125 and counting!

We have a very successful tried and tested process of how we go about setting up a Walking Bus, from the first assembly with the children, introducing the concept of Walking Buses, to parent meetings promoting the scheme, to the auditing of the route and parent training.

Staffordshire are very much considered leaders in this field and very often receive enquires from other authorities asking for advice and information on how we go about setting up Walking Buses and more importantly how we sustain them.

There are currently 125 Walking Buses in all 8 Districts and Boroughs of the County, with approximately 2250 children and 500+ Volunteers regularly walking on Walking Buses each day.

So - What is a Walking Bus?

Children are collected along an agreed route by trained volunteers who act as "Driver" and "Conductor" (Ratio 2:16);

A Parent Rota is put in place to share the load;
Drivers, Conductors and Passengers all wear high-visibility clothing;
It's a National initiative to give your children a healthier, safer method of getting to and from school;
A Walking Bus is a parent and school supported initiative that encourages walking to school;
All Walking Buses are different. They vary to suit the needs of the children and the school - for example you can "Walk on Wednesdays", or you can "Park and Stride";
Most of all it's FUN!

What are the Benefits?

Improves children's road safety and pedestrian skills;

Reduces traffic around schools;
Great for the environment - A GREEN alternative to the school run;
A fit and healthy start to the school day;
Time and fuel saved for parents - less pollution and also less STRESS!
Parents can be assured that their children are escorted to and from school with responsible and trusted adults.

As well as establishing Walking Buses, we help to support and maintain them by offering regular rewards for those taking part. Leisure Centres across the County support us by providing swimming vouchers at the end of each term. We also have close links with Stoke City, Wolves FC, Port Vale and Burton Albion Football Clubs.

In addition we have support from other agencies including the Police, Fire Service and Community Wardens who all endorse the scheme.

Interested in Setting up a Walking Bus at your School……

If Walking Buses sounds like a good idea - why not try and get one up and running at your school. Everything you need to make it a success is provided by the County Council. We have two Walking Bus Co-ordinators covering the whole of Staffordshire who will be happy to assist you in the set-up process. If you would like further information please get in touch.

Sue Benton photo