School Minibuses Banned From Dubai's Roads

School minibuses will no longer feature on Dubai's highways by the end of 2013 as a result of an edict by the Roads and Transport Authority, according to local media reports.  Two people were killed and 63 injured in 30 minibus collisions in the first few months of 2013.

"These buses are very small, many not equipped with safety measures," Yousuf Al Ali, chief executive of the Public Transport Agency. "If there is an accident, the exit from the bus is difficult and chances of injury are higher."

The RTA said operators would be given time to replace their minibuses with 22-seater buses.

It's likely that the changes will result in increased costs for parents. The majority of schools outsource their transport to private companies which will be obliged now to purchase new buses.

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