UAE: Will school buses increase transport fees in new academic year?

UAE: Will school buses increase transport fees in new academic year?

Most institutes adopt a watch-and-wait approach while parents consider alternative arrangements

Published: Mon 6 Jun 2022, 7:42 PM

The recent hike in fuel prices has forced some schools to consider raising transportation fees. Reflecting global hikes in fuel, prices in the UAE increased by more than 13 per cent in the month of June, reaching to over Dh4 per litre for Super 98 and Special 95.

Institutions anticipate an increase in the school bus operators' costs and are putting in requests with their respective education regulators to revise transportation costs when schools reopen in September.

Abhilasha Singh, Principal, Shining Star International, Abu Dhabi, says, “Due to the continuous rise in fuel prices, we are left with no option but to put in a request with Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) to increase the bus fees.

"Otherwise, it will be a huge additional expenditure for the school, with us running into losses. I am sure most schools will eventually have to request the authorities to allow the increase in transportation fares. Let’s wait and see for now how things pan out in the future.”

Arogya Reddy, Principal, Ambassador School Sharjah, says that although the Sharjah Private Education Authority (Spea) gave them the option to