Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to launch a new pilot initiative on school transport pooling during the first quarter of 2026, to advance a smart and sustainable transport system. The new initiative, in collaboration with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport, is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of daily mobility for school students.
The announcement follows the signing of two memoranda of understanding by RTA with the two companies to pilot the implementation of the initiative.
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA, signed the memoranda of understanding on behalf of RTA. Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group, and Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport, signed on behalf of the respective companies.
The initiative involves operating shared buses that serve multiple schools within defined geographic zones, resulting in faster student arrival times.
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA, said, "In recent years, a noticeable increase has been observed in the number of private vehicles used to transport students to and from schools, which directly affects traffic flow around school zones. Through this initiative, RTA aims to offer an alternative school transport solution at affordable rates, helping to improve traffic movement and deliver a more efficient daily mobility experience."
Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group, said, "School transport is one of the most complex and congested daily mobility challenges in any city, sitting at the intersection of safety, efficiency, cost, and daily family routines. Through this pilot with RTA, we are introducing a data-driven school transport pooling model that groups students travelling along similar routes into shared buses operating on optimised routes and schedules. By improving route planning, vehicle utilisation, and real-time operational oversight, the initiative aims to reduce peak-hour traffic pressure, enhance service reliability, and deliver a safer, more affordable, and more convenient experience for families."
Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport, said, "In collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Urban Express Transport is proud to support this strategic school transport optimisation project, which aims to reduce congestion, improve bus utilisation, and enhance the daily travel experience for students. Through innovative approaches such as school bus pooling and flexible services, the initiative contributes to safer, more affordable, and sustainable mobility solutions in line with Dubai’s long-term transport vision."