Students at three New West schools have travelled thousands of kilometres on foot as part of a Walking School Bus program.
TransLink kicked off the 2024/2025 school year by announcing the Walking School Bus program is being offered at seven schools this fall, with more schools expected to join in the new year. Three of the participating schools are in New Westminster.
Jawn Jang, a media relations advisor and host of What’s the T: The TransLink Podcast, said Ecole Qayqayt Elementary, Queen Elizabeth Elementary and Queensborough Middle School have returned to the WSB program for this school year.
“École Qayqayt Elementary has reportedly seen an overwhelming interest this fall with over 60 families interested in participating,” Jang said in an email to the Record. “Queen Elizabeth Elementary and Queensborough Middle School are also returning this year and actually share the same Walking School Bus route given the schools' proximity to each other.”
According to TransLink, the three schools combined for approximately 7,700 kilometres during the 2023/2024 school year, which led to an estimated reduction of 1,800 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions.
What's a fun way to get to school? For these kids, it's walking together!https://t.co/iNvrA5LbVy
— News from TransLink (@TransLinkNews) September 4, 2024
Like a traditional school bus, TransLink said a Walking School Bus consists of students travelling to and from school along a designated route, picking up or dropping off students along the way. Students are accompanied by trained walk leaders to ensure safety.
“Building healthy habits at an early age can have a tremendous positive impact,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said in a news release. “Through this program, students are staying active, making new friends, reducing traffic congestion, learning about their communities and pedestrian safety.”
According to TransLink, the seven schools currently involved in the program travelled a total of 14,400 kilometres across Metro Vancouver during the 2023/24 school year. The program is co-funded by TransLink, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, participating municipalities, and school districts and is delivered by the Society of Children and Youth.
New Westminster city council has expressed interest in seeing the program expanded to other schools in the city.
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