Sizing up school travel: what’s best for you?
We are always moving.
When you stop and think about it, our lives nowadays are dependent on transport more than ever before, which prompts the big question - are you making the right decision when it comes to daily commute as a student?
And no, this isn’t one of those articles where the final takeaway is that you should hitch that schoolbag up and walk it all the way to school - unless you are one of the lucky few who live within walkable distance - so you can rest easy!
I decided to interview some fellow students at The Tiffin Girls’ School about their daily travel, in an attempt to get a glimpse of the current school transport situation.
“Although the coach is better in terms of comfort as I was always guaranteed a seat, I would still choose public transport, especially for their new electric buses”, commented Shaambhavee, who switched from a private coach to the bus.
As a seasoned bus traveller, I would definitely agree with this, as the new electric buses significantly help reduce carbon footprint - bringing us one step closer to a greener planet.
I then asked a friend of mine who takes the bike to share some insight:
“I cycle to school every morning, and although it can be a bit intimidating going on big roads, I would say it is definitely on the more sustainable side”, says Daria.
And finally, in the efforts to encapsulate the full range of school transport, I interviewed a friend who takes the train:
“There are definitely some things that can be improved about the train, in terms of safety, as it can be daunting travelling by yourself at times,” said Juanita, “but generally, cost notwithstanding, it’s a very reliable transport”.
There are so many factors to consider when it comes to the subject of school transport, such as sustainability, safety, cost, efficiency and comfort.
Unfortunately we do not live in a world where safety, sustainability, and other factors are 100% guaranteed, so it is very much a matter of gauging the situation and choosing the transport that makes the most sense.
On a side note, I have recently heard that running has become a bit more of a popular fad, so maybe that could be another thing to consider in your next school morning - needless to say, in spite of its countless benefits, I can assure that you won’t catch me running to school in the mornings, just yet.
Overall, in the broader sense, the common consensus is that the free public bus ticks nearly all the boxes, and therefore it has rightfully taken the place of the most preferred mode of transport amongst school-going children.
