Dubai: RTA to trial school bus pooling initiative to reduce traffic this year
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will pilot a school transport pooling initiative in the first quarter of 2026, aiming to reduce traffic congestion around 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 memoranda of understanding.Under the pilot, shared buses will transport students from multiple schools within defined geographic zones, using technology for trip management, vehicle tracking and operational monitoring. RTA said the project will comply with all approved safety, security, regulatory and legislative requirements governing school transport in Dubai, while seeking to improve traffic flow and daily mobility for students. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.The memoranda were signed by Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, on behalf of RTA; Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group; and Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport.Bahrozyan said the authorities have observed a noticeable increase in the number of private vehicles used to transport students to and from schools, which has directly affected traffic flow around school zones. “Through this initiative, RTA aims to offer an alternative school transport solution at affordable rates, helping to improve traffic movement and deliver a more efficient daily mobility experience.”The initiative will incorporate “smart technological solutions” for trip management, vehicle tracking and operational monitoring.How it worksBahrozyan explained that the initiative involves the operation of shared buses serving multiple schools located within defined geographic zones. “The initiative aims to explore innovative school transport models based on the principle of pooling, supporting better vehicle utilisation, reducing traffic congestion during peak hours, and raising safety and quality standards in student transport services.”He added that the step will help develop new models for school transport in Dubai. It will assess the potential for wider rollout in the future.The pilot builds on broader traffic measures introduced by RTA in recent years to ease congestion around school zones. In 2024, Dubai approved a traffic plan that included developing policies to encourage greater use of school transport, a move expected to improve traffic flow around schools by 13 per cent. That year, RTA also completed eight school traffic improvement projects covering more than 37 schools, including road widening, improved entry and exit points, additional parking, and traffic diversions, resulting in a 20 per cent improvement in peak-hour traffic flow around school areas.Yango’s Islam Abdul Karim said school transport remains one of the most complex daily mobility challenges for cities. “Through this pilot with RTA, we are introducing a data-driven school transport pooling model that groups students travelling along similar routes into shared buses operating on optimised routes and schedules.”Urban Express Transport’s Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi said the project aims to reduce congestion, improve bus utilisation, and “enhance the daily travel experience for students”.Less traffic, cost: Why UAE experts are rallying for subsidised school bus operatorsDubai: RTA traffic improvements reduce congestion on first day back to school
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will pilot a school transport pooling initiative in the first quarter of 2026, aiming to reduce traffic congestion around 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 memoranda of understanding.
Under the pilot, shared buses will transport students from multiple schools within defined geographic zones, using technology for trip management, vehicle tracking and operational monitoring.
RTA said the project will comply with all approved safety, security, regulatory and legislative requirements governing school transport in Dubai, while seeking to improve traffic flow and daily mobility for students.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The memoranda were signed by Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, on behalf of RTA; Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group; and Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport.
Bahrozyan said the authorities have observed a noticeable increase in the number of private vehicles used to transport students to and from schools, which has directly affected traffic flow around school zones. “Through this initiative, RTA aims to offer an alternative school transport solution at affordable rates, helping to improve traffic movement and deliver a more efficient daily mobility experience.”
The initiative will incorporate “smart technological solutions” for trip management, vehicle tracking and operational monitoring.
How it works
Bahrozyan explained that the initiative involves the operation of shared buses serving multiple schools located within defined geographic zones. “The initiative aims to explore innovative school transport models based on the principle of pooling, supporting better vehicle utilisation, reducing traffic congestion during peak hours, and raising safety and quality standards in student transport services.”
He added that the step will help develop new models for school transport in Dubai. It will assess the potential for wider rollout in the future.
The pilot builds on broader traffic measures introduced by RTA in recent years to ease congestion around school zones. In 2024, Dubai approved a traffic plan that included developing policies to encourage greater use of school transport, a move expected to improve traffic flow around schools by 13 per cent. That year, RTA also completed eight school traffic improvement projects covering more than 37 schools, including road widening, improved entry and exit points, additional parking, and traffic diversions, resulting in a 20 per cent improvement in peak-hour traffic flow around school areas.
Yango’s Islam Abdul Karim said school transport remains one of the most complex daily mobility challenges for cities. “Through this pilot with RTA, we are introducing a data-driven school transport pooling model that groups students travelling along similar routes into shared buses operating on optimised routes and schedules.”
Urban Express Transport’s Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi said the project aims to reduce congestion, improve bus utilisation, and “enhance the daily travel experience for students”.
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