TRAE: The economic impact and operability behind school transportation in the Dominican Republic
The National Student Transportation System (TRAE) has established itself as a fundamental pillar for public education in the country. During a recent appearance on the radio program Politikal, engineer Luis Felipe Cartagena, director of the entity, provided a detailed assessment of the service’s reach, describing it as a national commitment that transcends political lines and seeks to guarantee the well-being of Dominican families.
The economic impact is one of the most positive aspects of the project. According to official figures, after three years and seven months of operations, the system has facilitated more than 72.6 million trips. This free service translates into an accumulated savings of 21.768 billion pesos for Dominican households, a direct relief to the family budget that allows those resources to be reinvested in other basic needs.
Logistics, scope and operational efficiency
Currently, the network has an impressive infrastructure to guarantee student mobility:
- Active fleet: 1,871 buses in circulation.
- Coverage: 837 routes covering all 31 provinces and the National District.
- Daily volume: Between 215,000 and 245,000 students transported every day.
To achieve this logistics, the Ministry of Education coordinates with 122 district directors the geolocation of the stops. The system operates under an efficient rotation scheme, carrying out multiple routes in the morning hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.) and scheduled returns during midday and the afternoon, adjusting to the needs of the extended school day.
It is a sacred system where we carry the future of the country. It is not necessary to place military personnel on the buses because we have highly trained staff and a society that respects school transportation.
Eng. Luis Felipe Cartagena, Director of TRAE
Technology, inclusion and security
The TRAE does not only focus on transport, but also on safety and modernization. The centralized monitoring center uses artificial intelligence to detect any incident in real time, monitoring the interior of the units through cameras and audio systems. This rigor has allowed that, in more than 72 million transfers, no serious accidents have been recorded.
The commitment to modernization is reflected in the incorporation of 300 electric units, while the inclusive approach stands out with 50 buses adapted for children with disabilities, equipped with mechanical lifts and specialized personnel. In addition, all staff, consisting of drivers and assistants, receive 40 hours of technical training in vital areas such as first aid, traffic law, and citizen service.
Firmness in the face of incidents and expansion plans
Regarding episodes of aggression against staff, Cartagena was emphatic: the system acts immediately through its legal departments to ensure that justice prevails. Regarding the possibility of including the private sector, the director clarified that, although the current focus is exclusively for the public system’s student body, the network continues to grow. New routes have been approved for 35 additional communities, prioritizing rural areas and urban peripheries where the need for transportation is greatest.
