Transport Minister hops on 'walking bus' to school

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Jersey’s Transport Minister has been doing the school 'walk' this week to see some of the new child friendly bus stops that have been popping up around the Island.

Deputy Eddie Noel joined youngsters on their way to Bel Royal School on Monday and hopped on their 'walking bus.'

His department's trying to ease congestion and introduce school travel plans to relieve traffic at school gates at drop-off and pick-up times. The new scheme was introduced last month as part of the School's Travel Plan to improve safety for children and their families and encourage more of them to get active.

Around 20 youngsters now join the 'walking bus' to and from Bel Royal School each day, making their way together and picking up and dropping off children en route at designated "bus stops" with the help of two adults who act as 'driver' and 'conductor.' Deputy Noel was pleased to see the new bus in action.

He said: “It was a fantastic start to the morning joining Bel Royal School’s walking bus. Our Department is always looking for solutions to barriers that may restrict active travel. The widened pavement along Rue de Haut not only facilitates more walking to school, it is also better for pupils with disabilities, and improves pedestrian access for parents with prams. It is also of great benefit to people living at Stuart Court Residential Home.”

The department hopes more 'walking bus' routes can be set up on some of the other school runs around the Island.

Transport Awareness Officer Ania Deichsel said: “Many children in Jersey live close enough to their school to be able to walk. For young children, walking to school with their parents is an excellent opportunity to learn road safety skills and awareness. Children who walk to school with parents and friends build up their pedestrian skills over time so that when they start making journeys alone they are better prepared for coping with traffic. Getting children into the habit of walking is an excellent way to encourage lifelong healthy habits, and to reduce car-dependency.

“It is natural for small groups of parents and children to walk and talk together as their routes converge. Quite often parents take it in turns to accompany each other’s children to or from school. A handful of schools in Jersey, including Bel Royal School, have developed this idea into a regular, formal arrangement called a ‘walking bus’.

"If you are interested in starting a walking bus at your school, get in touch.”