{
  "id": 3403267,
  "title": "UAE school bus operator says rising fuel costs won't be passed on to parents",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/uae-school-bus-operator-says-rising-fuel-costs-wont-be-passed-on-to",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-26T02:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/26/uae-school-bus-fees-will-not-increase-emirates-transport/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Emirates Transport, a major school bus operator in the UAE, has assured parents that they will not bear the brunt of increasing fuel costs for the upcoming academic year. The company transports around 285,000 students using 11,000 buses across the country. In August, fuel prices saw significant hikes: Super 98 rose by 5.88%, Special 95 by 6.08%, E-Plus 91 by 6.23%, and diesel by 5.56%. Despite these price increases, Emirates Transport maintains that its customers will not face higher fees. Tariq Al Awadhi, the commercial lead for school transport at Emirates Transport, explained that the company aimed to utilize its bus fleet more efficiently, optimize routes, and incorporate advanced technology to offset the impact of rising fuel costs. Rather than passing the expense onto parents, the company is focused on improving safety and operational efficiency. The fuel price increases have not affected employees or customers, ensuring that the financial burden remains unaffected. With the 2026-2027 academic year commencing on Monday, the company’s operations room is equipped to monitor buses and their journeys in real-time across the UAE. Mr. Al Awadhi expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and emphasized the importance of maintaining preparedness throughout the school year, particularly as they prepare for the return of students. The company’s operations extend beyond urban areas, servicing remote locations such as Dalma Island and Zirku Island. Safety is a top priority, with the introduction of internet-of-things devices to collect real-time data, enabling better fleet management and fuel efficiency. Recent regulations mandate rigorous safety checks to prevent any student from being left behind, ensuring comprehensive safety measures through multiple layers of monitoring. The recent surge in pupil numbers, attributed to increased parental confidence in school bus services, reflects the company’s success in providing secure transportation solutions.",
  "summary": "A leading UAE school bus operator has pledged that parents will not pay the price for rising fuel costs in the new academic year. Emirates Transport - which will carry about 285,000 public and private sector pupils on 11,000 buses - said it had sought to make routes more efficient and harnessed technology to absorb the impact. In August, the price of Super 98 increased by 5.88 per cent, Special…",
  "key_points": [
    "Emirates Transport will not pass fuel cost increases to parents.",
    "Company aims to optimize routes and use advanced technology.",
    "2026-2027 academic year starts on Monday."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "UAE school bus operator says rising fuel costs won't be passed on to parents",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/uae-school-bus-operator-says-rising-fuel-costs-wont-be-passed-on-to-3405110",
        "published": "2026-08-26T02:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}