The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will launch a pilot school transport pooling initiative in the first quarter of this year, aiming to reduce traffic congestion in school zones and offer an alternative to private car drop-offs.
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport, following the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding between the entities. Under the pilot project, shared buses will transport students from multiple schools located within designated geographical areas, using smart technology for trip management, vehicle tracking, and operational monitoring.
RTA officials confirmed that the initiative will fully comply with all approved safety, security, regulatory, and legal frameworks governing school transportation in Dubai. The project also seeks to improve daily mobility and enhance traffic flow around school zones.
The MoUs were signed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency; Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group; and Dr Mohammed Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport.
Bahrozyan noted that authorities have observed a significant increase in the number of private vehicles used for school drop-offs and pick-ups, directly impacting traffic movement in school areas. Through this initiative, RTA aims to provide a cost-effective and efficient school transport alternative that supports better vehicle utilisation and reduces congestion during peak hours.
The project will incorporate smart technical solutions for real-time monitoring and tracking, while shared buses will serve multiple schools within defined zones. The initiative is based on principles of pooling, optimising vehicle use, easing peak-hour congestion, and enhancing safety and service quality in student transportation.
