School transport - car sharing and pooling

In the UK every day there are 10 million empty car seats on the road. How many pupils come to your school by car with only their parent and three empty seats?

Car sharing and pooling presents us with a realistic option for those who live too far away from school to walk or cycle, or in those cases where the local environment is simply not conducive, as is the case in many rural areas. School Travel plans are not about setting unrealistic goals, it is in accepting that some pupils may need to come to school by car and in some cases car sharing and pooling presents a potential solution to reducing the number of journeys made.

As with walking and cycling, car sharing and pooling doesn't have to be every journey, every day. Car sharing and pooling for one day a week reduces journeys by 20%. Many people are sceptical about Car sharing and pooling and think it will mean they have to allow their child to make a journey with a stranger. Will that person have insurance? Do they have a valid M.O.T for their vehicle? These concerns are all legitimate.

To try and overcome many of these issues the nationwide car share organisation, Liftshare| (new window) set about devising a school run car share scheme where parents can feel confident it is a realistic option for the journey to school.

Bedfordshire County Council has become part of this and can make the scheme available to schools across the County. Visit School-run.org| (new window) for more information. Alternatively contact your school travel advisor and we can run through the scheme details with you.