Service FAQ questions
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What is a Walking Bus?
A Walking Bus is a scheme where volunteer parents walk a group of children to or from school along a set route. The children walk in a crocodile fashion with the 'driver' at the front and the 'conductor' at the rear and the children are collected at pre-arranged 'bus stops' along the route at specific times, similar to a proper bus route.
Who are the conductors and drivers?
The Walking Bus relies on parent volunteers to be conductors and drivers. Every volunteer is required to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Each volunteer wears a badge with a photograph whenever on the Walking Bus.
How safe is the Walking Bus?
We ensure that the Walking Bus takes the safest route possible. The proposed route is checked by the Walking Bus Co-ordinator or Road Safety Officer, the Council's Road Traffic Engineer and the Police. The Walking Bus will then be covered by the school's or the Council's public liability insurance.
All children and volunteers are required to wear high-visibility fluorescent yellow waistcoats at all times on the journey. Road safety training is given to all involved.
Do I have to help out every day?
If every child walked to and from school just one day a week the traffic congestion would be reduced by 20%. The Walking Bus doesn't have to run every day, just do what you can.
I need the car to get to work. Can my child still use the Walking Bus?
Parents requiring their cars can drive their child to pre-arranged 'vehicle bus stops' and once the child has been collected the parent can continue their journey without congesting the area around the school gates.
What are the benefits for my child?
Whilst your child is walking to school they learn essential pedestrian and road safety skills. These skills are vital and are particularly important when they start to make the journey to secondary school on their own.
Also, obesity in children is rising. 19% of five year olds and a third of fifteen year olds in the UK are overweight.
There isn't a Walking Bus at my school. What should I do?
Speak to the Head teacher or Parent Governor, or contact the Walking Bus co-ordinators at the Road Safety Unit.
Telephone: 020 8461 7672
E-mail: road.safety@bromley.gov.uk