Masters Thesis Abstract: Shannon Ussher
Riding the walking school bus to success: an evaluation of the walking school bus programme within the Christchurch context.
In a pilot project conducted in September 2000, the Christchurch City Council established Walking School Bus networks in four local primary schools. This concept involves a parent walking along a set route to school, collecting other children from stops along the way. The project was part of a wider international response to recent trends which had witnessed a dramatic increase in children being driven to school at the expense of more active and sustainable modes such as walking. A survey of Christchurch primary schools in 1999 revealed that over half the children travelled to school by car, while little more than 30% walked. These figures are concerning for a number of reasons, particularly in relation to the safety, health and sociability of children and the community as a whole.
Since the pilot project, the Christchurch City Council has helped set up Walking School Buses in a total of thirteen local primary schools. However, with no formal monitoring process in place and little contact with schools once the Buses have been established, they are uncertain how many routes are still in operation or the number of children involved. This thesis will therefore address this need for evaluation by assessing the success and sustainability of Walking School Buses within the Christchurch context, and determining what factors have ensured the growth of some routes while others have declined or stopped completely. It is hoped this will assist the Council in the future by ensuring their time and efforts are being well spent.