New rules: Safety must for school buses

The Roads and Transport Authority announced sweeping changes in bus safety regulations for schools in Dubai.

All school buses must be fitted with speed governors that will prevent them from exceeding the 80km per hour limit. School bus drivers must also undergo training and obtain a special licence. The regulations are part of a Dubai School Transport Manual issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

No Compromise

New buses bought after 2008 must be fitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system.

Public and private schools should approach the RTA’s Licensing Agency to convert the registration of existing buses.

You cannot compromise when it comes to safety. Eisa Al Dossary, Public Transport Agency.

Speaking at a conference, Engineer Eisa Al Dossary, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said: "You cannot compromise when it comes to safety. I’m sure parents are not ready to risk the lives of their children for a little extra money."

Representatives of certain schools who attended the conference warned that parents might have to bear the burden.

"I think this is a very good initiative and in the right direction. But it will definitely affect school fees," said Ainsley Edgar, Principal of Our Own English High School in Dubai.

"With the given dimensions, we will have to reduce the capacity of our buses from 80 to 60 students. This will increase the cost," M.L. Augustine, Managing Director of School Transport Services, GEMS, said.

But Al Dossary said: "Why should parents pay? Schools should cut their profit margins."

Dedicated lanes

He added all school buses will be exempted from Salik fees. "We are studying the issue of having dedicated bus and taxi lanes. This will reduce traffic and greenhouse emissions. Drivers will also be trained on how to make decisions that may save lives."

Al Dossary said the new standards match American and European standards. Dubai has over 6,000 school buses, many more than 15 years old.

Schools have six months to adopt the new rules, though RTA may "consider extending the period until the end of the academic year", Al Dossary added.

Safety rules

• Speed governors to limit speed to 80km per hour, automatic fire extinguishing systems, Stop Arm with lights, flashers, safe bag racks, non-flammable and non-slip floors, sensors to prevent doors from closing on passengers, shock-absorbing fire-proof seats, child-safety seats for nurseries, emergency exits through the roof for buses with 42 seats – a must
• Buses must be painted yellow and display the words School Bus
• No bars on windows, no folding seats, no sharp edges like ash trays, handrails and arm rests
• Door controls to be operated by drivers