One of the Department of Transport's (DoT) current priorities is to improve the way students travel to school in Abu Dhabi.
A recent DoT study involving schools, transport providers, parents and students highlighted many concerns about the safety and comfort of students traveling in school buses in Abu Dhabi. It also demonstrated the problems families encounter when they try to use the school bus services.
In line with its mission to regulate, plan and develop efficient and well-integrated transport systems that serve public interest… (
DoT’s Mission), the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi issued the School Transport Regulations in response to the results of the study highlighted above.
These regulations aim at improving safety, efficiency and quality of school travel in Abu Dhabi by addressing the following aspects:
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School Travel Plans: these plans are part of a wider sustainable travel program and are designed to provide different ways to travel to and from schools in Abu Dhabi, resulting in reduced traffic congestion.
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School Bus Specifications: these vehicle requirements establish standards for all Abu Dhabi school buses.
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School Transport Regulations: these new rules create government oversight of school transport and establish standards for how school transport is provided by schools and transport operators in Abu Dhabi.
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School Travel Rights and Obligations: the new rules clarify responsibilities of parents and students to ensure school bus services in Abu Dhabi are used properly.
The new school transport regulations aims to:
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Reduce the proportion of students travelling to school by car;
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Improve the safety of students travelling to/from school;
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Improve the quality of school transport services;
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Adopt new specifications and advanced technologies for school buses; and
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Ensure the sustainability of school transport.
The Department of Transport also issued the ‘School Transport Guidebook’ to provide all parties that are concerned with school transport with a better understanding of their responsibilities. The guidebook includes:
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Roles and responsibilities of school transport providers, operators and users;
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Procedures for registering a school bus; and
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Procedures for obtaining a school bus driver permit.
A copy of the School Transport Regulations, the guidebook, School Bus Registration Permit Form and School Bus Driver Permit Form is available in PDF at the related downloads section below.