Band 9: The chart below shows the number of trips made by children in one country in 1990 and 2010 to travel to and from school using different modes of transport. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The chart provides information on the number of trips to and from school using various modes of transport in 1990 and 2010.

Overall, the data reveal significant declines in the use of most transport types, except for traveling to school as a car passenger, which saw a substantial increase over the period.

In detail, physical methods of traveling to school were more prevalent in 1990 compared to vehicle usage. Walking was the most popular method among students in 1990, but it experienced a significant drop over two decades, falling to 6 million trips per year and becoming the second most common mode in 2010. Cycling and walking combined with bus usage started at similar levels, but both saw declines of about threefold and twofold, reaching 2 million and 3 million trips per year, respectively, in 2010.

Conversely, the use of vehicles to reach school saw a dramatic rise. The number of trips as a car passenger surged by approximately 7 million, from just over 4 million to 11 million trips per year in 2010, even though it was less popular than walking in 1990. Meanwhile, bus usage also followed the trend of decline, dropping to 5 million trips in 2010.