Albuquerque Public Schools has received a $2.7 million federal grant to expand safe walking routes and launch a new “Walking School Bus Program.”
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The grant will support APS’s Vision Zero for Youth Initiative, expanding supervised walking routes at 40 schools over four years.
The program aims to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities while improving attendance, student health, and community safety.
“Every child deserves to get to school safely—no matter their neighborhood or how they travel,” Stansbury said. “This $2.7 million federal investment will help APS protect students, support families and build safer streets across Albuquerque.”
APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey said the funding will allow the district to significantly expand safety efforts.
“This $2.7 million grant will make it possible for us to launch 40 additional Walking School Bus Programs over the next four years, significantly boosting our efforts to make streets safer for our students,” Blakey said.
The grant will fund walking school bus conductors, a program coordinator, route and program development, and essential materials. APS will also collect data to help scale the initiative and guide future safety investments.
