75-Min Cap On Abu Dhabi School Buses: UAE Doctors Say Long Commutes Affect Learning

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

As schools are set to reopen in a few days, excitement is in the air for many children. However, there is one aspect of going back to school that they may not be looking forward to: long commutes.

Some children wake up early to catch the bus and then spend over an hour on the road to get to school, often, their journey back home takes even longer. While such commutes can be frustrating for adults, doctors warn that the impact goes beyond tiredness and affects memory, concentration, and even musculoskeletal health in children.

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For parents like Alia Mohamed, whose son studies in Al Barsha, Dubai, while the family lives in Sharjah's Al Nahda, school commutes can stretch to nearly two hours each way.“He leaves the house at 6.30am, and on bad traffic days, it can take 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach school,” she said.

She noted that by the time her 10-year-old son is home in the afternoon, he's already exhausted, and it leaves very little time for homework or play.

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The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi, recently confirmed that all schools must provide transport services directly or through licensed operators, and that the journey time in each direction must not exceed 75 minutes.

Dr Manoj Chandran, Specialist in Pediatrics at Medcare Women and Children Hospital, says that one of the biggest concerns is children's sleep.“School-going children need at least eight hours of rest each night. For those spending more than an hour each way on the road, this is nearly impossible. Early wake-up times, homework, and evening activities leave many children chronically sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep directly affects concentration, memory, and learning in school and at home.”

Another concern is physical health.“Sitting for an extra two hours daily, often in poorly designed bus seats, can cause knee and hip discomfort, muscle tightness, and poor posture. It also takes away valuable time that could otherwise be spent on physical activity, essential for developing strength and resilience. Over time, this contributes to fatigue and musculoskeletal problems,” he said.

Not only sleep but also habits can be affected by long commutes, said Dr Vishrut Singh, Specialist in Paediatrics at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai. One example is discouraging children from drinking water.“Extended commutes also discourage hydration. Many children avoid drinking water on the bus, worried about discomfort, which can cause mild dehydration and further reduce energy and focus.”

The specialist also pointed out that many children skip breakfast just so they won't miss the bus, in addition to not getting enough sleep.“Children aged 5–12 need 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night, but long commutes often cut into this. Research shows that around 20–30 per cent of children skip breakfast, and those who miss this meal often perform worse in memory, attention, and academic tasks.”

Dr Yasir Shafi, Homoeopathy Practitioner at Wellth Clinic, added that there are signs parents and teachers should watch out for.“Parents and teachers should watch for warning signs such as constant yawning, difficulty focusing, irritability, frequent headaches, complaints of back pain or nausea, or a drop in academic performance. These may signal that long commutes are taking a toll on the child's health.”

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