Benefits of travelling independently

Choosing to walk, ride or use public transport to get to and from school offers many benefits.

• Keeps you fit and healthy.
• Provides a great opportunity to socialise with friends.
• Builds confidence with navigating the traffic environment.
• Improves concentration and readiness to learn.
• Supports mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
• Reduces traffic congestion around schools.
• Contributes to environmental sustainability.

Responsibilities for travelling independently

• Follow the road rules.
• Make safe choices in the road and traffic environment.
• Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings in the road and traffic environment.
• Minimise distractions and avoid mobile phone use while travelling.
• Be organised to allow enough time to get to school safely without rushing
• Plan and practise safe routes to and from school.

Have a backup-plan

Talk with your family about what to do if things don’t go as planned. This could include:

• running late
• missing the bus, train, metro, light rail or ferry
• catching the wrong bus, train, metro, light rail or ferry
• losing your travel pass
• wet weather making travel harder
• losing your phone or having a flat battery
• feeling unsafe while travelling