It may feel like it was yesterday that summer officially began and you had six long weeks ahead of you to enjoy. But just like that, September has arrived and we’re back into the swing of things, which means you’re heading back to school.

One thing you might need to consider is what the best way to travel to school is. Living in Greater Manchester means that there are often multiple ways to travel. With a city-region as well connected as this, you’re spoilt for choice!

This might also mean having different plans for different days. Maybe if the weather is nice, you plan to walk; but if it’s raining, you could hop on a bus or tram. Or you could just mix it up based on how you feel each day. A bit of variety is always nice and breaks up a routine!

So, let’s have a think about all your options. For each option, we’ve explained why it could be right for you, as well as some things you’ll need to think about.

Walking or wheeling

Walking is the original method of transport! Some of you may be using wheelchairs or other mobility devices which use footpaths. If you can get to school by walking or wheeling, it’s a great choice.

Why walking or wheeling could be right for you

If there’s a safe route available for you to walk or wheel to school, it’s really worth considering. It’s a wonderful way to get your daily movement in – the benefits of moving go on and on and on. It helps you in all sorts of ways – physically and mentally.  The NHS says that we should be doing 150 minutes of exercise a week. If walking to and from school 5 days a week takes you 30 minutes per day – that’s your weekly exercise done!

It also is a very cost effective and environmentally considerate thing to do. Walking is free and does not contribute negatively to the climate!

It’s a win for the bank balance, the planet and your general health.

Things to bear in mind

If you’ve grown up in the UK, you don’t need to be told how unpredictable British weather can be.  Walking or wheeling during the winter months can be particularly challenging, especially when the weather conditions are quite rough.

Of course, we can prepare for different circumstances to make the journey easier. That could be making sure you’re wearing appropriate shoes, carrying a raincoat or umbrella or making sure you’re wearing sunscreen.

Things can be tricker when there’s ice on the ground, or there’s a storm of some kind. So, make sure you’re picking the safest travel route on those days. Mother nature is not to be messed with!

Catching the bus or tram

Lots of people use public transport to get to school. Whether this is a public bus, a dedicated school bus or coach, or a tram, there’s lots of options.

Obviously, you’ll need to check the routes to understand if public transport will work for you. Many schools are on bus routes, and you may find that the tram is close enough for you to use, too. If you’re not sure what’s in your area, check out Transport for Greater Manchester’s travelling to school page to find travel advice dedicated to your school.

Why catching the bus or tram could be right for you

There are lots of benefits to using public transport. For a start – you could access a range of discounted or free child fares, so it’s cheaper! Depending on how old you are, there are a range of dedicated schemes for young people that offer free or cheaper travel. Find out more on TfGM’s website (plus learn about other schemes!), but the main schemes are:

• Igo card (5-16 years old). The Igo card unlocks cheaper child tickets – you’ll need one to prove you’re eligible for these discounted fares.
• Free school pass. If you’re under 16 and travel more than 3 miles to school, you could be eligible for a free school pass – giving you free travel on certain routes.
• Our Pass (16-18 years old). For those between 16 and 18, Our Pass offers free bus travel and discounted tram tickets, plus freebies, discounts and other experiences!

As well as the financial aspect, travelling via bus or tram is much better for the environment. A double decker bus could have a maximum of 70 or 80 people on the bus at any time. Think if everyone on the bus decided to travel in an individual car instead? That’s a lot of emissions!

It can be quite a sociable experience to travel by bus or tram, as well. Having an end of day debrief with your friends can be satisfying way to end your day, especially if you didn’t have a nice time in school that day. Likewise, having a group of mates to walk with can offer you the same thing.

Things to bear in mind

Of course, for some people public transport may not be a good option. This is particularly true if there aren’t any routes near you. Having said that – the public transport network in Greater Manchester is expanding all the time, so even if there aren’t routes now, there might be in the future.

Buses or trams can also sometimes be quite busy, and for some people this could be a bit overwhelming or worrying. If this is a problem for you, consider travelling a bit earlier or later than other people as this could mean you’re on a much quieter service.

Driving

You might be fortunate enough to have someone in your life that can give you a lift to school.

Why driving could be right for you

Travelling by car can be efficient and comfortable. You can create the environment that you enjoy. Travelling by car can give some people the peace and quiet they want in the morning. Or maybe you can have your own personal concert without disturbing anyone.

Things to bear in mind

If you’re travelling by car during the busiest time of day, there’s a high chance you’ll get stuck in traffic. Sometimes it can be so busy that you’re being overtaken by people on foot!

Although it might not be you that’s paying, it can be a lot of money to run a car!

There’s also an environmental factor. Driving can contribute negatively in many ways to our environment. Having many cars on the road at once creates more pollution. An effective way to decrease pollution is to use less vehicles.

One way to combat this is by something called ‘carpooling’. You might have heard of this before. It’s when people decide to use one car to travel to a location, generally when they live close by each other or know each other well.

However, it’s important to remember that this needs to be arranged by the adult in your life, so that they can ensure your safety.

Looking for more information?

For more resources and support, head over to Transport for Greater Manchester’s travelling to school resource page for all you need to know about travelling to school.