A walking bus is a fun, healthy, safe and sustainable way of travelling to school.
Powered by good, old-fashioned legwork, the children and volunteers walk in a group along a set route, picking up or dropping off 'passengers' at specific 'bus stops' on their journey to and from school.
Everyone wears a walking bus hi-vis tabard so that the walking bus can be easily seen by drivers and gives the children a sense of belonging.
A walking bus can be easy to set up.
It must have:
- a minimum of 2 adults per route (often staff or parents)
- an adult 'driver' at the front of the bus
- a 'conductor' at the back of the bus
- the correct ratio of adult to child depending on the age group.
Find out more about how to set up a walking bus.
Benefits of a walking bus
By setting up a walking bus at your school, you'll:
- help contribute to the 60 minutes of recommended daily exercise for a child
- provide children with the opportunity to learn essential road safety skills
- give children more social time with other children
- reduce local congestion and pollution
- encourage parents and carers to be part of the process
- support healthier and more sustainable ways of travel while saving fuel costs.
Find out more
Visit the Brightwayz website for video resources, including animations of what a walking bus is and how to organise one.
For other walking initiatives, visit the Living Streets website.
Contact the Transport Initiatives Team for more advice on setting up a walking bus by emailing transportinitiatives@medway.gov.uk.
Visit our road safety page to find out more about road safety education and other active travel initiatives.