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28 March 2024

Dubai’s RTA to host school transportation summit

Picture used for illustrative purpose only. (AGENCIES)

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By Staff

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is tapping into the expertise of the US-based National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) to ensure students in the Emirate have world-class school transportation. 

The two organizations are entering into a formal partnership to share information and experiences, and will co-host a school transportation Summit next spring in Dubai.

Essa Al Dosseri, CEO of the Public Transport Agency at RTA, said: "This agreement is the result of many years of working informally with NAPT. Together, we are taking the next step to bring the best practices in school transportation to individuals, businesses, governments and related school transportation service providers in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) as well as other countries."

"The conference we are planning will be a unique learning experience for transportation professionals around the world," Al Dosseri said.

NAPT President Alexandra Robinson, Executive Director for Pupil Transportation, New York City Department of Education, said: "NAPT is privileged to join with the Emirate of Dubai in the interest of helping them and others in their region learn from our experiences operating yellow school buses.”

As part of the agreement between the organizations, NAPT will work with RTA to benchmark its current school transportation service and collaborate on public information activities and other communications.

Michael Martin, Executive Director of NAPT applauded the RTA for its regional leadership. “The Dubai RTA is a very professional organization that strives to achieve best transportation practices.  It's been a great honor working with them over the years and we now embrace this official partnership to promote school bus transportation in that part of the world," Martin said.

Headquartered in Albany, NY, NAPT supports a $15 billion industry of more than 500,000 people who transport more than 24 million children every school day.  It is the largest school bus industry organization with members in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of the Government of Dubai is responsible for planning, executing and coordinating all aspects of the Emirate's rapidly expanding transport infrastructure, including road, rail, bus, marine and metro transportation.