School buses... safety and smooth traffic flow
With the start of the new academic year and the increase in traffic on the streets, the Ministries of Education and Interior are intensifying their efforts to enhance road safety and reduce congestion around schools. This contributes to providing a safer educational environment and minimizing accidents and risks associated with school transportation.
As part of the annual awareness efforts, the Ministry of Interior launched its “Prevention and Safety” campaign, aiming to instill preventive behavior among students and parents, while also raising awareness among drivers about traffic rules and the importance of safe crossing in the vicinity of schools.
In this context, the issue of collective student transportation via school buses emerges as an effective solution to congestion, both in front of schools on the roads in the morning and at dismissal. The Ministry of Education has pursued this goal by securing buses to transport students to and from schools, allocating a number of school buses to each school based on student enrollment. These buses began operating on Sunday, positively impacting the roads surrounding schools and other thoroughfares, thereby serving as a safe means of transportation under strict oversight while also helping to reduce traffic congestion.
In this regard, Muhammad Al-Khalidi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative, Financial, and Technical Affairs, confirmed that all safety and security requirements for school buses have been met. He noted that the General Services Department currently operates approximately 1,416 school buses serving male and female students in the intermediate and secondary stages, all equipped with tracking devices that allow monitoring by the operating company, the educational district, and the ministry.
Al-Khalidi told Al-Rai that the ministry’s General Services Department coordinates with the Traffic Congestion Committee in the Ministry of Interior regarding bus departure times to schools and mechanisms for providing transportation services in new residential areas. He added that the ministry also monitors the company to ensure the qualifications of the drivers operating the buses.
He explained that in the event of a bus breakdown or delay, an immediate notification is sent to the General Services Department, which then coordinates the dispatch of a replacement bus. He emphasized that in the unlikely event of an accident, the General Services Department of the educational district will coordinate with the company to take the necessary measures, foremost among them providing a replacement bus to transport the students.
Al-Khalidi noted that female students currently show higher enrollment in school buses than male students, pointing out that registration is only permitted with parental consent. He also confirmed that chaperones are available for buses serving special education schools.
Al-Khalidi revealed that new contracts for school buses are nearing signature, following the completion of procedures with regulatory authorities. He explained that these contracts include the provision of 2,300 new buses equipped with surveillance cameras to serve students across all three educational stages, along with the appointment of a chaperone for each bus serving both male and female students.
• All buses are monitored via tracking devices by the ministry and the operating company.
• A chaperone is provided with each bus in special education schools.
In coordination with the Traffic Congestion Committee in the Ministry of Interior, the General Services Department of the Ministry of Education determines the departure times for school buses transporting students from their homes to schools. It also establishes mechanisms for bus operations in new residential areas to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Several school bus drivers told Al-Rai that the process of students boarding and alighting from the buses is conducted in an organized manner. They noted that there are no significant issues at school parking areas and emphasized that student behavior is characterized by discipline and compliance, particularly given that the buses serve middle and high school students.
The drivers also commended the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in regulating vehicle movement within and around school parking areas, especially during the morning hours. They affirmed that the annual mechanism for organizing and directing traffic, implemented at the start of each academic year, is carried out with precision and organization, contributing to a reduction in the traffic congestion that previously affected some school zones.
Several parents told Al-Rai that traffic safety measures around schools are effective during both morning and midday periods, particularly in front of high schools. They praised the Ministry of Interior’s efforts in regulating traffic flow and enhancing its smoothness.
Abu Mohammed Al-Harbi stated that “traffic management has witnessed remarkable development in recent years, especially with the establishment of the central control room, which monitors traffic directly on the roads. This contributes to the rapid response to any congestion or traffic density.”
Al-Harbi also appreciated the extensive presence of police patrols on the streets and around schools, praising their role in facilitating traffic flow and assisting drivers, particularly during morning peak hours.
Umm Fahd described traffic management around schools as “excellent,” while emphasizing that the success of these efforts requires enhancing community awareness of the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations.
She stated that “driving is an art, a matter of taste, culture, and ethics,” calling for greater cooperation and compliance from drivers and parents to ensure student safety and smooth traffic flow around schools.
