This is how Dubai's new school buses will keep children safe

Dubai - The new bus fleet is fitted with a switch located at the rear of the bus that requires the driver to walk there to disable it.

RTA's Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) is all set for the new school year 2016-2017 by deploying a fleet of sophisticated, smart buses equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.

The initiative stems from DTC's commitment to keep up with the Dubai government's drive to provide excellent and safe school transport service. Registration is now open for students to avail this school transport service at the schools under contract, where nearly 3,000 students from eight schools have participated in this service so far.

Mohammed Said Al Dhuhori, Director of DTC's School Transport said: "The DTC considers buying scores of new eco-friendly buses, fitted with the best safety and security means. The new buses would be deployed at the beginning of the new academic year to add up to DTC's existing school bus fleet to meet the growing demands for transport service. The new buses are equipped with surveillance cameras connected to designated monitors at the DTC's Control Center. These cameras can monitor students' movement on board including sitting and alighting from the bus. In addition, these buses are also fitted with a GPS satellite tracking system, which sends text messages to inform parents of bus times from and to schools or homes."

To ensure no students remain in the bus, DTC's new school bus fleet is also fitted with a switch located at the rear of the bus that requires the driver to walk there to disable it, and in turn, observe whether students have exited the school bus.

"The online contract registration is open for new schools to avail this service using the smart app (dtc school bus), dialing the DTC's Customer Service Center 042080555 or visiting the customer service staff at schools. These buses have been selected to conform with the world's highest school transport service and in implementation of the standards, conditions & guidelines issued by the Public Transport Agency, governing school transport service providers," added Al Dhuhori.

• Dubai