School run is now school fun

At the start of Walk to School Week (03.10.05) the UK’s largest ever Walking Bus campaign, run by Kia Motors, has committed to supporting a further 100 walking bus routes – hoping to take the campaign total to 350 supported routes UK wide by the next Walk to School Week in May 2006.

Launched by car company Kia in June 2000, the programme has supported more than 250 Walking Bus routes to date, helping over ten thousand children and parents every week leave their cars at home and take the Walking Bus to school. The campaign works by pairing schools with their local Kia dealership. Dealers then supply the schools with a detailed guide on how to start the route and fluorescent safety clothing sets for children and their adult escorts.

With up to 30 passengers walking on each route, today’s announcement will help an extra 3,000 children to take part in Walking Bus schemes – taking the total to over 11,000 children walking every day.

Encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the Walking Bus is the clever way to travel to school. Without fares and hold-ups, the walking bus promotes regular exercise for children, teaches important road safety skills in a safe environment, reduces traffic congestion and benefits the environment. Parents lead the bus and children follow in a crocodile formation, arriving at school alert and ready to learn.

Paul Williams, managing director of Kia Motors added: "Kia has recognised, and responded to, the concerns of the thinking car owner about road congestion by supporting a simple and fun alternative to short car journeys.

"As the major sponsor of the Walking Bus we handle hundreds of calls every month from customers and the public wanting more information to start their own routes."

To apply for support from Kia’s Walking Bus programme log onto walkingbus.org or visit your local Kia dealership. For nearest dealerships visit kia.co.uk