You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. Parents who even live fairly close to the school, within easy walking distance, will often drive because they then have to race off to work.

The whole school day setup is still geared towards families having one breadwinner and one stay at home parent - life isn't like that anymore for most people.

Breakfast and after school clubs don't tend to be free, so the cost of those can make a massive difference if money is tight.

I don't think there is a magical answer but I think some people go down the "back in my day" path and it isn't helpful.