Should we offer petrol money for daily school run?

[lechatnoir]

I'm in a dilemma about what, if anything, I should offer a friend towards petrol for taking my daughter to and from school every day. On the face of it of course we should contribute, but, we didn't ask and actively not get bus passes due to ridiculous costs (£500 per child) and living what we consider acceptable walking/cycling distance*. DC were expecting to walk or cycle with us doing the odd lift /paying bus fare in bad weather - none particularly wild about the idea but understood & accepted it.

In the first week of term DD's best friend offered the lift & as you can imagine she was delighted - I saw no reason to say no but now feel obliged to contribute. I'm loathe to ask in case she says 'oh great £25 a week should cover it?" but likewise don't want to appear ungrateful as it is much easier for DD.

Should I pay something or just buy a nice thank you gift at Christmas?

*DD goes to furthest away school at 2.3 miles (others 1.4miles) We are roughly en-route to her school but it does require a diversion through a housing estate rather than main road so there is some disruption to their journey.

I've been in this position a couple of times. In the end, I just accept that the other mum really doesn't mind and buy them a bottle of wine or some flowers at the end of term.
Now I'm the one giving the lift and, again, I genuinely don't mind

Think I'd acknowledge it and ask if she wants petrol money. She's probably going to say no. In that case I'd buy her an expensive gift at end of term, to say thank you.

My feeling is the other patent would refuse the offer of petrol money and is pleased to have someone who can help out when needed. But I would tell my child not to take the piss and walk to a pick up point to avoid the detour. That bit would make me feel awkward about it all.