RTA unveils improvements in school transport services in Dubai

Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, Public Transport Agency has announced a new set of improvements in the school transport sector to further enhance the huge role of this sector.

The introduction of these improvements is indicative of the special care and attention accorded to school transport as it directly relates to future generations.

Elaborating on the improvements, Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at the RTA Public Transport Agency, said, "Starting from April 1st this year, an electronic tracking system using GPS spatial technology will be operational. School management will be allowed to modify the seating of large school buses (more than 50 seats) by fitting them with 2 x 3 seats provided that 2 fire extinguishers, 2 attendants, and 2 First Aid kits are provided.

"Due to safety and security implications, and to increase the capacity of school buses, March 1st had been set as a deadline for abolishing the use of Minibuses (less than 6.2 meters in length) in school transport services, following the granting of an 18-month grace period to schools for phasing out these sorts of buses from school transport fleets. The implementation of the School Transport Law has played a crucial role in maintaining the safety of different age groups of students using school buses. This is evident from the drop in the number of annual accidents recorded in this sector by 10 percent. This sizable drop is attributed to the productive cooperation between RTA, school managements, school transport operators, and parents, based on the compliance of school managements and school transport companies with the provisions and stipulations of the School Transport Law, as well as the continuing campaigns launched by the RTA," continued Shakri.

"Among the key achievements made by the school transport sector in Dubai is the cutting of fatalities to zero in 2015. The implementation of the School Transport Law has brought about multiple dividends and triggered positive impacts bearing social, environmental, economic and educational dimensions. The social aspect has motivated various segments to embrace the culture of mass transport, and boosted their confidence in school transport, let alone the deployment of 50 buses customised to help disabled students enjoy a safe and smooth mobility experience," concluded Shakri.