Parents in Sharjah have turned to car sharing for their children after some private schools increased their bus fees.
Several schools increased their transport fees this year, with rises ranging from 20 per cent to 52 per cent.
Parents of children attending Rosary Private School said fees have increased from Dh3,500 to Dh4,500.
“I didn't register my three children for the school bus this year because I can't afford it,” Younis Mohammed, 45, told The National.
“Instead my brother and I are car-sharing despite work commitments.”
Mr Mohammed, who is from Jordan, said he drops the children off at school in the morning, while his brother picks them up in the afternoon.
I didn't register my three children for the school bus this year because I can't afford it
Younis Mohammed
His brother, Yousif Mohammed, who has two children in the same school, said traffic this year has become worse since parents are driving to school.
“Many parents, some of who I know, didn't register their children [for the bus] since fees were increased,” said Yousif Mohammed.
Mother-of-two Qamar Mohammed, 39, said the International School of Choueifat, where her children are enrolled, also substantially increased the bus fee.
Parents were sent fee tables – seen by The National – that showed trips within the emirate have risen to Dh5,500, from Dh3,600 last year.
“The fee surged from Dh5,100 to Dh6,500 for journeys from Sharjah to Dubai, while costs increased from Dh4,200 to Dh5,700 for trips from Sharjah to Ajman,” she said.
The National approached Rosary Private School and the International School of Choueifat for comment but they did not immediately respond.
Community help
Car-sharing in the UAE is legal, but it is illegal if drivers charge for rides.
In 2019, Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport launched a carpooling system to help reduce the number of cars on the road.
It aimed to allow residents to sign up to offer lifts to others, as well as look up potential rides from others.
Ms Mohammed said some parents have turned to WhatsApp groups to find others who are willing to car-share.
“Each mother is looking for a parent who lives in the same area, asking them to drop off the children and another parent to pick them up,” she said.
Sharjah Private Education Authority previously told The National that private schools are entitled to apply for fee increases in accordance with governing rules.
The authority also clarified that any change in fee structure is communicated to parents explicitly, during the initial enrolment or re-enrolment.
Financial burden on schools
Amin El Nezami, chairman of Victoria English School in Sharjah, told The National that operating school buses is not profitable.
“Generally, almost all private schools in Sharjah are not making a profit from buses because the operational costs are high,” he said.
These include, he said, licensing from different authorities in each emirate as well as the cost of a bus, which is Dh400,000.
“More costs come from insurance fees, fuel prices, drivers and supervisor salaries, not to mention the costs of regular bus maintenance,” he added.
Emirates Transport, which caters to 246,924 pupils across 615 schools in the UAE, told The National that bus rental prices for schools are influenced by several factors.
The age of buses, whether the lease is based on the number of buses or pupils, whether a supervisor is needed and whether specific technology is required must all be taken into account.
The company said it has competitive prices and does not sacrifice service quality or safety for its fleet of more than 9,100 vehicles.
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All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Always use only regulated platforms
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