Walking buses want more dads aboard

More fathers are wanted to volunteer for walking school buses this year.

Auckland Regional Transport Authority figures showed the proportion of fathers joining the walking school bus programme rose from 12 per cent of volunteers in 2006 to 15 per cent last year.

Increasing that number even more was one of the main focuses for this year. At present, 235 walking school bus routes operate in primary schools, with more than 4200 children using them.

In total, 35 new routes were added last year.

More than 1800 adult volunteers keep the wheels of the walking school buses running smoothly. Authority statistics showed the programme saved 1800 car trips each morning and contributed to a CO2 reduction of 150 tonnes a year.

A facilitator has been appointed to work with low decile schools in Auckland to encourage more walking school buses in poorer areas.