Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a new package of training programmes for school transport drivers and supervisors designed by specialised international institutes. The objective is to raise the calibre of this category to bring it in line with the top operational standards of the industry. The training is tilted to maximising the safety of students in-transit, which will also have a positive bearing on encouraging the public to use public transport and reduce traffic congestion, especially during peak times.

The step is in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to engage school bus drivers across the UAE in specialist fire-fighting training programmes.

Drivers Affairs Department at the Public Transport Agency has improved several safety aspects relating to school transport to maintain the zero-accident record of journeys from and to schools. Such improvements conform to the standards of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) as well as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in the UK. The modules have been revised in the second half of 2019 and endorsed by the National Confederation of Driving Schools (CNAE) in Spain and were made ready for the start of the new academic year 2019/2020.

Emphasis was placed on adopting safe and defensive driving techniques and familiarising trainees with the way of coping with emergency cases, such as fire incidents. They will also have exposure to the management of students’ movement during daily trips as well as safe bus stops. The stress on safety is a key component of the training programmes to embed the culture of safe and enjoyable transport in the conscience of students.

The training of school bus drivers and supervisors contributes to making school buses the first choice of parents, which makes upgrading their qualifications so vital. Candidates now have to undergo psychological and language tests before being endorsed for registration in the basic theoretical and practical training courses for obtaining professional permits. 

It is important to establish that nominee drivers and supervisors have the psychological and mental stability together with a proven ability to perform their jobs in an excellent manner. They also ought to have the ability to communicate with the concerned bodies in the Emirate such as the Ambulance, Civil Defence and Police.