Regulation No. (2) of 2008

Regulating

School Transport in the Emirate of Dubai^{^[1]}

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We, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council,

After perusal of:

Law No. (3) of 2003 Establishing the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai;

Law No. (17) of 2005 Establishing the Roads and Transport Authority; and

Executive Council Resolution No. (8) of 2006 Establishing the Agencies Affiliated to the Roads and Transport Authority and Approving their Corporate and Organisational Structures,

Do hereby issue this Regulation.

Article (1)

This Regulation will be cited as "Regulation No. (2) of 2008 Regulating School Transport in the Emirate of Dubai".

Article (2)

The following words will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Emirate:	The Emirate of Dubai.
RTA:	The Roads and Transport Authority.
PTA:	The Public Transport Agency of the RTA.
School Bus:	Any bus which accommodates more than ten (10) passengers including the driver and is used for transporting students and pupils to and from schools and nursery schools.
Automatic Stop Arm:	An automatic arm with a sign used for warning when the School Bus stops for picking up or dropping off students and pupils.
Operator:	Any school or other entity licensed in the Emirate to conduct the activity of transporting school students and nursery school pupils by School Buses.

Article (3)

1. Pursuant to this Regulation, no entity may conduct the School Transport activity in the Emirate without a prior written authorisation.

2. Operators must comply with School Bus conditions and requirements whether their buses are owned or rented. A School Bus may be driven only by a person with a valid written authorisation.

Article (4)

1. The PTA will issue School Bus Operating Permits and School Bus Driver's Permits in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the implementing bylaw of this Regulation.

2. The permits referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article will be valid for a period of one (1) year renewable for the same period. A permit renewal application must be submitted to the PTA within thirty (30) days from the date of its expiry.

Article (5)

a. Operators must comply with the terms and conditions stipulated in this Regulation and its implementing bylaw. This includes to:

1. use School Buses that meet the adopted safety standards and technical specifications relating to the external appearance and the interior layout of the School Bus;

2. equip School Buses with Automatic Stop Arms;

3. have the phrase “School Bus” written on all its School Buses;

4. admit students and pupils with special needs on board their School Buses, and ensure that their buses are equipped to suit the health conditions of these students and pupils;

5. appoint a supervisor to oversee all School Buses and all drivers;

6. appoint at least one (1) conductor for each School Bus; and

7. display the School Bus Operating Permit at a prominent place inside the School Bus.

b. A School Bus driver must comply with the terms and conditions stipulated in this Regulation and its implementing bylaw. This includes to:

1. use the Automatic Stop Arm when the School Bus stops for picking up or dropping off students and pupils;

2. cover the “School Bus” phrase when using the School Bus for any other activity;

3. wear the official uniform when conducting the school transport activity, and maintain a neat and good appearance; and

4. refrain from smoking, eating, or drinking while driving the School Bus.

Article (6)

The RTA may examine and inspect School Buses and issue reports on compliance by Operators and School Bus drivers with the standards and rules stipulated in the implementing bylaw of this Regulation. This includes verifying any violations committed by Operators and School Bus drivers.

Article (7)

For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Regulation and its implementing bylaw, the PTA may seek assistance from Government Entities in the Emirate, including police personnel.

Article (8)

Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in any other legislation, a person who violates any of the provisions of this Regulation, its implementing bylaw, or the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof will be punished by the penalty prescribed for such violation in the Schedule attached to this Regulation.

Article (9)

The permits issued by the RTA may, pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the RTA, be suspended or revoked in accordance with the conditions and rules stipulated in the implementing bylaw of this Regulation.

Article (10)

Employees and inspectors of the PTA nominated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the RTA will have the capacity of law enforcement officers to record the acts committed in breach of the provisions of this Regulation and its implementing bylaw. In such capacity, they may conduct inspections and issue the necessary violation reports and fines.

Article (11)

The fines collected pursuant to this Regulation will be paid to the RTA.

Article (12)

All Operators and School Bus drivers must comply with the provisions of this Regulation within six (6) months from its effective date.

Article (13)

The Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the RTA will issue the implementing bylaw and resolutions required for the implementation of the provisions of this Regulation.

Article (14)

Any provision in any other legislation will be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Regulation.

Article (15)

This Regulation will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on 1 September 2008.

Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Crown Prince of Dubai

Chairman of the Executive Council

Issued in Dubai on 17 April 2008

Corresponding to 11 Rabi al-Thani 1429 A.H.

Schedule of Violations and Fines

SN	Violation	Fine (in Dirhams)
1	Operating a School Bus without obtaining a permit.	500.00
2	Operating a School Bus with a permit that has expired for more than one (1) month.	100.00
3	Failure to display the School Bus permit at its designated place.	50.00
4	Driving a School Bus by a driver who has no permit or whose permit has expired.	500.00
5	Refusal to produce the School Bus Driving Permit to law enforcement officers.	500.00
6	Failure to comply with any of the requirements or specifications relating to the external appearance of School Buses.	150.00
7	Failure to comply with any of the requirements or specifications relating to the seats or the interior layout of School Buses.	200.00
8	Failure to comply with any of the requirements or specifications relating to safety standards.	300.00
9	Violation by a School Bus driver of any of his obligations under this Regulation and its implementing bylaw.	50.00
10	Violation by an Operator of any of its obligations under this Regulation and its implementing bylaw.	100.00
11	Failure to operate the Automatic Stop Arm of a School Bus when the School Bus stops for picking up or dropping off students or pupils.	200.00
12	Failure to remove or cover the phrase “School Bus” when using the School Bus for any activity other than school transport.	200.00
13	Operating the Automatic Stop Arm of a School Bus when using the School Bus for an activity other than school transport.	200.00

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.