Volunteer Peter Bast, rear, readies to lead the walking school bus to Mary MacKillop Primary School.
CASEY primary schools are being given the opportunity to participate in a walking school bus program.
The City of Casey is inviting three new primary schools to take part in the program – a school bus powered not by an engine but by legs.
The bus means the children walk in a group to school, with an adult ‘driver’ in the front and an adult ‘conductor’ at the rear.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said council has allocated $26,100 for three additional schools to come on board.
There are already six local primary schools involved in the program, Maramba Primary School in Narre Warren, Mary MacKillop Primary School in Narre Warren North, Cranbourne West Primary School, Rangebank Primary School in Cranbourne, Hampton Park Primary School, and Hills-meade Primary School in Narre Warren.
“The Walking School Bus program is really catching on because it has great benefits,” Cr Bradford said.
“Not only does it teach children about traffic safety but it also gives them healthy exercise at the same time.”
He said the bus also meant less traffic congestion around schools which means a safer environment and less pollution, while children and adults form new and positive relationships and people begin to recognise that streets are safer to walk on.
A walking school bus expression of interest form will be distributed to all primary schools throughout the City of Casey in September. Parents, residents and community members are encouraged to discuss the opportunity of running the program at their child’s or nearest school.
The closing date for schools to express their interest is Friday, 15 September.
For more information contact walking school bus project officer Honesty Mason on 9705 5200 or email hmason@casey.vic.gov.au.
