Gladstone Primary School's walking bus is conducted by parents Anna Percy (front) and Kirsty Ross (back). Photo / Martin Sykes
The number of children walking to school in Auckland is on the rise, bucking the national trend - but still more need to get out of cars, says the Auckland Regional Transport Authority boss.
ARTA chief executive Fergus Gammie said the number of children being driven to school
was rising by about 3 per cent a year around the country.
However, in Auckland, the number of children walking was increasing by around the same figure, he said.
Auckland had the greatest proportion of children walking to school in the country.
Mr Gammie said Auckland was the first city in New Zealand to establish walking school buses and he credited the trend to their rising popularity.
A Ministry of Transport household travel survey, released ahead of this week's Feet First Walk to School Week, showed the proportion of children walking to school dropped from 42 per cent in 1990 to 27 per cent this year.
The proportion being driven jumped from 31 per cent to 52 per cent during the same period.
Land Transport NZ chief executive Wayne Donnelly said the benefits of walking included better fitness, less congestion at the school gate and fewer vehicle emissions.
Parent Sarah Hart said her daughter Amy, 11, saw walking to Pasadena Intermediate daily with friends as a social activity.
"Being late is a crime. It's like 'I'm meeting you at 8 on this corner, and if you're late, the gossip starts without you'."
Getting There
* 20% of Auckland schools actively promote walking and cycling.
* 52% of children are driven to school.
* 27% of children walk to school.
* 3700 Auckland children use walking school buses.
