In line with the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) carried out as many as 1011 inspections of the school buses operating in 111 schools across the emirate. RTA carried out the inspection campaign to monitor the compliance of bus operators comply with the regulatory guidelines in place and to ensure that precautionary measures issued to combat COVID-19 are being implemented during the services.

During the inspection, the RTA team issued around 56 offense tickets to operators for their failure in compliance with the precautionary norms. Most of these violations were associated with the lack of adherence to the safety regulations in buses and their failure to comply with RTA’s technical prerequisites for bus seats and exterior and interior designs. Negligence in operating the electronic rod at pick-up and drop-off stops for students was also observed, along with the failure in displaying the permit in the designated place.

Out of the total 240 schools in the emirate, the campaign currently covered 111 schools based on certain considerations. As the new academic year began in the UAE amid the efforts to combat COVID-19, some schools opted for online learning policy, while there are some schools that have staggered bus arrival timings due to the pandemic restrictions.

According to the RTA, these inspections will be carried out throughout the school year as per the plan, adding that it is the paramount priority of the authority to ensure that the safety and well-being of the students are maintained during their daily commute.

In conclusion, the regulatory authority said: "These efforts contribute to realizing RTA’s vision aiming to be ‘The world leader in seamless & sustainable mobility."

WAM