Dubai’s transportation authorities have unveiled a strategic initiative to transform student commuting patterns, targeting a major reduction in traffic congestion around educational institutions. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aims to increase school bus and shared transportation usage to 60% of all students within a three-year timeframe, according to senior official Adel Shakri.
The recently launched school bus pooling service represents the cornerstone of this comprehensive strategy. Designed specifically for students aged 14 and above, this innovative service guarantees a maximum 60-minute commute from home to school while offering substantial cost savings. The pilot program, implemented in collaboration with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport, currently serves five schools in Dubai’s Al Barsha area: Bloom Academy, Brighton College, GEMS Founders School, GEMS Al Barsha National School, and Dubai American Academy.
Shakri, director of planning and business development at RTA’s public transport agency, emphasized the dual benefits of the initiative. “Our primary objectives are reducing travel duration and making transportation more affordable for families,” he stated during the Dubai International Project Management Forum. The shared service model is projected to lower costs by 10-15% compared to existing transportation options while simultaneously decreasing commute times by at least 15-20%.
The geographic zone-based approach will group multiple schools within defined areas, optimizing routes and maximizing efficiency. This systematic reorganization of student transportation addresses both environmental concerns and practical commuting challenges faced by parents and educational institutions alike. The initiative represents a significant step in Dubai’s broader urban mobility strategy, potentially serving as a model for other metropolitan areas grappling with school-related traffic congestion.