THE decision of Gems management to discontinue bus service to their students to various emirates saying that the services are under loss is baseless.
Their buses used to carry average 80 students (three students per seat) and depending on the destination and school, the transporting charges vary.
To Sharjah from Dubai, they charge Dh160 per student and for 20 days their income would be minimum Dh12,800 for 80 students.
The Sharjah service may run 100 km per day and total 2,000 km per month, where they have to pay maximum Dh4,000 for fuel, Dh3,500 for bus staff (maximum) and another Dh3,000 for maintenance.
They are earning a minimum profit of Dh2,000 from each bus per month. At the same time, the students inside the buses are unattended by any officials leaving them to fight each other in the buses.
Other schools functioning here are providing transportation to their students and have no intention to discontinue the service.
Therefore, the authorities should not give ear to their demand and at the same time instruct them to continue the service at the existing rate.
- NM Reghu, Sharjah
Page last updated 01 January 2020