As over a million students across the UAE prepare to return to schools, the Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) has launched a large-scale internal operation. The goal of this work is to ensure safe, seamless, and stress-free journeys for students.
The organization is preparing its fleet of 1215 school buses for the daily transportation of 36,500 students across the districts of Dubai, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Preparations begin long before the start of the academic year. Each bus undergoes a structured readiness process that covers its operational status, cleanliness, availability of safety equipment, and overall suitability for daily school transport.
Nasser Al Hajj, DTC's Director of Assets, stated: 'We guarantee that our fleet, drivers, and support systems are fully prepared for the return of students.'
The scale of the operation is significant. Safety is the top priority, so every vehicle undergoes stringent checks to ensure its mechanical and operational readiness for daily use. Nasser emphasized that 'we place safety as one of our core organizational values,' and also noted that 'adherence to regulatory requirements and operational standards is at the heart of our mobility.'
No bus is permitted to carry students until all checks are completed and all systems are functioning properly.
Technology plays an increasingly important role in DTC's operations. The Operations Control Center (OCC) monitors every school trip in real time, providing an overview of the entire fleet. Large screens inside the OCC display the location of each bus, live video feeds from the cabin, up-to-date traffic information, and speed, among other things.
Each bus route is optimized based on traffic conditions to achieve a balance between safety, travel time, and operational efficiency. Nasser explained that 'if any student is absent on a particular day, the bus route is adjusted to a shorter one, excluding that pick-up point.'
Before the start of the academic year, requirements for the fleet and routes are reviewed based on expected demand. This ensures adequate capacity from day one. He added that 'the issue is not just about preparing individual buses, but about coordinating vehicles, people, routes, and schedules simultaneously so that the entire operation is ready for the resumption of classes.'
DTC provides parents with an application to track their children's buses. It includes features such as real-time GPS tracking to determine the exact location and travel history of the school bus, instant notifications about the child's safe arrival or unexpected traffic jams, and the ability to report absences.
Advanced video surveillance systems ensure that no student is left behind on any bus, while electronic trackers monitor both the buses and the students using onboard devices.
Furthermore, DTC ensures that drivers undergo specialized training programs to practice safe and responsible driving in accordance with the standards of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Nasir explained that 'training strengthens skills in safe driving, student supervision, emergency response, and specific duties related to transporting children.'
This training guarantees that drivers and chaperones are prepared for everything—from routine pickups to unexpected incidents, with the well-being of the students remaining the focus of every lesson.
