Safe Bus Routes to School Act

Key Points

• This bill expands the existing Safe Routes to School program so it covers school bus riders, not just kids who walk or bike. It adds a formal definition of "school bus route" and allows program funds to be used for making bus stops and routes safer.
• The bill funds construction projects to make bus stops physically safer, including new sidewalks, better crosswalks, traffic calming features, and dedicated waiting areas so students are not standing near fast-moving traffic.
• The bill also supports non-construction safety efforts like public awareness campaigns, traffic enforcement near bus routes, and teaching students about bus safety rules.
• By adding Safe Routes to School projects to the Highway Safety Improvement Program's eligible project list, states can more easily tap into federal highway dollars for school bus safety improvements.