Mangaluru: Several city schools, facing severe traffic congestion during school hours and events, have begun encouraging parents to adopt carpooling as a practical solution. The move aims to reduce vehicle pile-ups during peak hours, particularly in campuses with limited parking facilities, where parents are often forced to park on public roads.
Schools take proactive steps to manage peak-hour chaos
Some schools in Mangaluru have already implemented the carpooling initiative, while others are planning to do so in the coming months. The initiative, though voluntary, has received positive feedback from both parents and school administrators.
For example, parents of a CBSE school in Bejai have started sharing rides when attending events, significantly reducing congestion. Fr Johnson L Sequeira, principal of Lourdes Central School, said that his institution has been promoting carpooling for several years.
“Whenever there is an event, we send a note along with event details requesting parents to carpool. It is not a mandatory order from the school but just a request. Our campus lacks enough parking space. More than 80% of parents have opted for carpooling,” Fr Sequeira said.
Groups of parents residing in the same neighbourhood or apartment complexes have begun coordinating shared rides to and from school events. Many believe this not only saves time and fuel but also fosters community bonding among parents.
More schools plan to introduce carpooling
Other schools in the city are also considering similar measures to tackle traffic congestion near their campuses. Fr Rohan D’Almeida, principal of St Aloysius Gonzaga School in Kodialbail, said that while the school has long urged parents to use school bus services, many still prefer private vehicles.
“Over the years, we have requested parents to opt for more school bus facilities for students to reduce the traffic burden. However, parents continue to pick up and drop off their children in their private vehicles. It is the same during events,” he said.
Timing and route management to reduce gridlock
At Canara High School, principal Surekha R Bhat said that carpooling has been suggested several times, but adoption remains mixed. The school has also implemented other traffic management strategies to address congestion.
“To avoid peak-hour congestion, we have implemented a clockwise route system where parents drop off their children at the entrance and move forward, instead of taking a U-turn. Additionally, our two campuses—state board and CBSE—operate at different times to ease the flow. The CBSE section begins at 7.55 am, while the state board starts at 9 am,” she explained.
These staggered schedules, combined with route management and carpooling efforts, have collectively helped improve traffic flow around school zones.
Parents welcome the initiative
Parents too are recognising the benefits of this community-based approach. Allen Rebello, a parent, said that the initiative is both necessary and practical. “It is difficult to navigate near schools when they start and close in the city. Carpooling makes a lot of sense to avoid chaos,” he said.
Outlook
With Mangaluru’s roads becoming increasingly congested, especially around educational institutions, carpooling initiatives are gaining traction as a sustainable traffic management solution. School administrators believe that wider adoption, along with greater awareness among parents, can significantly reduce road congestion, improve safety, and promote responsible commuting habits among families.