Walking School Bus


As part of our TravelWise Travel Plan, Richmond Road School has introduced a Walking School Bus, known as the Richmond Road Ants and a 'Park & Walk' Bus, known as the Arnold All-Stars.

If you wish to join either of these buses please complete the consent form (attached at the bottom of this page) below and email to either Penelope Sinclair or Emma Wilson (see above for email addresses).
 
To find out about setting up a Walking School Bus between your home and Richmond Road School contact Penelope Sinclair - click here to open Email
 
Bus Route Information


Timetable for Richmond Rd Ants
 

Stop

Morning

Afternoon

1

Cnr of Murdoch Rd and Millais St

8.30 a.m.

3.35 p.m.

2

Cnr of Rose Rd and Millais St

8.35 a.m.

3.30 p.m.

3

Cnr Dickens St and Rose Rd (park side)

8.40 a.m.

3.25 p.m.

 

Arrive / Depart Richmond Road Primary

8.50 a.m.

3.10 p.m.

 
* On Friday afternoons, the Walking School Bus carries on up Dickens St to the corner of Dickens and Murdoch

Walking School Bus Guidelines
The following guidelines govern the way our buses operate to ensure the safety and behaviour of the children as well as the consideration of other pedestrians, road users and residents.

Number Of Adults 
There should always be two adults present on the bus – one as driver at the front of the bus, one as conductor at the back. This may vary for buses with less than eight children i.e. Arnold All-Stars.

Wearing Vests 
Adults must wear their vests at all times on the bus in order to be identified and clearly visible. 

Whatever The Weather 
The walking bus should take place whatever the weather – rain or shine! However, if your children will not be walking owing to heavy rain, please contact the driver by 7.30 am or 2:30 pm to let them know – if it turns out that no-one will be using the bus it will save the driver from a wet, lonely walk. If you are the driver on a wet day, you must go ahead unless you have heard that all walkers will not be using the bus. 

Route 
The route has been finalised (please see map above). This route must be adhered to at all times. 

In the afternoon the school bus will depart at 3.10pm from the flagpole on the upper court (outside the toilets) and take the same return route. 

The bus will collect passengers at the points indicated on the map Bus Stops will be marked on lamp posts however the bus will not wait at stops so children wishing to join the bus will need to be at the stop, or visible to the driver, as the bus approaches. 

Obstructions 
If any part of the pathway cannot be used due to a temporary blockage, e.g. roadworks, parked vehicles etc, the adults will need to divert accordingly.  If there are persistent problems with a route these should be reported to Auckland City Council. 

Responsibilities 
Parents are responsible for their children’s safety to and from the designated “bus stops”. Drivers and conductors must stay with the group on the authorised route. Both parties must take care when children join and leave the bus. 

Setting Children's Expectations 
Parents should speak to their own children about road safety and appropriate behaviour before permitting them to join the Walking Bus. 

Emphasise that children must listen to the driver and conductor and obey their instructions – particularly with regard to stopping and crossing at roads. 

While parents are welcome to walk with the bus with siblings, strollers or prams, please note that there are to be NO dogs, scooters, tricycles or bicycles on or near the bus as these are too much of a distraction for walking children.

Driver In Front, Conductor At The Back

The driver will be in the front leading the group and the conductor at the rear to ensure there are no stragglers. No child should walk ahead of the driver or behind the conductor. It is recommended to have the smallest and slowest children in front with the driver. 

The children must walk along the pavement away from the kerb in an orderly manner, and in pairs where possible, allowing other pedestrians to pass.

 Crossing Roads

  1. When you are ready to cross the road, choose a safe place away from parked cars.
  2. Clearly indicate when the children have  to stop and also use verbal cues such as Stop, Look and Cross.
  3. When crossing, gather the children around you away from the kerb until you have decided it is safe to cross.
  4. Walk across looking and listening as you go.
  5. When you have crossed safely, reform your group and continue your journey.
  6. If you have a group of over 25 children you may choose to split the group in two for crossing (The driver with one group and the conductor with the other).

Remember that you are not empowered to stop traffic in order to cross.

If any driver stops to allow the group to cross it is vital that you check that other traffic is aware of what is happening and has stopped before you step on to the road. There is always the danger of other vehicles overtaking the stationary vehicle.


At the school crossing, make sure the whole group is assembled at the crossing before going across.

 Parents’ Responsibilities
  • Parents must have completed a consent form before a child is allowed to travel on the bus. This form includes emergency contact details and an indication of when the child will use the bus.
  • It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the driver of any change to their child’s regular travel pattern.
  • Parents should ensure that their children understand how the bus operates and impress upon them the need to behave sensibly and obey any instructions given by the conductor or driver.
  • Parents are responsible for their children’s safety to and from the designated bus stops.
  • Parents must discuss with their child alternative procedures if they miss the bus for any reason.
  • If your child is having a friend over to play, then their parents must write and sign a note giving their child permission to walk on the bus. If adult to child ratios are exceeded you may be asked to come and walk with the bus.
Children’s Responsibilities
  • Children must behave sensibly and follow instructions.  
  • If for any reason a child misses the bus in the morning, they can catch up with the bus and join it if it is still visible; otherwise they must return home.  If for any reason a child is left behind after school, they must go to the school office and inform a member of staff.
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