As UAE schools reopen their doors for the new academic year, parents face the perennial challenge of driving through Dubai’s roads during peak hours.
Careem’s School Rides service has emerged as a popular transportation option, completing over 100,000 trips since its launch.
The Dubai-based ride-hailing company’s partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) offers parents a tech-enabled alternative to traditional school buses, addressing the annual back-to-school transit challenges faced by families across the emirate.
“Our focus has always been to continuously innovate and bring a diverse portfolio of locally catered products for everyday reliable and convenient commuting needs. The School Rides service, in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is one example of those efforts, which has been gaining increasing popularity with thousands of users benefiting from the discounted packages since its launch last year,” Antonio Al Asmar, General Manager at Careem told Arabian Business.
What is Careem School Rides?
Careem’s School Packages programme, introduced in April 2023, offers prepaid rides to and from schools within the city. The service has recorded over 100,000 trips since its launch.
The initiative, a collaboration between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and ride-hailing service Careem, seeks to address parents’ need for reliable school transport options.
However, the service operates under strict safety guidelines. Children under 8 years old are not permitted to travel alone and must be accompanied by an adult. Those aged 8-11 may use the service with written consent from a parent or guardian, while students 12 and older can travel independently.
“School Rides package offers 20 prepaid school rides, starting at just AED260 for one-way rides which are valid for a period of 60 days (as part of our introductory offering). Fares for School Rides are not subject to peak pricing and remain fixed regardless of demand. The packages are customised based on the customers’ home and school locations,” he said.
Careem currently offers UAE customers a diverse range of transport services to suit various requirements. These options include standard rides, luxury vehicles, electric cars, environmentally friendly choices, larger capacity vehicles, extended hire periods, and specialised services for children and school transport.
“At Careem Rides, we’re focused on facilitating reliable, convenient, and stress-free everyday commuting options through the Careem Everything app. Through continuous innovation, we are proud to be able to facilitate rides for people to move in and around their cities across the UAE using multiple ride-hailing options, like the popular School Rides service and we look forward to introducing even more options in the future,” Al Asmar concluded.
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