Auckland Transport Media Release 7 April 2010

Travelwise Programme Proving A Big Success

To date 7,200 cars have been taken off Auckland's roads every morning, through Auckland Transport's Travelwise school programme The inaugural awards for the programme will be held this evening at the Civic Theatre.

The programme, run by Auckland Transport, aims to reduce car trips to school by encouraging parents and children to increase active and sustainable travel choices such as walking and improving road safety around primary and intermediate schools.

Every morning 245,172 children travel to Auckland schools, over half these trips is made by car. Auckland Transport's Community Transport Manager, Mathew Rednall says, about one third of all traffic at peak times is congestion related.

"Further reducing congestion associated with school drop-offs and pick-ups will go a long way to freeing up Auckland's roads, particularly as our population continues to grow. Encouraging children to walk to school is also a healthy choice which can be carried on into adulthood.

"Twenty five new schools have signed up to Auckland Transport's programme to reduce the number of car trips made by parents at peak times and improve road safety in the five months since Auckland Transport began, bringing the total number of schools to 200.

"As more schools come on board and develop their own travel plans we hope to see a further decline in car use for journeys to school. "Auckland Transport works with each school to come up with a practical school travel plan that can include setting up a walking school bus, putting in safe pedestrian crossings and road safety training. Schools receive a resource kit and on-going support from Auckland Transport", says Mr Rednall. School Travel plans have helped:

* Reduce car travel by 4.76 per cent taking 7,205 car trips off the road in the mornings * Save 2,596,000kms in car travel, about $20.35m a year on congestion, and about 150,000 litres of fuel * Reduce CO2 emissions by 735 tonnes each year. There have also been 48 per cent fewer crashes involving pedestrians around Travelwise schools, and more than $132m has been spent on safety infrastructure like pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes. ENDS Media are welcome to attend the inaugural Travelwise School awards at the Civic Theatre, Auckland. Schools will receive either a Gold, Silver or Bronze status award. What: Travelwise School Awards When: Thursday 7 April Time: 6pm - 8pm Where: Civic Theatre, Wintergarden room

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport is a Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council. It is responsible for all of the region's transport services (excluding state highways) - from roads and footpaths, to cycling, parking and public transport. Among its main tasks are: § To design, build and maintain Auckland's roads, ferry wharves, cycleways and walkways. § Co-ordinate road safety and community transport initiatives such as school travel § Plan and fund bus, train and ferry services across Auckland.

For more information go to www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz.

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