More than 200,000 young Aucklanders signed up to Travelwise

Young Aucklanders are getting the Travelwise message with more than 200,000 students now taking part in the programme.

Since last year’s awards, 75 new schools have joined Travelwise bringing the total number of participating schools in Auckland to 400. That equates to a 23 per cent increase since last year.

The success of the programme was celebrated last night at an awards ceremony at Eden Park where schools were presented with certificates by Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

Auckland Transport’s Travelwise programme is about encouraging schools and students to travel more actively, safely and sustainably to and from school. It aims to raise road safety awareness and to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the school community.

“Since last year’s celebrations Travelwise has gained even more momentum with the total number of students involved now sitting at a resounding 202,000,” says the Mayor.

“Travelwise is at the very heart of what we are trying to achieve in Auckland. With the number of car trips taking children to school doubling over the past 30 years, the result was traffic chaos, accidents and poor child health.
‘We’re starting to see that trend reverse thanks to the hard work of Auckland Transport and the strong commitment from Auckland’s schools.”
Schools north of the bridge came out on top last night with an impressive 31 gold awards. Schools in the South collected 11 gold awards while Central West schools took home five golds.

Gold is the highest award, reserved for schools that achieve a four per cent or more reduction in the number of car trips to school. It also recognises schools that make a significant difference to traffic congestion, road safety and the well-being of their students, communities and the environment.

Auckland Transport’s Community Transport Manager Matthew Rednall says about one third of all traffic at peak times is school related. “These schools are making a real contribution towards reducing school car travel. All of this positive work has provided benefits like daily exercise, improved safety and reduced congestion and pollution outside the school gates.”

“We applaud their work and know it has taken the combined efforts of school staff, students, parents, caregivers and their community to bring about their success,” says Mr Rednall.

School travel plans have helped:

Reduce car travel by taking 12,736 car trips off the road in the morning peak.
Save 2,596,000kms in car travel, about $20.35m a year on congestion, and about 150,000 litres of fuel
Reduce CO2 emissions by 735 tonnes each year.
Improve safety around Auckland schools – crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists aged 5-13 have reduced by 58% at Safe School Travel Plans.
To date, more than $132 million has been spent on safety infrastructure such as pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes around schools.
A total of 241 awards were presented last night including 13 special awards.

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