Monday, August 5, 2024 First Student, a trusted name in school transportation for millions of families, is preparing for its most significant school year yet. The company plans to enhance student safety, expand its fleet with clean electric school buses, and conduct the highest number of student transportation trips in North America. This school year, First Student anticipates: Complete 1 billion student transportation trips Transport 5.
5 million students daily Drive 525 million miles Serve over 19,000 schools Provide student transportation services across 43 states Employ nearly 50,000 drivers “Back to school is one of the best times of the year for our team because we get to help students start their school year off the right way,” said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. “We are ready to deliver exceptional service with our biggest, safest and most electric school year ever. First Student is proud of our proven, industry-leading solutions in electrification, alternative transportation and fleet management that serve the school districts and families that trust us with their students.
We are driving the future with safety, innovation and unparalleled operational excellence, and our goal is ensuring every student receives the best possible ride to and from school.” First Student is leading the way as the largest operator of electric school buses in North America, actively working towards its goal of transitioning 30,000 diesel buses to electric by 2035. The company has secured over $400 million in rebates from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program and other initiatives, enabling it to accelerate its commitment to providing healthier and safer rides for students through electrification.
This school year, First Student plans to: FirstServes, the company’s innovative student behavior improvement and special needs support program, has recently reported a significant reduction in disruptive incidents on school buses, with a decrease of up to 27% year-over-year. Developed in collaboration with leading experts in child behavior and special education, FirstServes offers structured planning and support, providing targeted training for drivers and on-vehicle monitors. First Student has also expanded FirstServes as a standalone option for school districts, whether transportation is contracted out or managed in-house.
“By deploying FirstServes across our school districts and offering it to any district in North America, we can meaningfully reduce behavioral incidents and make bus rides safer than ever,” said First Student Head of Student Services Will McDermott . “We are excited for the 2024-2025 school year because this transformational program will serve more students than ever. We are proud to meet each individual school district’s needs in bridging the gap between the classroom and the school bus, making rides safer and better for everyone on board our buses.
” “By implementing FirstServes in our school districts and extending its availability to any district across North America, we can significantly reduce behavioral incidents and make bus rides safer than ever,” said Will McDermott, Head of Student Services at First Student. “We are thrilled about the 2024-2025 school year as this transformative program will benefit more students than ever before. We take pride in addressing the unique needs of each school district, bridging the gap between the classroom and the school bus, and ensuring safer, more enjoyable rides for everyone on board our buses.
” “FirstAlt is serving more students with special transportation needs than ever before, alleviating stress for more parents and school districts while providing reliable, trustworthy transportation,” said First Student Vice President of FirstAlt Gregg Prettyman . “FirstAlt has developed custom technology specifically designed to address the unique challenges of alternative transportation and meets kids where they are, both geographically and with their needs. Districts that utilize FirstAlt are delivering well-trained, professional and caring support to the students who depend on them the most.
” First Student is the preferred school transportation provider in North America, offering the only comprehensive K-12 transportation solution that accommodates all student needs and vehicle types. For over a century, First Student has been delivering innovative, sustainable transportation options to school districts, setting the standard for excellence in the industry..
