The VCS Pedibus – the 'Walking School Bus' – enables children to walk to school in accompanied groups at set times and on defined routes. Adult chaperones provide supervision, while children can 'hop on and off' independently.
For Christa Boesinger, Project Manager for Pedibus in German-speaking Switzerland, it's an impressively simple concept that significantly contributes to traffic safety on school routes: 'The idea of the 'VCS Pedibus' has been established in Western Switzerland and Ticino for years. With the Pedibus, children learn safe behaviour in traffic step by step and are prepared to walk to school independently later on. It's high time to roll out this successful concept widely in German-speaking Switzerland.'
In view of increasing traffic congestion and unsafe situations around schools, Pedibus Coordinator Aaron Rudolf von Rohr sees great need for action: 'The VCS Pedibus not only relieves parents but also promotes children's independence, strengthens social contacts, and brings more physical activity into daily life. At the same time, it reduces parental driving and lowers the risk of accidents around school premises.'
Success Model Pedibus
In Romandy and Ticino, the VCS Pedibus has proven to be an important tool for safe school routes: Almost 400 Pedibus routes were operational last year – benefiting more than 4,000 children daily. To specifically establish the Pedibus in German-speaking Switzerland, the VCS has strengthened its team and created two new regional coordination offices: one each for the Basel and Bern regions. This allows for more comprehensive support to municipalities, schools, and parents in the introduction and implementation of Pedibus lines – from planning to organization to daily operations.
From VCS's perspective, safe school routes are the central prerequisite for a child-friendly and sustainable transport policy. By expanding the Pedibus offering, the association makes a tangible contribution, ensuring children can cover their way to school safely, healthily, and independently.
For further information: pedibus.ch
For further information, please contact:
- Christa Boesinger, Project Manager Pedibus German- speaking Switzerland, 031 328 58 25
- Aaron Rudolf von Rohr, Coordinator Pedibus Region Basel, 031 328 58 28
- VCS Media Office, 079 708 05 36, medien@verkehrsclub.ch
VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz
Aarbergergasse 61
P.O. Box
3001 Bern
medien@verkehrsclub.ch