Summary
MEMA is encouraging primary schools in County Meath to organise a 'Walking Bus' to school. The Walking Bus is an environmentally conscious, safe, fun and healthy way to travel to and from school. The initiative is being promoted by MEMA as a measure to reduce the amount of vehicular traffic congestion, thereby reducing carbon emissions around the school gates in County Meath.
MEMA's 'Walking Bus' as it approached the school (Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown, County
Meath) on 1st of June 2004. The driver (Claire Hennessy, Road Safety Team) 'drives' the bus while the
conductor (Genevieve Noone, Road Safety Team) supervises the bus at the rear.
Results
The pilot project began on the 1st of June 2004 and operated every weekday throughout the month of June. It rained on three days of the month yet the 'bus' still operated successfully.
Evaluation forms were presented to the participants after the pilot programme ended. There were two sections on the form; one for the parents and one for the children. Of the 450 forms that were distributed 109 were returned. Results established that 49 children wanted to be involved in the 'Walking Bus' starting in September 2004 and 55 children did not.
Thirty-two of the children who want to participate in the 'Walking Bus' were already involved in the pilot scheme in June 2004. Seven of the children who do not want to participate in September 2004 but who were part of the pilot scheme in June 2004 gave the following reasons for not wanting to continue participating:
The majority of the children who were involved in the pilot scheme gave very positive comments on the evaluation forms. They found that being part of the 'Walking Bus' was a fun and healthy way to walk to and from school and they enjoyed talking with their friends along the way. Suggestions made by participants highlighted the need for rainwear for bad weather. Lightweight rainwear should be provided for each child and a trolley would also provide assistance to carry the students extra books and physical activity sports bags. The trolley would need to be manageable for all weather conditions.
In general, the school found that there was a noticeable reduction in traffic congestion around the school gates as a direct result of the 'Walking Bus'. As increased numbers of students and parents participate in the 'Walking Bus' there will be measurable results related to reduced vehicular traffic through a reduction of greenhouse gases, reduction of local pollution and improved air quality.
The 'Walking Bus' at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown has raised the school and community spirit, through involving school members and local residents. The 'Walking Bus' has also created awareness within the County Council and has highlighted the need for more road safety provisions in the area. The County Engineers have subsequently initiated a plan for better road markings on school roads in the area.
The school was promoted and profiled as the first school in County Meath to encourage children to travel to school on a 'Walking Bus' and was publicised both locally and nationally in the news and radio media. There was considerable press coverage in the local papers; the Meath Chronicle, Drogheda Independent and Drogheda Leader. National papers that covered the story also included 'The Irish Times'' and 'The Irish Independent'. A reporter from the national radio station '2FM' visited the area to view the 'Walking Bus' in operation and interviewed some of the organisers on a live broadcast on 2nd June 2004.
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