As the new academic year approaches in the United Arab Emirates, some parents are preparing for increased school transportation costs. Notably, families using the STS Group’s bus services at GEMS Winchester School in Dubailand have been notified of a 5 percent fee increase for the 2026-27 school year. The company attributed the rise to higher operational costs required to maintain safety and service standards.
Parents who wish to continue using the bus services are also being asked to complete re-registration processes to secure their children’s seats for the upcoming term.
Dinesh Kothari, founder and Managing Director of Delhi Private School Dubai (DPS), commented on broader fee adjustments, noting that the past months have been challenging for schools amid rising operational expenses. Transport fees at DPS, he said, have been increased by approximately 3 to 4 percent for the new academic session as part of efforts to keep costs manageable.
“We are committed to addressing the challenges faced by parents and trying to mitigate the impact as best as we can,” Kothari added, acknowledging the financial pressures on families.
The STS Group clarified that transport fee adjustments differ among schools, as fees are negotiated individually based on each school’s contract and specific operational needs. The company emphasized that there is no uniform increase applied across all its partnered institutions.
STS Group reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining long-term partnerships with schools and delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality transportation for students and their families.
For many parents, the increased transport fees represent an additional expense on top of tuition, uniforms, books, and extracurricular activities as they prepare for the school year. Kothari expressed optimism, highlighting the leadership in the UAE and the hope for improved conditions in the coming year.
“We hope the coming year will be full of hope and better times under the visionary leadership of the rulers of the UAE,” he said.