Abu Dhabi readies 10,000 school buses for more than 279,000 pupils

Abu Dhabi is preparing 10,000 school buses for the upcoming school year, which will transport over 279,000 pupils. To ease traffic and enhance safety during the morning rush on Abu Dhabi Island, heavy vehicles and buses carrying workers will be temporarily prohibited from entering the island from 6:30am to 9am from Monday, August 31 to Friday, September 4.

This initiative, led by the Integrated Transport Centre under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, will be implemented alongside the return of students and increased school-related traffic.

The school buses have undergone rigorous checks against technical and safety requirements as part of a comprehensive inspection and operating plan. School transport operators have received specialized training for drivers, supervisors, and coordinators. Parents are encouraged to use the Salama school transport app, which has been downloaded more than 126,000 times, enabling real-time tracking of bus journeys, monitoring boarding and departure times, and facilitating communication with school transport staff.

Strict regulations govern school bus operations, including the prohibition of employing drivers without a professional permit, a minimum age of 25, and proficiency in Arabic or English. Drivers must complete approved training, submit a traffic violations record, and undergo regular medical fitness checks. They are required to prevent unattended children from remaining on the bus, refrain from allowing pupils to exit at unauthorized stops, and avoid using mobile phones, eating, drinking, or smoking while driving.

Drivers must adhere to posted speed limits, not exceeding 100 km/h. Abu Dhabi Mobility places full responsibility on schools for student safety, with nearly 10,000 school buses now ready to serve the UAE's students.