Survey reveals demand for staggered opening times for schools

More than two thirds of parents are in favour of staggered start times for schools, a new survey has found.

The study by electronic tag provider Easytrip found that more than 75% of commuting times have increased by 30-40 minutes as pupils returned to school across the country.

Of the 700 people who took part in the research, 92% said they drive their children to school, with more than half of those trips less than 5 kilometres.

Those taking children to school cited a number of reasons, including that the school is on the way to work, it is safer for the children or they are regularly running late.

Many parents believe that staggered opening times would ease traffic congestion and journey times in the morning.

When asked about alternative time saving methods, survey respondents also cited trialling the ‘walking bus’ (where two or more parents walk children to school in files of two) for primary school goers, while most of the pre-school commuters tried car-pooling.

The majority of respondents (58%) also said that 2km should be the minimum distance for driving children from their home to school.

"As our survey reveals, the school run is certainly no picnic for those of us who use the roads in the mornings," said Ciara O’Brien, head of operations at easytrip.

"However, as we are in the business of making life easier for motorists, in order to reduce rush hour congestion, we would advise, in particular, for those ‘school runners’ who travel only a short distance of perhaps less than 2km to consider alternative options that would make life easier for us all.

"Other efficient and safe options for doing the school run include car-pooling or the ‘walking bus’” .

"Availing of flexi-time at work, by going into work earlier or later in the morning, is also an option for commuters in avoiding morning rush hour traffic.

"No matter where you’re travelling to, it’s vitally important for all drivers to be mindful when driving to or past schools, reduce your speed, be patient and pay attention."