Dubai plans school bus pooling service to ease congestion

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will pilot a school transport pooling system in the first quarter of 2026.

The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion around schools, cut the number of private vehicles on the roads and provide a safer, more affordable transport option for students.

The project, launched in partnership with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport, follows the signing of two memoranda of understanding during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The pilot service will use shared buses serving multiple schools within defined geographic zones, supported by smart technology for route planning, vehicle tracking and real-time monitoring.

The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce peak-hour congestion and enhance safety standards.

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said that the service will operate under strict safety and security standards and fully comply with Dubai’s transport regulations.

"Through this initiative, RTA aims to offer an alternative school transport solution at affordable rates, helping to improve traffic movement and deliver a more efficient daily mobility experience," he added.

The pilot project will help assess the operational and social impact of pooled school transport, paving the way for potential wider implementation and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leader in smart and sustainable mobility.

#RTA is set to launch a new pilot initiative on school transport pooling during the first quarter of 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to advance a smart and sustainable transport system and enhance the efficiency of daily mobility for school students, in collaboration with Yango…

— RTA (@rta_dubai) January 13, 2026

كشفت #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات في دبي عن عزمها إطلاق مبادرة تجريبية جديدة حول (المشاركة في النقل المدرسي) خلال الربع الأول من العام الجاري 2026، وذلك في إطار جهودها المستمرة لتطوير منظومة النقل الذكي والمستدام، وتعزيز كفاءة التنقل اليومي لطلبة المدارس بالتعاون مع مجموعة يانغو… pic.twitter.com/dpeNuHnLaL

— RTA (@rta_dubai) January 13, 2026