Dubai Introduces School Bus Pooling Initiative to Alleviate Costs and Traffic

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has unveiled a pilot program for school bus pooling aimed at enhancing school transportation services, alleviating traffic congestion, and lowering costs for families.

This innovative initiative seeks to raise the percentage of students utilizing school buses to 60%, an increase from the current 49%, while alleviating traffic around schools during peak hours.

As per RTA, this shared bus initiative could lower school transport fees by 10 to 15%, with additional discounts for families enrolling two or three children in the program.

The RTA also noted that this initiative could significantly shorten travel time. In certain regions, average school commutes may see reductions of 35 to 40%, transforming a typical 40-minute journey into roughly 25 minutes, depending on distance and route optimization.

This pilot program responds to ongoing parental concerns and aligns with the long-term transport goals of Dubai. Its primary objectives include reducing school transport fees, minimizing travel durations for students, and alleviating congestion in school zones.

The trial commenced in the second academic term and will undergo evaluation at the semester's end. Based on the outcomes, RTA may expand the program to cover all areas in Dubai for the upcoming school year.

Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency, emphasized that the initiative aims to motivate families to transition from private vehicles.

“Our goal is to render school transport a viable and appealing option compared to private cars, especially in locations that face daily traffic turmoil,” he stated.

Shakri elaborated that the operational model draws inspiration from ride-hailing services, allowing shared buses to cater to multiple schools within designated areas. Students on similar paths will be grouped into optimized schedules, maximizing vehicle usage and lowering costs.

This pilot is being executed in collaboration with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport to maintain competitive pricing and high service standards.

RTA reassured that all current safety regulations for school transport remain enforced, including smart route management, real-time vehicle tracking, onboard cameras, and full regulatory adherence.

“Our commitment is to trim time and costs without compromising safety,” added Shakri.

Currently, school transport fees in Dubai depend on distance and the specific school; however, RTA aims to gradually reduce costs, particularly for families with multiple children.

The authority recently finalized two memorandums of understanding with Yango Group and Urban Express to kick off the pilot project in the first quarter of 2026, following an increase in private vehicle use for school commutes.