As the back-to-school season approaches, you may be seeking ways to save time and money on your child’s school bus commute. Luckily, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) provides various options for parents in need of a dedicated taxi service for school pick-ups and drop-offs.
How to save with pre-booked taxi services for school transport
In 2023, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced the School Rides feature on the Careem app. This innovative service offers a convenient solution for parents by allowing them to pay for a single package that covers transportation for multiple children, eliminating the need to pay separately for each child. This not only simplifies the payment process but also ensures a hassle-free experience for parents and students alike.
Benefits of the RTA’s School Rides Taxi Service
– Receive up to a 34.5% discount: Save on fares compared to standard Careem rides.
– Family-friendly: Conveniently use the same package for multiple children attending the same school.
– No surge pricing: Say goodbye to unexpected fare hikes during busy hours.
– Real-time tracking: Keep an eye on your child’s journey for added peace of mind with the Careem app.
RTA’s age requirements for the service
– Children under the age of eight are not permitted to travel without an adult companion.
– Children between the ages of eight and eleven may travel with written consent from a parent or guardian.
– Children aged 12 and above are permitted to travel alone.
These guidelines ensure the safety and well-being of all young travelers.
How to book RTA’s ‘School rides’ through Careem
Step 1: Purchase the ‘School Rides’ package on the Careem app
To begin, open the Careem app on your Apple or Android device and navigate to the ‘All Services’ section on the home page. Locate the ‘School Rides’ option and tap on it.
Then, click on ‘Search Schools’ and enter the name of your school, confirming its location. Input your home address as well.
Afterwards, proceed to pay for the package. The cost will vary depending on the distance between your home and school, with prices starting at Dh260 for 20 rides. Once the payment is complete, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Booking your ‘School Rides’
Once you have purchased a package, you can use it to schedule rides to and from the school by following these steps:
Choose the drop-off location and confirm the pick-up location.
Review the details of your ride and ensure that the School Rides package is active on the booking.
Finally, click on ‘Yalla’ to confirm and book your ride.
Book a Dubai taxi for daily school runs
The Dubai Taxi Corporation provides an additional service for parents called “In Safe Hands.” This service allows parents to pre-book daily, weekly, or monthly taxi rides for their child’s school transportation needs.
Taxi fare for the ‘In Safe Hands’ service
According to the official website of Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) at dubaitaxi.ae, the service charges for taxis are as follows:
– A refundable deposit of Dh200 is required before the commencement of the service.
– The initial tariff begins at Dh25 and is then calculated at a rate of Dh3.67 per kilometer traveled.
These charges are subject to change and may vary depending on the specific taxi service being utilized.
Age requirement
Before booking your trip, please be aware that children under 13 must be accompanied by a guardian during travel. The guardian can either be a designated adult traveling with the child or a child who is 13 years of age or older.
How to book the taxi service
Step 1: Begin your journey by downloading the DTC app and booking a taxi.
• Start by downloading the ‘DTC’ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Once the app is downloaded, navigate to the homepage and select the ‘In Safe Hands’ service.
• Tap on ‘Book New’ to initiate the booking process.
Step 2: Provide passenger information
• You will be prompted to identify the assigned guardian for the trip. You have two options to choose from:
• A designated guardian will be accompanying the child, mandatory for children under 13 years old.
• A child above 13 years old will be the assigned guardian.
• Select the appropriate option and enter the guardian’s full name, mobile number, and Emirates ID number.
• Proceed by selecting the number of passengers in the taxi, excluding the guardian.
Step 3: Specify pickup and drop-off locations
• Utilize the app’s search bar to input the desired locations for pickup and drop-off.
Step 4: Customize the trip details
• Indicate whether the trip is one-way or two-way.
• Choose between a ‘repeated’ or ‘single’ trip, with ‘repeated’ being suitable for multiple days, weeks, or months.
• Specify the service duration, start and end dates, and preferred timing for the taxi.
• Select the days for the trip and set the pick-up and drop-off times.
Step 5: Confirm the booking and make payment
• Review the booking details and total cost, especially for repeated trips.
• Proceed to add your credit or debit card information to finalize the payment.
• Upon successful payment, you will receive a confirmation on the app, and the taxi will arrive as scheduled for pick-up or drop-off.
For any modifications to your booking, please contact the DTC call center at 800 88088.
Also Read: Is it legal to drive a friend’s or colleague’s car in the UAE?