Increased School Bus Safety for the New Academic Year in Dubai

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced tighter safety measures to school bus specifications. At the same time, bus operating companies equipped buses with additional safety features.

In Dubai alone, more than 150,000 students use around 5,000 school buses every day.

On April 1, a GPS tracking system became mandatory on Dubai school buses. Schools and bus operators were also allowed to modify the seating of large school buses (more than 50 seats) by fitting them with “2+3 seats”, meaning two seats on one side of the central aisle and three on the other, in each row.

School buses can carry up to 60 students, unlike the current 2+2 seating which allows only up to 40 students on board. This means there will be fewer buses on the roads. The new arrangement is allowed if the bus has two fire extinguishers, two first-aid kits and two attendants.

School Transport Services (STS), the UAE’s biggest school bus operator, is introducing this academic year a free smart app for parents who can track the bus boarding status of their child, the bus location and updates in real time. They will also be able to pay bus fees through the app.

The private company is also installing rear cameras as an aid to drivers while reversing. New buses in its fleet also have a three-point seat belt system compared to the lap seat belts, while some buses can stream live on-board video to the STS control room. On other buses, the three cameras can record for 967 hours (around four months).

RTA School Transport Manual requires:

• The floor of the bus aisle must be covered by non-flammable and non-slippery rubber.
• Maximum speed of the school bus shall not exceed 80km/h and each bus should be equipped with a speed control device.
• Each bus must contain first aid kit proportionate to the number of seats.
• The bus must be fitted with two manual fire extinguishers if the school bus is 10 metres long or more.
• There must be secure emergency exits on the right, left, back and top sides of the bus, with clear signs indicating these exits.

Source: GN