Dubai's School Rides: Revolutionizing Student Transport
In a bid to offer a more flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional school buses, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, in collaboration with Careem, introduced a dedicated taxi service named "School Rides." Launched in April 2023, this initiative has gained popularity among parents seeking a more efficient and economical mode of transportation for their children.
One parent, Arash Hazaq, an Iraqi expat residing in Dubai, shared his positive experience with School Rides. Previously paying Dh800 per month for his son's 7km home-to-school commute, Hazaq found the service to be a game-changer. Opting for School Rides not only saved his son around one-and-a-half hours of travel time per trip but also proved to be a cost-effective solution.
The pricing structure for School Rides offers packages starting at Dh500 for 40 rides, with a 90-day validity. The cost varies based on the distance covered, providing flexibility for parents. Hazaq, for instance, chose a package costing Dh1,300, which he could use for either pickups or drops. The service isn't limited to school students, as demonstrated by Briton Umar Osman, a university student who found the service to be both cost-saving and flexible.
Adel Shakri, the Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency, highlighted that over 1,150 parents have engaged with the service since its launch. He emphasized the cost-effectiveness and shorter travel times provided by School Rides, positioning it as an attractive alternative to conventional school transport.
Antonio Al Asmar, the General Manager of Careem in the GCC, shared that over 50,000 school rides have been completed, with an average savings of 35% per user. The pricing is distance-based, with packages catering to different ranges. Al Asmar outlined the significant advantage of not charging parents for transport during public holidays or term breaks, and the packages are not subject to surge pricing.
The service allows up to three children to travel in the same ride at no additional cost. This flexibility ensures substantial savings for parents compared to the traditional school bus system. The calculations provided by Al Asmar showed that parents could save up to 54% for three children compared to traditional school bus transport.
The School Rides service operates through the Careem app and offers a prepaid bundle of rides. Parents can seamlessly switch from regular rides to the designated "School Rides" package using the user-friendly app interface. The 40-ride package is specifically designed for transportation to or from a specific school.
The RTA reported that the service has attracted 750 educational institutions in Dubai. However, parents need to coordinate directly with the school for these rides. Approximately 3,500 cabs from various luxury vehicle companies are deployed to run this service, with trained and vetted drivers ensuring the safety and professionalism of the transportation process.
In conclusion, the School Rides initiative in Dubai presents a modern, flexible, and cost-effective solution for parents seeking efficient transportation options for their children, challenging the traditional school bus model and providing a customizable alternative that prioritizes convenience and savings.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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