Busy parents across the UK could save hours on the school run if a new proposal allowing them into bus lanes is rolled out. Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have launched a campaign to allow mums and dads to bypass queueing traffic by using bus lanes when dropping their kids off at school.
Parents are often held up on the congested roads and many need to make it on time to work afterwards too. Allowing parents to make use of the often empty bus lanes on the school run would save valuable time and avoid children being late to their lessons because of traffic, the experts say.
The majority of bus lanes are already opened up to taxis and motorcycles on UK roads. Giving those on the school run the chance to drive in these lanes will still allow buses to run on scheduled times while also ensuring students aren’t late to school, according to LeaseCar.
Cars with children in the back during the morning school run hours of 8 and 9 would be able to use the bus lane without worrying about congestion or a hefty fine, under the proposal. Unfortunately for many pupils they can only rely on the daily car journey to get to school, with a lack of investment in school buses, safe bike lanes - and less than 40% of kids are able to get to school on foot.
So for many, the only option to get to school is by car, and the LeaseCar.uk campaign to ease congestion on the school run would help reduce valuable time lost in lessons for kids up and down the country. Since the COVID-19 lockdowns many more people are able to work from home, which has in turn reduced the everyday traffic on UK roads during rush hour.
But congestion is still a daily issue for many Brits and many will agree that the roads don’t seem to be any clearer than they were before the pandemic. Easing bus lanes restrictions and allowing school run drivers to use the often empty lane would also help ease up congestion for other road users.
Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “Parents and carers up and down the UK can really relate to the frustration of the school run, with your kids arguing in the back telling you you’ve forgotten their PE kit or lunchbox. “It’s easy to get frustrated and getting stuck in traffic knowing they’ll be late to school isn’t helping anyone.
“Our campaign to allow school runners to drive in bus lanes will not only help to ease congestion on other road users getting to work during rush hour, but also stop so many children from consistently being late to school and missing education simply because of the traffic.
“Bus lanes often allow motorcycles and taxis, and it can be really annoying knowing your kids are going to be late to school because you’re stuck in a queue whilst other vehicles sail past in the often empty bus lanes. It poses an obvious question for local authorities, if getting kids to school on time is a priority: why aren’t parents on the school run allowed in bus lanes too?
“Many pupils don’t have the luxury of living a walkable distance around the corner from school and public transport is too unreliable for many.
“Opening bus lanes up to parents on the school run seems the most obvious and easy answer, and will ensure children aren’t late to school and missing out on valuable education.”
