COMMUTING to school can be a major problem for parents and students many of whom rely on school transportation. While some lament the overcrowding of school buses and the resulting stifling atmosphere in them, others complain about the unnecessary long wait they have to endure before being dropped off at their homes. “Our school buses are loaded and sometimes I cannot find a seat for myself. Without an air-conditioner there is little ventilation, and to top it all, the driver always unnecessarily argues with us,” remarked Ayesha Fatima, a student of Pakistan International School Jeddah (PISJ). She said the bus driver picks her up an hour before school time. “All the buses are old. We should have more buses to ease the stress on the existing ones,” Ayesha said. PISJ has 42 buses catering to about 4000 students. Of these, 37 are in use, while 5 are under maintenance. All buses make three trips. Apparently, school authorities claim that work is underway to improve their transport services. Mujahid Hussain, transport supervisor in PISJ said: “We don't take more than 30 students per bus. The air conditioners in buses are under repair and will start functioning soon. It is our utmost priority to provide the best possible service with the available resources.” A PISJ managing committee member, on conditions of anonymity, told the Saudi Gazette that the committee is working on all complaints regarding school buses. “Dents in buses have been repaired and the painting is complete. Work on the bus interiors is underway,” he said. The member said that 10 new buses will soon be introduced. “Grievances of parents and students are handled carefully and action is taken against any driver accused of misconduct,” he said. “We also have to consider their workload,” he added. Meanwhile, parents at the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) say the situation is no different there. “Because the buses are overcrowded, drivers do not even check if any student is missing. And if there are more teachers onboard, some senior students have to leave the bus,” remarked a mother of a 10th grader. She said that in spite of living in Al-Aziziah – a district close to the school – it takes her son more than 45 minutes to get home after school. “There is also a language barrier between the students and the driver,” she said. Sources at IISJ said that about 55 percent of the total students (10, 000 -12, 000) use school transportation. The school has 76 buses and each bus carries 30 to 35 passengers per trip. All buses work in three shifts with an added two trips per shift for nearby areas like Al-Aziziah and Al-Rehab districts. “We have a dedicated team which looks into such problems. A well-planned bus route map enables the smooth operation of all buses. However, heavy traffic on Jeddah streets slows down the commuting process,” said the source. He said the demand for school transportation is more than the number of available buses. “We have a long list of students who want the bus facility. New buses cannot be introduced due to financial reasons, Saudization rules for drivers and other such constraints. But we operate with only the latest models of buses,” the source said adding that the buses are periodically updated by selling the old buses and purchasing new ones. He said bus drivers never leave the school premises without ensuring that all students are onboard. The source denied the possibility of any language barrier. “Indian society is a multi-lingual society but there is no communication gap between the students and the driver,” he said. Akbar Basha, chairman of the IISJ managing committee said, “We are satisfied with the school's management. In case of grievances, parents can complain to the managing committee directly by email or the address mentioned on the school website. We regularly check it and take the required action.” “We make sure that all students reach home safely; it is our responsibility,” the source at IISJ said. Most private schools do not have their own buses. They operate with hired van drivers who charge a relatively high van fee. While PISJ and IISJ charge SR80 and SR100 respectively for school transport, the same in private schools could cost over SR125 and can vary based on the distance. Private van drivers are not bound by any contract with the school either. “My job is only to pick up and drop children of the private school and I have not signed any contract with the school. I take SR150 per child and carry 20 at a time. I am also responsible for the van's maintenance,” said Yusuf Ali, a driver. “Though the condition of the bus is good, it is very jampacked,” said Gazala Rasheed, a parent who pays SR125 for her ward's private school transport. Sources at a private school in Al-Rehab District with over 900 students using school transport said, “We have our own transport system consisting of 20 air-conditioned vans of the latest models unlike any other private school; that is why we charge up to SR175. We make sure that our students get the best.” The source said that few international schools charge more transport fees than they do. “Here in the Kingdom, parents face a dilemma: either pay more for transport or face problems due to poorly maintained vans,” he said. Parents say there is practically no check on the reckless driving of school drivers. “My son often complains about his driver's rough driving. He says the driver is always in a hurry to make the second trip. After making repeated complaints to the school management, they have not even come up with a reassuring response,” said Shahid Mohammed, a parent. His son studies in a private school in Al-Aziziah, which charges between SR125 and SR200 for transport depending on the distance. “We cannot question the drivers as they are not bound by a school contract and so they can quit their job with us and move to any other school,” sources at the school said. __
