Travel in Warwickshire - Schools - Walking Bus

Walking Bus

A walking bus is a group, or ‘bus’ of children and adults who walk from home to school each day.

The group moves quickly and safely under the guidance of trained adults. All children and adults on the bus wear bright reflective jackets for safety.

Warwickshire County Council will provide full training for volunteers, all equipment including reflective jackets and any other help you need to get your walking bus up and running.

Why have one?
Schools may wish to set up a walking bus because of:

Problems with vehicle parking at the school gates.
Congestion problems in the area of the school.
Health promotion and healthy lifestyle initiatives.
Environmental concern.
Download the walking bus leaflet (409 KB). You will need free Adobe Reader to do this.

6 reasons to start a walking bus

1. Regular Exercise
Just a 15 minute journey to school can contribute to half the recommended exercise for children.

2. The social scene
The walk gives children a chance to talk with friends before school. Adults aren’t the only ones who like to chat!

3. Easy breathing
Research has shown that short car journeys expose children to more air pollution than if they walk.

4. Road safety awareness
Children can learn pedestrian skills, so when they are old enough to walk on their own they will be equipped to deal with traffic and roads. Find out more about road safety education.

5. Safety as a group
Being part of a large group means children and adults are more visible to others. Bright, reflective, clothing ensures all are visible to traffic.

6. Environment
Every journey made on foot helps reduce the amount of traffic around school, improving the environment for everyone.

Walk To School Walking Bus
Walking Bus lamppost sign
Children and Parents in Walking Bus
Brookhurst Primary School Walking Bus
The Brookhurst Primary School Walking Bus

Brookhurst Primary School in Leamington Spa launched the first walking bus in Warwickshire on 20 March 2001.

It operates in a similar way to a conventional bus service. Ideally the bus is aimed at pupils up to 10 years old. It starts at a terminus where the majority of the children climb aboard, and further children are picked up from virtual bus stops on the predetermined and timetabled route.

Powered by good old-fashioned leg work, the bus has a driver and a conductor (volunteer parents), as well as additional helpers to ensure the children walk safely.

The bus is clearly visible to all by nature of the fluorescent tabards worn by the parents, and the armbands worn by the children. Sponsorship from Tescos helped towards the cost of the fluorescent jackets and the armbands. The first route is known as the "green route".

The children (and parents) were very keen on a walking bus, and a walking bus coordinator was identified at the school - a parent! - who ensured its success.

Brookhurst also have a second walking bus, the "yellow route" which was launched in Walk to School week in May 2001. A third "orange route" has now also been established.

Since the "buses" have been set up numbers are increasing as parents see the bus working and realise the benefits of it.

Brookhurst currently have 60+ children registered to walk at least one journey a week. Brookhurst hope to have nearly half the school using the bus at least once a week.

Brookhurst hope that the bus will ease traffic congestion problems on the streets round the school, and they say that it is the children's enthusiasm, which drives the bus.

If anyone is interested in seeing the "bus" in action, a visit can be arranged by emailing sustainabletravel@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Welcome to Warwickshire County Council

Search Site

Walking Bus
A walking bus is a group, or ‘bus’ of children and adults who walk from home to school each day. The group moves quickly and safely under the guidance of trained adults. All children and adults on the bus wear bright reflective jackets for safety. Warwickshire County Council will provide full training for volunteers, all equipment including reflective jackets and any other help you need to get your walking bus up and running. Why have one? Schools may wish to set up a walking bus because of: Problems with vehicle parking at the school gates. Congestion problems in the area of the school. Health promotion and healthy lifestyle initiatives. Environmental concern. Download the walking bus leaflet (409 KB). You will need free Adobe Reader to do this. 6 reasons to start a walking bus 1. Regular Exercise Just a 15 minute journey to school can contribute to half the recommended exercise for children. 2. The social scene The walk gives children a chance to talk with friends before school. Adults aren’t the only ones who like to chat! 3. Easy breathing Research has shown that short car journeys expose children to more air pollution than if they walk. 4. Road safety awareness Children can learn pedestrian skills, so when they are old enough to walk on their own they will be equipped to deal with traffic and roads. Find out more about road safety education. 5. Safety as a group Being part of a large group means children and adults are more visible to others. Bright, reflective, clothing ensures all are visible to traffic. 6. Environment Every journey made on foot helps reduce the amount of traffic around school, improving the environment for everyone.
Brookhurst Primary School in Leamington Spa launched the first walking bus in Warwickshire on 20 March 2001. It operates in a similar way to a conventional bus service. Ideally the bus is aimed at pupils up to 10 years old. It starts at a terminus where the majority of the children climb aboard, and further children are picked up from virtual bus stops on the predetermined and timetabled route. Powered by good old-fashioned leg work, the bus has a driver and a conductor (volunteer parents), as well as additional helpers to ensure the children walk safely. The bus is clearly visible to all by nature of the fluorescent tabards worn by the parents, and the armbands worn by the children. Sponsorship from Tescos helped towards the cost of the fluorescent jackets and the armbands. The first route is known as the "green route". The children (and parents) were very keen on a walking bus, and a walking bus coordinator was identified at the school - a parent! - who ensured its success. Brookhurst also have a second walking bus, the "yellow route" which was launched in Walk to School week in May 2001. A third "orange route" has now also been established. Since the "buses" have been set up numbers are increasing as parents see the bus working and realise the benefits of it. Brookhurst currently have 60+ children registered to walk at least one journey a week. Brookhurst hope to have nearly half the school using the bus at least once a week. Brookhurst hope that the bus will ease traffic congestion problems on the streets round the school, and they say that it is the children's enthusiasm, which drives the bus. If anyone is interested in seeing the "bus" in action, a visit can be arranged by emailing sustainabletravel@warwickshire.gov.uk.