Most students driven to school

St Kentigern College year 13 student Ben Fraser said most of the pupils in his year and the year below drove themselves to school.

‘‘We’re in a society that really thinks driving is like a demonstration of being successful and being wealthy and [it] doesn’t see public transport as having those same qualities,’’ he said.

‘‘If you’re on public transport, people will see that as being only because you can’t afford to own your own car.

‘‘There is also of course the element that when you get your restricted when you are 16, that is a really exciting opportunity.

‘‘You feel like you are becoming an adult and that you are maturing.’’

Fraser, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Howick Youth Council, said he still takes the bus – not only because he can’t afford a car but because it’s just more convenient.

‘‘I’m in a position where I’m quite lucky because going on public transport is actually quicker for me to get to school than driving. On my route to school we’ve got a T2 lane, which means that my bus doesn’t have to compete with all the cars in the area, and the buses come really regularly.’’

In New Zealand’s biggest and most congested city, Auckland Transport says traffic volumes are reduced by 10 to 15 per cent during the school holidays – representing some 70,000 fewer car trips.

Transport commentator Matt Lowrie, from the Greater Auckland website, said the latest numbers weren’t a surprise because many parents think it’s too dangerous for their children to make their own way to school.

However, Lowrie said it was too simplistic to think reducing vehicle numbers to school holiday levels would see free-flowing traffic all the time.

‘‘As the roads are clearer it encourages more people to drive and drive at times when they might want to travel as opposed to delaying travel, or not making the trip at all. Or making it by another method.’’

Secondary Principals Association president Deidre Shea pointed out that some parents were dropping off children at more than one centre.

Many people also travelled long distances to get to schools or other education facilities far from their homes, she said.

‘‘If folks attended their local school there would be a lot less traffic on the roads during term time.’’

– RNZ