Let the Bus Driver Do the Driving

Marc A. Reynolds - Garden State Green

We live in the richest state in the nation and that comes at a cost.  One of the costs is high property taxes. Our taxes pay for public services and one of those services is our public schools.  Most schools in Morris County offer bus service to all students at no additional cost.  There are some towns that have now added a transportation cost to students who live within walking distance to the school.  Those of you who have to pay extra for bussing, are exempt from this blog post.  Don't forget that private school costs more than likely include transportation. 

What I'm getting at is this, let your kids ride the bus.  Driving your kids to school might seem like a good idea, but it's not helping the health of our planet.  Out here in the suburbs of New York City we have to get in the car to drive most everywhere.  Riding a school bus is one of the few chances our kids get to help curb climate change.  The bus is going to be driving around town anyway, it would be much better for all of us, if the bus was occupied by the students it was slated to service.  More cars on the road means more traffic and more pollution. Most schools in our area have a drop-off\pick-up lane set up in front of the school.  Even though smarter schools are trying to be greener by posting "Idle Free Zone" signs by the drop off\pick up areas, many parents totally ignore them.  Sometimes waiting with their car on idling sometimes up to 20 minutes.  This is wrong.  Not only are these parents wasting time and money, they are adding unnecessarily to climate change.  

Most kids very much enjoy riding the  bus to school.  It's part of the process of growing up and will help the children learn independence.  Many households are teaching their children about how to take respect our planet.  Taking advantage of buses for public as well as private school is a great way for them to learn about public transportation, traffic & pollution.  It's never too young to start teaching our children to be great stewards of our planet. 

If a parent's schedule absolutely does not allow for their child to ride the bus than there isn't much that can be done.  If you happen to be one of those parents, please turn your car off when you get to school waiting for your child to come out.  Every little piece adds up and every educated mind helps us all be a little more Earth smart.