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First Student

3.8

A First Student Company

firststudentinc.com
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Size
10,001+ employees
Revenue
$5 to $10 billion (USD)
Industry
School and Employee Bus Services
Founded
1999

North America's Premier Student Transportation Leader

First Student stands as North America's #1 pupil transportation provider, safely moving over 5 million students daily across 41 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, this industry leader operates a fleet of 44,500+ vehicles through 500+ locations, transporting more students than all U.S. airlines combined. With over 10,000 dedicated professionals and the industry's strongest safety record, First Student has become the trusted partner school districts rely on to start and end every school day right.

People First Culture and Safety Excellence

First Student's competitive advantage lies in its people. The company invests in highly-trained drivers and operational teams who leverage cutting-edge technologies and best practices to deliver consistent, quality service. Every team member understands that their work directly impacts students' educational journeys-recognizing the profound opportunity to influence each child's day in a positive way.

Comprehensive Career Opportunities

  • Over 1,000 active positions in driving, maintenance, operations, and administrative roles
  • Industry-leading training programs with rigorous safety protocols
  • Flexible scheduling options ideal for parents, retirees, and career-changers
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages
  • Career advancement opportunities across a national network
  • Purpose-driven work environment supporting education and student success

Beyond Transportation: Complete Solutions

As a subsidiary of FirstGroup America, First Student offers comprehensive transportation solutions including preventative maintenance, fuel management, route optimization, and fleet services. The company maintains close, trusted partnerships with school districts, remaining responsive to changing community needs throughout the academic year.

Making a Real Difference

Working at First Student means joining an organization that believes education provides children and families the foundation for productive, successful lives. Team members start and end each school day knowing they've contributed meaningfully to students' educational experiences, creating safe, reliable transportation environments where young minds can focus on learning and achieving their full potential.

Mission

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

First Student safely transports over 5 million students daily across North America, moving more students than all U.S. airlines combined through its network of 44,500+ vehicles.

Safer, Calmer, Happier: Berkshire Local School District's Students Feel the First Student Difference

De-escalation behavioral training plus close school-family coordination builds trust, and better transportation experiences. CINCINNATI, Nov. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the company setting the standard for innovation and transforming the student transportation experience, today announced the success of its First Serves program with Berkshire Local School District in Berkshire, OH, where the proprietary behavioral training and support program is transforming the student...

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First Student to Share Special Education Transportation Playbook at 2025 National Council of Administrators of Special Education Conference

Head of Student Services Will McDermott highlights how First Student's proprietary training program drives a 27% reduction in on-vehicle behavioral incidents. CINCINNATI, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the company setting the standard for innovation and transforming the school transportation industry, today announced that Will McDermott, head of student services, will present at the 2025 Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) conference. CASE is an international...

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Driving the Future of School Bus Safety: First Student's HALO™ Technology Platform - Powered with Advanced AI Insights - Takes Center Stage at the NYSE

First Student and Samsara kick off National School Bus Safety Week with new standard for safety, performance and community engagement CINCINNATI, Oct. 20, 2025 /CNW/ -- First Student, the company setting the standard for innovation in school transportation, is proud to join schools and communities nationwide in celebrating National School Bus Safety Week, October 20-24, 2025. The company is marking the week with a Technology & Analyst Day at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, October 20,...

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First Student's Groundbreaking HALO Platform Named Fast Company's "Next Big Thing In Tech" for Creating Safer, Smarter, and More Connected School Transportation

CINCINNATI, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the company setting the standard for innovation in school transportation, has been selected by Fast Company as the winner of its Next Big Thing in Tech Award. First Student's HALO(TM) platform has set a new standard in K-12 school transportation by streamlining over 5.5 million student journeys per day into a single, integrated technology solution for students, drivers, parents, and school districts. HALO represents a significant step...

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First Student's HALO™ Named a TIME Best Invention of 2025

First-of-its-kind tech platform recognized for impact on school transportation safety, reliability, and transparency CINCINNATI, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the company setting the standard for innovation in school transportation, today announced its proprietary tech platform, HALO(TM), was named to TIME's list of Best Inventions of 2025. HALO is recognized in the Transportation category for transforming the way school districts, families, and drivers experience school...

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