A school bus caught in slow-moving traffic on Mohamed bin Zayed Road near the Sharjah National Paints area, en route to Dubai, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by parents and students. However, several school zones across Dubai have reported a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in travel time, thanks to extensive road upgrades covering 37 schools. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has implemented various measures, including widening streets, adding extra parking spaces, enhancing school entrances and exits, and introducing traffic diversions in surrounding areas. These improvements have significantly eased the daily commute for many families.
Sarah Ramsey, a British expat with children attending Safa British School, noted the positive impact of these changes. 'They built a new drop zone at one of the other gates. When parents follow the rules and the traffic marshals' instructions, it works brilliantly. It's made drop-off much easier. There's a big sand area that we park in for pick-up because it's easier to get in and out of. It probably saves me 10-15 minutes,' she said. However, she also pointed out that issues arise when some parents don't park in designated spaces, leading to double parking and blocking traffic.
RTA's completed works have notably benefited several key areas, including Kings' School Dubai, The International School of Choueifat, Dubai College, Al Safa Schools Complex, School of Research Science in Al Warqa 4, Al Qusais Schools Complex, Al Mizhar Schools Complex, Nad Al Sheba Schools Complex, and Al Tawar Schools Complex 2. Springs resident Ritu Agarwal praised the improvements, saying, 'I can drop my son off at Choueifat in 10 minutes and easily return in another 10 minutes. Over the years, the RTA has significantly improved the road network, especially around school zones.'
Deblina Saha, parent of two Gems Modern Academy (GMA) students, highlighted the new service lane that helps avoid Repton school traffic. 'RTA has created a new service lane or a single road that helps us to avoid the Repton school traffic altogether. Now there is a new road while entering GMA. That has helped parents a lot. Just opposite the school, there is a sand area, and we have all started parking there, so life has become much easier for all of us,' she said. However, she expressed concern about ongoing construction work that might restrict parking in the sand area.
Despite these improvements, some parents are still urging authorities to address congestion in other school areas. French expat Christine Quartier La Tente, whose daughter attends Raffles World Academy, said, 'I always arrive a bit earlier than the others. My daughter finishes at 2.50 pm and I make sure that I am there to pick her up at 2.40pm, even at 2.30pm sometimes. If you arrive earlier, then you know where to park and know how to quickly exit on the street without getting stuck.' She noted that while a service road was constructed for Dubai College and Choueifat, some parents still block lanes, making it unsafe.
Shun Khin Shun Lae Tha, a Myanmar expat with a daughter attending Greenfield International School in Dubai Investment Park, shared her challenges with traffic. 'Although the drive to school typically takes less than 20 minutes, we leave the house at 7am though the school starts at 8am. We do this just to avoid traffic. Being just five minutes late can result in heavy congestion and long queues to enter the school. After dropping her off, the return is equally challenging, often taking 35 to 40 minutes due to the traffic,' she said. On Fridays, she often stays near the school to avoid the hassle of driving back home only to return later for pickup.
