Dominican student transport system moves thousands of pupils daily

The Dominican Republic's National Student Transportation System (TRAE) is a vital service, moving between 215,000 and 245,000 students daily with its fleet of 1,871 buses. Director Luis Felipe Cartagena highlighted these figures during the launch of "LA Agenda Semanal," a new government management tracking initiative. This system supports the projected 2,686,971 students enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year.

TRAE operates 837 routes, connecting 6,370 public educational centers across all 31 provinces and the National District. Since its implementation, the system has recorded 72,638,192 student transfers, resulting in an estimated savings of RD$21.7 billion for Dominican families. Student movements are meticulously tracked through onboard assistants and operational records.

The fleet includes 300 electric buses, with 50 specifically adapted to transport students with disabilities, underscoring the program's commitment to inclusion. Cartagena emphasized that TRAE enhances student safety and provides peace of mind to parents, particularly those who work while their children commute to school. The system utilizes geolocalized stops for efficient student pick-ups.

TRAE's growth also correlates with an increase in students transitioning from private to public schools, attracted by benefits beyond transportation, such as meals, uniforms, and school supplies. A real-time monitoring center oversees the buses, equipped with internal and external cameras and AI to detect driver behavior. The buses also offer internet connectivity, allowing students to complete assignments during their journeys.

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The system has registered 72,638,192 transfers of students, which, according to the figures presented by the director of TRAE, has represented an estimated saving of 21,732 million pesos for Dominican families.