Over 1,000 Abu Dhabi school buses modified to meet new transport rules

The School Transportation Committee in Abu Dhabi announced on Wednesday that more than 1,000 school buses (both newly bought and modified) are now operating as per the standards of school bus regulations unveiled by the Department of Transport (DoT) in May this year.

According to the committee, which has members from the DoT, the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police, and Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the modifications on the bus exterior included yellow painting to distinguish school buses from other vehicles, the installation of warning signs on top and bottom of the bus with "school bus" in both Arabic and English clearly visible on the exterior of the bus as well as fixing the bus number and phone number of the operator in a way that can be easily recognised.

The modification also ensured that the interiors of all buses have no sharp end seats and are upholstered with soft, fire-resistant and shock-absorbing materials. Besides, seats cannot be folded and interior corridors have no hindrances, sharp ends and are covered with non-inflammable and anti-skidding layer.

As for safety and security, the regulations stipulate that buses are equipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits, an emergency reflexive triangle, an alarm voice system operating when the bus moves backwards as well as mirrors to allow the bus driver a complete vision from his seat of both sides, the bus doors and opposite vehicle.

Other standards include easily recognised emergency exits, the installation of GPS to follow the bus and record its speed, cameras to help clearly see the sides of the bus, and operating of CCTV to better monitor the bus by the driver. The door of the bus must be controlled by the driver and should be shut while driving but can be opened from inside and outside in emergencies.

.In May this year, the DoT in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Education Council and Abu Dhabi Police issued regulations for school bus services for all of Abu Dhabi-based schools. The regulations stipulate that all bus drivers must have a valid permit as "school bus driver" with certain conditions, and that schools should operate a sufficient number of air-conditioned, modern and emergency-equipped buses for their students. Other requirements include the availability of a bus supervisor to accompany students aged 11 and below and the maximum bus speed is 80kmph.