Shortage of regulation buses in Abu Dhabi hits after-school activities
A shortage of regulation-compliant buses in Abu Dhabi has forced at least two private schools to cancel some afterhours sports matches.
Headmasters from Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and the British School Al Khubairat issued separate letters to parents yesterday alerting them that their pupils’ participation in Abu Dhabi International School Sports Association (Adissa) games would have to be suspended until more buses become available.
“As many of you may now be aware, we are facing a shortage of Department of Transport-compliant buses,” Cranleigh Abu Dhabi headmaster Brendan Law wrote in an email to parents.
“Our bus provider has been unable to provide regulation standard buses and, as I am sure you will agree, we are not prepared to compromise the children’s safety in any way. Our situation is part of a wider bus shortage, with a number of schools across Abu Dhabi facing similar challenges.”
In 2015, Abu Dhabi Government announced updated regulations after a 2014 incident in which a three-year-old girl died after being left in a school bus. In 2008, a three-year-old died in a locked school bus.
Operators were given two years to paint their buses yellow and retrofit their fleets with three-point seat belts for children under four years of age, CCTV cameras with audio and video recording capabilities and at least four external cameras. GPS trackers were added to monitor the buses’ movement and locations, and provisions were made for special needs pupils, among other requirements.
The limited number of regulation-compliant buses, with the growing popularity of the Adissa among private schools, has created a shortage during peak times, said Mark Leppard, headmaster of the British School Al Khubairat. Schools compete in football, rugby and other sports during the academic year.
“The fixtures have grown in number over the years and this is hugely positive, but has led to various logistical pressures, particularly around the area of transport,” Mr Leppard said. “Some schools own their buses, while others subcontract via approved providers.
“Unfortunately, a few schools are unable to source compliant transportation for the increased fixtures. Friendly fixtures will still take place between schools where compliant bus transport is available, but it will be difficult to continue with the league until the issues are resolved.”
An emergency meeting between Adissa members, made up of heads of sports departments from about 20 private schools, has been scheduled for today.
“We want to see if there is a decent solution first, I’m sure that there is a way to make sure the kids don’t miss out too much,” said Iain Colledge, Raha International School principal, noting his school’s transport company has a full fleet in compliance with the regulations.
One potential solution, he said, could involve having schools with compliant transportation travel to matches at the schools that face a shortage of buses.
“The Adissa league is excellent and we are all one community trying to support each other,” Mr Colledge said.