Foot-power bus takes off

IT WAS all aboard the walking school bus at Pakenham Lakeside Primary School on Tuesday.
Students formed the shire’s newest school bus, departing from the corner of Barwon and Shearwater Drive at 8.30am and arriving at school before the bell rang.
Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Pearson and councillors George Blenkhorn, Collin Ross and Brett Owen accompanied the 12 children, five volunteer ‘drivers and conductors’ and the walking school bus mascot for the inaugural journey.
The launch of the bus follows the Cardinia Shire Council’s decision to maintain the service after funding for the program ceased last year. The service has now become a component of the Streets Ahead Program, which encourages school children to move safely around their community.
Cr Pearson said the program was designed to break the modern trend of parents driving their children to school, which was contributing to the nation’s obesity problem.
“The walking school bus is a fun way to learn about the importance of being physically active and the enjoyment of connecting with other people in the community,” he said.
Children were given certificates and give-a-ways to encourage them to walk to school.