According to experts, the smoother road conditions experienced during school breaks could become a year-round reality if commuters adopt smarter travel choices, including more school bus usage and flexible work schedules.
The smoother traffic conditions experienced across the UAE during school holidays could continue throughout the year, at least to some extent, even after schools resume, according to experts.
Although the summer break naturally removes thousands of daily school-related trips from the roads, transport and workforce specialists believe that some of the benefits could be maintained by better managing and distributing travel demand.
Staggered office hours, flexible start times, limited work-from-home arrangements, carpooling, and increased reliance on school buses could help ease congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads during peak morning and evening hours.
The smoother traffic conditions experienced across the UAE during school holidays could be sustained throughout the year, at least in part, after schools reopen, experts say.
While the summer break naturally removes thousands of school-run trips from the roads, transport and workforce specialists believe some of the improvement can be maintained by spreading travel demand more evenly.
“Each summer, we observe a noticeable improvement in morning traffic flow,” said Steve Burnell, CEO of STS Group, the UAE’s largest private school bus operator. “While overall traffic volumes naturally reduce during the school holidays, it highlights an important lesson: congestion is often a timing issue rather than simply a volume issue.”
Burnell said measures such as staggered office hours, flexible working arrangements and greater use of school buses could help existing roads function more efficiently “without building a single new lane”.
The issue has gained attention as residents experience shorter travel times during school breaks, especially on routes affected by school drop-offs, office commutes and inter-emirate travel.
Previous Dubai government studies have shown that introducing a two-hour flexible start window, combined with four to five remote-working days each month, could reduce morning peak travel times by 30 per cent.
The studies also indicated that if 20 per cent of employees worked remotely, traffic volumes could decrease by 9.8 per cent on Sheikh Zayed Road and 8.4 per cent on Al Khail Road.
Looking beyond school traffic
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, said school-related journeys contribute to rush-hour congestion but are only one part of a wider challenge.
“Yes, school drop-offs and pick-ups contribute to rush-hour congestion, but they are surely not alone to be blamed,” he said.
Their impact is likely to be more noticeable in areas with a high concentration of schools, although detailed comparative data was not immediately available.
Edelmann said flexible working measures could support smoother traffic flow but should be combined with additional solutions.
“Overall smoother movement can be sustained through practical changes such as staggered office timings, flexible start hours and increased work-from-home options,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of increasing vehicle occupancy through approved car-pooling schemes and wider adoption of school buses.
According to an RTA study cited by Edelmann, a single school bus can replace as many as 50 private cars on the road.
He said greater use of buses could improve safety, sustainability and the daily experience of students, suggesting that authorities could consider supporting or subsidising school transport to encourage wider adoption.
School buses as part of the solution
Burnell said school transport should be viewed as a solution rather than a cause of congestion.
“School buses are part of the solution, not the problem,” he said. “Congestion around schools is driven as much by travel behaviour as it is by road capacity.”
The UAE already has a highly regulated school transport system capable of safely moving large numbers of students, he added.
The challenge is encouraging more families who have alternatives to choose school buses instead of making individual car journeys.
“Every additional child travelling by bus means one fewer private vehicle contributing to peak-hour congestion, while also reducing emissions and improving safety around our schools,” Burnell said.
Earlier this year, Dubai introduced a pilot programme aimed at reducing individual school trips.
The school transport pooling trial, launched by the Roads and Transport Authority with Yango Group and Urban Express, uses shared SUVs to transport students from nearby schools who travel along similar routes.
The initiative aims to reduce congestion, travel times, transport costs and carbon emissions. If successful, it could be expanded to other communities or adapted for additional shared mobility solutions.
Flexible work could play a role
Workplace changes are expected to be another important factor in reducing peak-hour congestion.
Mahesh Shahdadpuri, group chairman of TASC Outsourcing, said workplace flexibility has evolved from being an employee benefit into a broader business strategy.
Many companies have invested in digital collaboration tools and performance systems, allowing some organisations to move away from traditional fixed schedules.
“For many office-based roles, a two-hour start window is a realistic option that can improve employee wellbeing while helping ease congestion during peak commuting hours,” he said.
Instead of returning completely to pre-pandemic working patterns, many employers are adopting what Shahdadpuri described as “structured flexibility”.
This approach allows employees greater autonomy while maintaining clear expectations around teamwork, accountability and business performance.
For flexible working to become more widespread, companies need clear policies, measurable goals, supportive leadership and technology that enables effective collaboration, he said.
“Flexibility must be designed around each organisation’s operational needs, with successful implementation depending on trust, clear communication, and a strong focus on outcomes and accountability.”
Not all sectors can adopt remote work
Industries such as professional services, technology, finance, consulting and corporate functions are among those best suited to flexible working arrangements.
However, sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, retail and logistics rely more heavily on employees being physically present.
Even in these industries, companies may still be able to introduce staggered shifts or more flexible schedules without affecting service delivery.
Employers’ main concerns often involve productivity, supervision, collaboration, workplace culture and meeting customer expectations.
Shahdadpuri said these challenges are frequently linked to unclear processes or outdated management approaches rather than flexibility itself.
“Organisations that define clear objectives, invest in leadership capability, and equip teams with the right collaboration tools are finding that flexibility can coexist with high performance,” he said.
