School travel causes major traffic jams in Auckland, with school car journeys estimated as doubling since the mid-1980s.
Every morning 245,172 children travel to Auckland schools, over half these trips is made by car.
There have been 48% fewer crashes involving pedestrians around TravelWise schools, and more than $132m has been spent on safety infrastructure such as pedestrian and cycling improvements.
TravelWise has made a difference
School Travel plans, developed as part of the TravelWise programme, have helped:
Reduce car travel by 4.76 per cent taking 7,205 car trips off the road in the mornings
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.
There has been a 4.76 per cent decrease in car trips made at schools using travel plans. As more people decide not to use cars, these results get even better.
TravelWise, based on similar overseas programmes, is managed by Auckland Transport (formerly Auckland Transport Authority) in partnership with Auckland Council, New Zealand Transport Agency, Ministry of Health, NZ Police and RoadSafe Auckland.
Different options to get to school
Schools, which join the programme, examine existing travel choices and explore other ways to get to school instead of by car. Options may include walking, cycling or public transport. The programme helps reduce travel-related crashes as fewer cars are at the school gate. Other traffic changes are made using engineering or enforcement.
Students, parents and teachers develop a school travel plan with support from staff at Auckland Transport. School communities are asked for their views on barriers to safe and active travel to school. These surveys form the basis of a customised school travel plan.
Actions in a travel plan may include:
• Setting up Walking School Buses (for primary schools)
• Putting in safe pedestrian crossings and cycle ways
• Promoting carpooling, walking, cycling and bus travel
• Providing road safety information and programmes to parents and students
• Enforcing parking and speed restrictions and dangerous driving behaviour
If you would like to learn more about the TravelWise programme or would like your school to be involved please contact your local Auckland Transport area office.
Email: AT School Travel South AT School travel North AT School Travel West AT School Travel Central