Busing vs. Carpooling
A little while ago, a group of parents who live in a city approximately sixteen miles away, met to discuss the possibility of running a school bus from that city to our school. A possible route was charted, costs were calculated, and a survey was sent to the families who might wish to ride the bus. Only a few families indicated that they were "definitely interested" and fewer still, said they were "probably interested” in having bus service. What was most interesting, however, were the number of comments and the type of comments received from parents who favored carpooling.
Here is a sample of the reasons they gave for preferring a car to the bus:
Carpooling allows more contact with the teachers. Being at the school several times a week allows more opportunity to chat with teachers and ask questions about a child's progress.
After listening to these points, I realized that in many ways, we may have a better school for not having a bus. That is not to say that we would never have one, or that it is a mistake for a school to have a bus service, but by having parents physically at the school several times every week, we have generated a tremendous sense of unity and common purpose. If children arrive at school in a better frame of mind, and arrive back home more rested and relaxed, then that is a good thing. In short, carpooling fosters “koinonia” and that is one of our core values.
What we do not know is how many people currently not enrolled at our school would do so if there was a bus. Perhaps more research in the future will make that clear. But in the meantime, I think we would do well to celebrate the advantages of carpooling rather than wishing we had a bus service. There are clearly advantages and it may just be God's best for us after all.
Here is a sample of the reasons they gave for preferring a car to the bus:
Carpooling allows more contact with the teachers. Being at the school several times a week allows more opportunity to chat with teachers and ask questions about a child's progress.
- Carpooling fosters friendships as it allows more contact between parents as they fellowship in the parking lot.
- Carpooling allows more contact with one's children during a prime time part of the day.
- On the way to school, they can work on homework or Scripture memory verses.
- On the way home, they are much more willing to talk about their day, but after taking a long bus ride, they are all talked-out.
- Carpooling provides an atmosphere that is more positive than that of a bus. It is quieter, and the kids get to know each other. There is time to sing or pray.
- Carpooling provides door-to-door service, and it is generally quicker to take the car.
- Carpooling is safer, in many ways. Although the actual driving part may be safer in a bus, the walking to and from the bus stop, and the unsupervised crossing of busy streets is less safe. There are dangers from the weather and other people that are a real concern.
- With carpooling, the costs are spread around so that it is actually less expensive than paying for a bus, especially since on a bus, each child costs an additional amount.
After listening to these points, I realized that in many ways, we may have a better school for not having a bus. That is not to say that we would never have one, or that it is a mistake for a school to have a bus service, but by having parents physically at the school several times every week, we have generated a tremendous sense of unity and common purpose. If children arrive at school in a better frame of mind, and arrive back home more rested and relaxed, then that is a good thing. In short, carpooling fosters “koinonia” and that is one of our core values.
What we do not know is how many people currently not enrolled at our school would do so if there was a bus. Perhaps more research in the future will make that clear. But in the meantime, I think we would do well to celebrate the advantages of carpooling rather than wishing we had a bus service. There are clearly advantages and it may just be God's best for us after all.