By Lookout Staff

August 6, 2025 -- The new school year is around the corner, and the City is revving up to help students get to school safely, including unveiling new pedestrian improvements around six District campuses.

Students returning to District schools on August 21, as well as Pali High students returning to their temporary Downtown campus, will also continue to get free rides on public transit and help crossing key intersections.

"Getting our community where they need to go safely is our top priority, especially for students and their caretakers walking, biking and taking public transit to school," City Transportation officials said in a blog Tuesday.

Using the regional GoPass program, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students get free rides on Big Blue Bus and LA Metro trains and buses, transit officials said.

In addition to using the pass to get to school, students can use it to hop on a bus or train "for any other purpose, including on weekends."

Crossing guards will also be back to help students navigate critical intersections at every SMMUSD campus.

In addition, the City has completed pedestrian improvements at Edison Language Academy, the Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse (SMASH) and at John Muir, McKinley, Grant and Franklin elementary schools.

The safety improvements include 19 curb extensions, 37 ADA curb ramp upgrades and updated roadway stripping and markings that include 50 refreshed crosswalks. The City has also added one flashing beacon and three new trees.

The City will resume its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programming, which "promotes active modes of transportation to schools by equipping local school staff, parents, and students with education and tips on best practices."

"Parents and students are strongly encouraged to carpool, walk, bike, or take transit," City officials said.

The Police Department provides school safety tips, "including information for drivers as they navigate the streets around our schools." To check out the safety tips, click here