Saudi students have been given a clear reminder ahead of the new school year: breaking school bus safety rules could mean losing access to school transport.
The Ministry of Education has said that students who fail to follow the rules may be suspended from the service for a set period. In more serious or repeated cases the suspension will be applied to the rest of the academic year as well. The warning comes as families across the Kingdom prepare for the return to school.
Applications for school transport are now being accepted through the Noor electronic system, with registration available for male and female students across all three stages of general education.
The annual cost of the service is SAR 200. Children from families receiving social security support and students with disabilities are exempt from the fee. For students whose transport privileges have been withdrawn, the SAR 200 registration fee will not be refunded.
What Students Need to Know
The ministry has laid out a list of rules covering everything from getting on the bus to what students can do while they’re travelling.
Students should wait at the designated pick-up points, board and leave the bus calmly and remain in their assigned seats during the journey. Seatbelts must be worn, while the driver’s instructions should always be followed.
Kids are also reminded to keep their hands, heads and other body parts inside the vehicle. Dangerous items are banned from school buses altogether.
Keeping the bus tidy is part of the rules, too. Students are expected to look after the vehicle and respect other passengers’ belongings. If they accidentally get on the wrong bus or miss their usual stop, they should tell the driver straight away.
Getting off the bus safely is another key part of the new guidance. Students should wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before leaving. Once they are outside, they should wait for the bus to move away before crossing the road and make sure it is safe to do so.
In case there is an accident or emergency, students should stay calm and follow the driver’s instructions. Emergency exits should be used, when necessary, with pupils leaving the vehicle in an orderly manner.
What Parents Should Know
A few rules apply to parents as well. Parents are not allowed to board school buses and should direct any concerns to the school’s transport supervisor or use the toll-free service provided by the Educational Transportation Development Company. They have also been asked not to interfere with routes set by the school transport operator.
For families using school buses this year, the message is simple: following the rules isn’t just about keeping the journey orderly. It could also determine whether a student gets to keep their place on the bus.
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