North Shore City schools take off with TravelWise

Media release

North Shore City schools take off with TravelWise
July 13, 2007

North Shore schools are queuing up to get on board the successful TravelWise programme, North Shore City’s travelwise co-ordinator, Nicola Maire, says.

The programme, run by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA), in partnership with the council, encourages students to walk, cycle or bus to school to help reduce traffic congestion and improve students’ safety and fitness.

“We now have 35 TravelWise schools, with many more waiting to join the programme,” Ms Maire says.

“An evaluation of TravelWise in North Shore City last year found we reduced family car use at TravelWise schools by 4.1 per cent – the best outcome in the Auckland region, and a great result compared to a national rise of three per cent,” she says.

“Next week we’re opening two new school speed zones, at Campbells Bay and Manuka primary schools, bringing the total to seven schools with safer road environments at school travel times. Another three schools will have new speed zones in the next month.”

School speed zones require drivers to slow down to 40km/h around schools during school travel times to create a safer environment for students to walk and cycle to school.

“The speed zones are just one of many measures we’re taking through the TravelWise programme to reduce car use and make our roads safer for students walking and cycling.

“That includes helping set up walking school buses, of which we now have 80. Manuka Primary is launching a new walking school bus this week to coincide with the opening of its school speed zone.

“Other measures include adding ‘share with care’ paths for students to cycle off-road, footpath upgrades, pedestrian refuges and new signalised pedestrian crossings.

“Each school is different, so the TravelWise programme involves working closely with students, staff and parents to tailor school travel plans to the complex needs of individual schools,” Ms Maire says.

North Shore City’s transport strategy and planning group manager, Archer Davis, is urging all North Shore schools to look at the way their students and staff travel.

“In the next ten years we will see a fundamental shift in the way Aucklanders travel, as congestion and petrol prices escalate further and people demand a better deal for the environment,” he says.

“Schools are places where young people learn about life. The TravelWise programme teaches critical lessons that will stand our young people in good stead into the future.”

ENDS

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