The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) completed a training course for 50 school bus drivers issuing them with exclusive school bus driving licenses, for the first time ever in the Middle East. Such driving licenses are being issued by Public Transport Agency in collaboration with the RTA Licensing Agency.

Essa Abdul-Rahman Al-Dosari, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency said: “RTA's emphasis on school transport stems from its keen attention to address safety of students at various age groups and educational levels. For this reason RTA is working with the managements of public & private schools to provide safe and comfortable transport modes compatible with the highest international standards applicable in this regard; a matter which will undoubtedly be reflected on their academic assimilation and scientific performance to match the development and growth drive witnessed at all fields.

“School transport is one of the prominent aspects that attract considerable attention by those overseeing transport sectors in advanced countries; a practice which underlies the huge importance attached to school transport, as is associated with an important segment of the community vis-à-vis students; our future leaders.

“ The Public Transport Agency set a deadline of March 2009 for schools to despatch their drivers for an intensive complimentary training course hosted by Drivers Training & Qualifying Office at Public Transport Agency, Al-Aweer, in association with the Swedish Traffic Institute in Dubai. The Course acquaints drivers with their main obligations towards school students and educates them on the principles of safe driving to avoid traffic accidents and resulting havocs.

“The Agency set the beginning of the next academic year 2009/2010 as a deadline for schools in the emirate of Dubai to implement the required changes to its schools buses in accordance with the specifications set forth in the School Transport Manual released by Public Transport Agency in a press conference held at the end of August this year.

The School Transport Manual in the emirate of Dubai, which is being published in Arabic & English languages, covers several aspects, namely an introduction about scholastic transport, facts & figures, school transport streamlining system, terminologies used in this field, practicing school transport business, responsibilities of school managements, responsibilities of operators, school bus driver, responsibilities of students and guardians, specifications of school buses, in addition to offences & fines. It also includes procedures of obtaining school bus registration card, procedures of obtaining a permit for a school bus driver, school principal's checklist, school bus driver's checklist, school bus operator's checklist, school bus specification's checklist, and related queries.