From supporting a child's education to helping the environment, First Student is proud to join the American School Bus Council (ASBC) in raising awareness about the many benefits school buses bring communities during Love the Bus Month this February. The company is leading the way in delivering innovative transportation solutions for school districts and families across North America.
First Student is pioneering new technology to provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school. In the coming months, the company will deploy brand new electric school buses (ESBs) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Tacoma, Washington. Hundreds of students and their bus drivers will benefit from a cleaner and quieter ride to start and end the school day. First Student currently has more electric school buses in operation than any other school transportation provider and is nearing 5 million miles of service with ESBs.
Cutting-edge technology has also made school buses safer than ever. The innovations include GPS, driver tablets with turn-by-turn directions, digital cameras, crossing gates, an electronic reminder system designed to prevent a student from being left unattended on a bus, and a bus-tracking app to alert parents to delays or issues.
"Helping students reach their full potential by delivering an exceptional experience on our school buses is what drives us every day," said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. "We are proud to be transforming the journey to and from school through electric school buses and other innovative technology. These advancements help ensure our vehicles remain our trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure, providing school districts and their families with even more reasons to love the bus."
More than 5.5 million students ride First Student school buses every day. There is no safer way for them to get to and from school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are approximately 70 times safer than passenger cars and 10 times safer than walking.
First Student is also improving student safety through its groundbreaking behavioral training program, FirstServes. The program empowers bus drivers and attendants with specialized training to support the individual needs of all students, including those with intellectual, physical or emotional disabilities. School districts that utilize FirstServes have reported a 27% reduction in behavior incidents on school buses, creating a measurably better bus-riding experience.
During Love the Bus Month, First Student's mascot, Safety Dog, will visit the Corona-Norco Unified School District in California to raise awareness about school bus safety and empower young bus riders to feel confident riding to and from school. At the event, Safety Dog will join students as they learn simple safety tips through interactive activities, including signing a safety pledge.
ASBC created Love the Bus Month in 2007. Held every February, it raises awareness and appreciation for the experience of riding the school bus.
