إلزامية وجود مرافق في حافلات نقل طلاب وطالبات المرحلة الابتدائية

The executive regulation for the educational transport activity has come into effect to outline a new phase of precise organization for the services provided to students of various educational stages, and to develop the transport activity for university and college students, school students, nursery and kindergarten children, as well as Quran memorization institutes.

The new regulation mandates the presence of an attendant on buses transporting elementary school students and below, with the attendant being at least 18 years old and having a clean criminal record. Their responsibilities include assisting students and ensuring their safety during boarding, disembarking, and throughout the journey.

The regulation, which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Public Transport Authority, aims to encourage investment in this vital sector while prioritizing security and safety requirements. It emphasized that establishments wishing to engage in this activity must obtain a license valid for three years, requiring them to meet a set of essential requirements that ensure their seriousness and ability to provide the service efficiently.

The regulation includes a number of conditions, the most important of which is to provide a minimum of five buses owned directly by the establishment or through leasing contracts. It does not overlook the role of individuals, as it allows Saudi citizens to engage in the activity with a single bus after obtaining an operating card, stipulating that the individual must be at least 25 years old and the owner of the bus directly, with the operating card being valid for one year.

Among the conditions for the buses is that their operational age must not exceed 12 years from the year of manufacture, that the bus color must be uniformly yellow, and that it be equipped with clear signs such as "Educational Bus" and a stop arm "Stop" on its sides. It is also necessary for the bus to undergo regular technical inspections and to have valid insurance coverage throughout the operational period. As for the bus drivers, they must hold a "Professional Driver Card," be at least 25 years old, have a clean criminal record, and pass the professional competency test approved by the authority.

The authority requires a daily quick inspection for the safety of the bus parts, ensuring that it is free of students after each trip, and that refueling does not occur while they are on board.

The regulation obliges all service providers to enter into official transport contracts with parents or educational institutions to define rights and obligations, which adds an institutional character to the relationship and preserves the rights of all parties, ensuring the provision of safe, organized, and reliable educational transport services throughout the Kingdom.