Walking Buses in Medway

Su Negus, Medway Council’s principal road safety officer, launched the first Walking Bus in 2000. As a parent governor she was concerned with the level of congestion outside her son’s school. She rallied round and a year later managed to launch two Walking Buses. Her hard work was commended that year with the Pride of Medway Award.

Now the Walking Buses are ran with the support of the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group.

A Medway Walking Bus must have a minimum of two adults: one at the front of the bus to ‘drive’ and one at the back to ‘conduct’, with a ratio of one adult to every six children. All bus passengers wear brightly coloured tabards to make them visible to road users.

Powered by good old-fashioned legwork, they are an excellent opportunity for children and their parents to and enjoy a safe and sociable school run. They are a good ‘pull’ for the press as they provide a positive news story and good photo opportunity.

Children and volunteers walk to school along a set risk assessed route, picking up or dropping off passengers at specific stops on their journey to and from school.

For families who live too far away to walk, parents are encourage to park their cars at one of the designated pick up/drop off points and join the bus to avoid congestion.