STANSBURY ANNOUNCES $2.7 MILLION FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO KEEP ALBUQUERQUE STUDENTS SAFE ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL
WASHINGTON, DC —U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) today announced that Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has been awarded $2,712,525 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program to expand the district’s Vision Zero for Youth Initiative and pilot a Walking School Bus Program at schools across Albuquerque.
The funding will support the expansion of safe, supervised walking routes for students at 40 APS schools over four school years, helping 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,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury. “This $2.7 million federal investment will help APS protect students, support families, and build safer streets across Albuquerque. Programs like Walking School Buses don’t just save lives—they strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and give parents peace of mind.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for this grant and to Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and our entire congressional delegation for advocating for our students,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. “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.”
The grant will fund walking school bus conductors, a program coordinator, route and program development, and essential materials. The initiative will also collect data to help APS scale the program and inform future safety investments across the district.
“This funding is a major win for Albuquerque families and a powerful example of how federal infrastructure dollars can directly improve everyday life,” Stansbury added. “I’m proud to work alongside APS and the Department of Transportation to put student safety first.”