Background
We developed plans with some schools across the district, to help make it safer and easier for students to walk, bike or scoot to school. Although there was no budget allocated to making physical improvements at the time, we worked with interested schools to make a plan so we're ready to take action when funding becomes available.

School surveys
Thanks to Firth Primary, Matamata Intermediate, David Street School, Te Aroha Primary and Stanley Avenue School for putting your hand up to take part in the school travel plans survey. The feedback helped us learn what people consider the current issues/concerns and barriers to children walking, cycling or scooting to school and ideas for possible improvements and behavioural changes that would help make these journeys safer in the future. The feedback formed the base of each individual school travel plan, with suggestions such as walking school buses, cycle and scooter trains and safety training and education. A copy of the final report was provided to each school.

This original school travel plans project was one of seven funded from the $2.3 million Waka Kotahi Transport Choices funding package. We worked with interested schools to make a plan so we are ready to take action when funding becomes available. No physical improvements were included in this funding.

Transport Choices was part of the Government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF) that supported councils to begin immediate work to develop safer, greener and healthier travel options. In October 2023, NZTA Waka Kotahi paused funding until it received clear direction on the incoming government’s priorities for transport investment. The government stopped further funding in December 2023.