Kuwait to deploy 2,300 new school buses fitted with cameras to improve student safety
. . . as authorities target traffic congestion
Ministries of Education and Interior have stepped up traffic-safety measures with the start of the new school year, focusing on reducing congestion around schools and improving the safety of students travelling to and from school.
The Ministry of Interior has launched its annual “Prevention and Safety” campaign, aimed at encouraging students and parents to follow preventive practices while reminding motorists of traffic regulations and the need for safe pedestrian crossings around schools.
1,416 buses currently operating
The Ministry of Education’s Public Services Department currently operates about 1,416 school buses serving intermediate and secondary students, both boys and girls. The buses are subject to safety requirements and periodic inspections and are fitted with tracking devices that allow their movements to be monitored by the operating company, educational districts and the ministry.
Assistant Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial and Technical Affairs Mohammad Al-Khalidi said the ministry coordinates with the Interior Ministry’s Traffic Congestion Committee to determine bus departure times and organize transportation services, particularly in new residential areas.
The ministry also monitors the eligibility of bus drivers. If a bus breaks down or is delayed, the Public Services Department is immediately notified and coordinates the deployment of a replacement vehicle. In the event of an accident, the ministry works with the operator and educational district to take the necessary measures, including arranging alternative transportation for students.
2,300 new buses planned
The ministry is preparing to sign new school-bus contracts after completing the required procedures with regulatory authorities. The contracts will provide 2,300 new buses equipped with surveillance cameras to serve students across the three educational stages.
An escort will also be assigned to each new bus serving boys and girls, while female escorts are already provided on buses serving special education schools.
Demand for school transportation is currently higher among female students than male students, Al-Khalidi said. Registration requires approval from the student’s guardian.
Bus scheduling aimed at easing congestion
The Public Services Department coordinates annually with the Interior Ministry’s Traffic Congestion Committee to establish school-bus departure times and develop operating arrangements for new residential areas. The aim is to spread bus movements more efficiently, improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during school arrival and departure periods.
School-bus drivers told Al-Rai that boarding and disembarking are generally organized, with students showing discipline at designated stops. They also credited Interior Ministry patrols with improving traffic movement around schools, particularly during morning rush hours.
Parents similarly welcomed the traffic arrangements and increased police presence around schools, while stressing that continued public awareness and compliance with traffic rules are essential to protecting students and maintaining smooth traffic flow.
Overall, the expanded use of monitored school buses is being positioned as a dual solution for safety and congestion: providing supervised transportation for students while reducing the number of private vehicles gathering around schools during peak hours.
