From school buses and discounted public transport to dedicated school rides and ride-pooling, Dubai parents have more ways to get children to and from school this academic year.

As students return to school for the 2026-27 academic year, parents in Dubai have more transport choices than the traditional school bus.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is expanding transport capacity around schools while introducing and supporting additional services aimed at making school journeys safer and more convenient.

Here are the main options parents should know about.

1. Traditional school buses

School buses remain one of the most straightforward options for families, particularly for children who travel to school every day.

Dubai is continuing to strengthen safety checks around school transport, including bus inspections, permit checks and field monitoring.

Parents should also expect strict enforcement of safety requirements, with seat belt use mandatory on school buses.

2. Dedicated school rides

Parents looking for an alternative to a traditional school bus can use dedicated school transport services supported by the RTA through e-hail limousine operators.

These include:

• Careem School Rides
• Uber Teens
• BOLT School

The services use safety-rated drivers and modern vehicle fleets, giving families another option for regular school journeys.

For parents who prefer a more direct journey rather than a fixed school-bus route, these services may offer greater flexibility.

3. School ride-pooling in Al Barsha

Families living in Al Barsha also have a ride-sharing option through a school ride-pooling initiative available on the Yango app.

The service allows students to share rides through dedicated packages, potentially making daily school transport more convenient for families in the area.

This could be particularly useful for parents who want an alternative to arranging individual daily drop-offs and pick-ups.

4. Dubai Metro, Tram and public buses

Public transport is another option, particularly for older and more independent students.

Students using a nol Card can benefit from a 50 per cent discount on RTA public transport services, including:

• Dubai Metro
• Dubai Tram
• Public buses

Parents should consider the child’s age, independence and the distance between the station or bus stop and the school before choosing this option.

5. Taxis

For parents who need a flexible option for occasional school trips, taxis remain available.

The RTA plans to increase taxi availability around several school zones during peak periods, particularly around school opening and closing times.

This should help families who need a taxi for an occasional drop-off, pick-up or when their normal transport arrangement is unavailable.

6. More public buses around schools

Dubai is also increasing the frequency of more than 30 bus routes serving key school areas.

These include:

• Al Nahda
• Muhaisnah
• Al Barsha
• Al Quoz
• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Al Garhoud

The additional services are intended to improve availability, reduce waiting times and make public transport more practical during the school rush.

Regardless of which option parents choose, Dubai’s school transport measures place a strong emphasis on child safety.

Seat belts are mandatory on school buses, ride-pooling services and ride-hailing journeys.

Parents should also make sure children understand basic travel safety, including wearing their seat belt throughout the journey, following the driver’s instructions and knowing where they are being picked up and dropped off.

With additional buses and taxis being deployed around school zones, parents should have more options for managing the daily school run as Dubai prepares for increased traffic around schools.