Gulf News, 26 August 2026: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has confirmed that schools must provide safe school transport services for their students, either directly or through licensed external operators, with full responsibility for safety placed on schools.
ADEK’s School Transport Policy Guide requires schools to ensure that students with additional educational needs receive appropriate support to benefit from bus services. In exceptional cases where transport cannot be provided, schools must seek exemptions from the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC).
The ITC, affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, reported 56 types of violations under the Executive Regulations governing school transport. These include nine violations applicable to schools, 24 to operators, 12 to drivers and 11 to bus supervisors. Penalties range from Dh100 to Dh200,000, with a five‑day correction period before stricter sanctions apply.
Violations for schools include failing to provide sufficient buses, appoint transport officers, or assign supervisors for buses carrying children under 11. Contracting unlicensed operators carries fines of Dh100,000, rising to Dh200,000 for repetition. Operators face penalties for running services without permits, failing to appoint coordinators, or neglecting designated pick‑up points. Drivers and supervisors are subject to fines for failing to conduct inspections, ensure safety equipment, or confirm that no students remain on buses at the end of journeys.
ADEK stressed that schools remain fully accountable for student safety throughout transport, even when outsourcing services. The framework aims to enforce compliance, enhance safety standards and ensure parents’ confidence in school transport systems.
For the full story, click here.