BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) reported that its Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program continues to grow as the 2023-2024 academic year comes to an end, with 72 additional schools joining SRTS since last September. 

 

This includes the addition of Lenox Memorial Middle and High School.

 

The total number of partner schools across Massachusetts is now 1,171, located in 284 communities and serving approximately 590,000 students. The program has seen consistent annual growth in its number of school partners for the past 19 years.

 

Sponsored by MassDOT and with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, the Massachusetts SRTS Program promotes safer routes for students to get to school through a focus on the six E's:  Education, Encouragement, Evaluation, Engagement, Engineering, and Equity. The program hosts annual flagship events such as Massachusetts' Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day in May.  

 

"I want to commend our Safe Routes to School Program team for their dedication to safety and for finishing the school year strong as SRTS continues to expand its network across Massachusetts," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Parents deserve to have peace of mind when it comes to students walking and biking to school, and SRTS will continue to work with school communities to help make our roadways more equitable for different modes of transportation."