‘Official walking buses’ – past their sell by date?

At the recent international Walk21 Conference in Copenhagen (9-11 June) David Engwicht, the acknowledged creator of the ‘walking bus’ concept generated lively discussion with his controversial comment that ‘official’ walking buses have in many circumstances outlived their usefulness - and in some cases have become counter-productive. He proposed that walking buses should evolve with a far less formal approach.

Robert Smith, chair of the International Walk To School Committee, says the comments created heated debate among delegates. His authority, Dorset, abandoned its ‘official’ walking buses some years ago in favour of encouraging more informal arrangements between families.

"We still support the concept of adult group escorted trips as they have more benefits than dis-benefits and gradually give children some independence and valuable road safety skills training, but the formal ones were a nightmare to manage and evaluation showed little change in the number of car trips to school," Robert Smith said. "One of our rural First schools had the road leading to it closed for repairs for six weeks earlier this year. Parents who regularly drove had to park a five minute walk away and accompany their children on foot every day during the closure. Informal walking group arrangements were made by parents and continue long after the road has re-opened. A regular walking incentive reward scheme set up by the school when the road re-opened has ensured sustainability. No-one has asked for or suggested a formal walking bus arrangement, thank goodness!"

Robert Smith is keen to hear RSOs’ views on David Engwicht's comments and will report these back to the International WTS committee and to LARSOA colleagues in September. He can be contacted at r.smith@dorsetcc.gov.uk.