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Walking school buses in the Auckland region: A longitudinal assessment

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  • Collins, Damian
  • Kearns, Robin A.

Abstract

This article examines the development of walking school buses (WSBs) in Auckland, New Zealand, drawing on five annual surveys. Longitudinal analysis reveals sustained growth in the number of routes, and in levels of participation, although activity remains concentrated in the wealthiest neighbourhoods. Parent coordinators identify four key benefits to WSBs: the sense of community, opportunity for exercise/health promotion, reduction in car use and local congestion, and reduced injury risk for child pedestrians. We contend that this form of supervised walking challenges some of the social practices associated with automobile dependence at the same time as it reinforces others.

Suggested Citation

  • Collins, Damian & Kearns, Robin A., 2010. "Walking school buses in the Auckland region: A longitudinal assessment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:17:y:2010:i:1:p:1-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pérez-Martín, P. & Pedrós, G. & Martínez-Jiménez, P. & Varo-Martínez, M., 2018. "Evaluation of a walking school bus service as an intervention for a modal shift at a primary school in Spain," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 1-9.
    2. Cosimo Talò & Terri Mannarini & Alessia Rochira, 2014. "Sense of Community and Community Participation: A Meta-Analytic Review," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(1), pages 1-28, May.
    3. Buckley, Aaron & Lowry, Michael B. & Brown, Helen & Barton, Benjamin, 2013. "Evaluating safe routes to school events that designate days for walking and bicycling," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 294-300.
    4. Kim N. Dirks & Jennifer A. Salmond & Nicholas Talbot, 2018. "Air Pollution Exposure in Walking School Bus Routes: A New Zealand Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Schwanen, Tim & Banister, David & Anable, Jillian, 2012. "Rethinking habits and their role in behaviour change: the case of low-carbon mobility," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 522-532.
    6. Millward, Hugh & Spinney, Jamie & Scott, Darren, 2013. "Active-transport walking behavior: destinations, durations, distances," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 101-110.
    7. Andrews, Gavin J. & Hall, Edward & Evans, Bethan & Colls, Rachel, 2012. "Moving beyond walkability: On the potential of health geography," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(11), pages 1925-1932.
    8. Lang, Debbie & Collins, Damian & Kearns, Robin, 2011. "Understanding modal choice for the trip to school," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 509-514.
    9. Nikitas, Alexandros & Wang, Judith Y.T. & Knamiller, Cathy, 2019. "Exploring parental perceptions about school travel and walking school buses: A thematic analysis approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 468-487.
    10. Ermagun, Alireza & Samimi, Amir, 2015. "Promoting active transportation modes in school trips," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 203-211.
    11. Kelly, J. Andrew & Fu, Miao, 2014. "Sustainable school commuting – understanding choices and identifying opportunities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 221-230.
    12. Schwanen, Tim & Lucas, Karen & Akyelken, Nihan & Cisternas Solsona, Diego & Carrasco, Juan-Antonio & Neutens, Tijs, 2015. "Rethinking the links between social exclusion and transport disadvantage through the lens of social capital," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 123-135.

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