School Bus Ban Extended to Private Schools; Parents Responsible for Transporting Children

Alaa Khalifa In a significant development regarding the regulation of passenger transport and school buses, schools have informed parents of the suspension of school bus services until further notice, urging them to take responsibility for transporting their children to school and ensuring their safe return home. This decision follows strict measures and directives aimed at regulating bus operations and emphasizing that buses must not operate outside the scope of their issued licenses.

This move comes after the Ministry of Interior issued a warning, reiterating that using buses for passenger transport or renting them out outside the scope of licenses granted to companies is prohibited. The ministry stressed that firm measures will be taken against violators, including the revocation of company licenses and the deportation of offending drivers.

The Ministry of Interior called on citizens and residents to deal exclusively with licensed companies and to verify that both the bus and the company are authorized to provide the required service, whether for transporting workers, school students, or other permitted activities. It emphasized that compliance with licensing requirements aims to ensure passenger safety and ensure that buses meet approved technical and insurance standards.

In this context, school administrations have begun notifying parents through official circulars of the suspension of school bus services until further notice. The circulars clarified that the decision applies to all schools and that parents must transport their children to school and bring them back until new instructions are issued regarding the resumption of the service.

The circulars also specified that the latest waiting time for students in the three educational stages is 2:30 p.m., requiring families to arrange pickup and drop-off times to avoid any confusion during dismissal.

Educational sources told Al-Anbaa that schools have already begun contacting parents to inform them of the suspension of school transport services, in light of recent developments concerning the regulation of bus operations and the licenses granted to companies operating in this field. They noted that the resumption of the service would depend on the issuance of new instructions on the matter.

The sources added that school administrations are working to organize student dismissal procedures and coordinate with parents during the suspension of bus services, emphasizing the importance of family cooperation and adherence to arrival and departure times to ensure student safety and the smooth running of the school day.

Parents are awaiting the outcome of upcoming measures and instructions regarding the return of school bus services, particularly given that a wide segment of families relies on school transport to take their children to school and bring them back.