First Student is more than just a service provider — we’re a vital partner in the communities we serve. When you choose us, you choose a company that weaves caring for students into every practice, every day. Our full suite of transportation services includes:
Commitment to Our Customers
Benefits of Contracting
Driver Recruitment
Fleet Maintenance
Special Needs Bus Transportation
Routing
Early Childhood Services
Get answers to frequently asked questions like “how can contracting transportation services save my district money?” and others
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Every student deserves to arrive at school stress-free and ready to learn. But not every student has access to reliable transportation. First Student has solved this challenge with our new program, FirstAlt.
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Student transportation isn’t one size fits all. Whether you need help maintaining your buses, managing your operations or rethinking routes – we can tailor our services to fit your needs.
Transportation Consulting
Electrification
Routing
Fleet Management & Maintenance
Transportation Management
Safety & Special Needs Training
Consulting Services Overview
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Vans are more than a vehicle — they’re safe, reliable transportation that can be transformative for your students, particularly those who live remotely or have special needs. Our van transportation services help all students succeed while providing your district with an efficient and flexible mode of transportation.
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When you’re looking for safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for your outing, turn to FirstCharter for your full-service charter needs. From weddings to corporate events to summer camp transportation, FirstCharter gets you there safely and on time.
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First Student offers training options for new and experienced drivers and monitors to prepare them to get behind the wheel. We have specialized programs for different skill levels, and a special needs program with wide-ranging support for students in special populations. No matter your training needs, our programs produce a prepared and professional transportation team.
New Driver CLP Training
Entry Level Driver Training
First Student Driver Training
Special Needs Training
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First Student’s student services division is dedicated to providing students with the support they need for a positive experience on their way to and from school. Learn how and who is behind this work here.
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Our integrated solutions incorporate the latest technologies with safety, efficiency, and compassion in mind. These solutions allow you to address everything from mechanics to student behavior quickly, effectively, and with care. Our on-board technologies include:
DriverHub On-Board Tablet Tech
FirstView Bus Tracking
DriverScore Safety Monitoring
FirstActs Behavior Tracking
First Student Partners with Xenia Community Schools
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First Student embraces eco-friendly practices — like the use of the electric school bus — to help heal the planet our students will inherit.
Electric Buses
EV Consulting
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As demand for electric vehicles grows, the need for EV charging infrastructure grows along with it. Introducing FlexCharge™ – an innovative charging infrastructure solution from First Student that goes beyond the ordinary. As early adopters, we proactively navigated through numerous challenges, laying the groundwork for the innovation of FlexCharge.
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FirstServes™ is a special education training and communications program that aligns First Student with districts and parents to support students and ensure we deliver them physically safe and emotionally ready to learn. It serves as a cultural change agent by educating drivers, entire locations, and participating districts.
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Because the students we serve are at the heart of all we do, we hire employees who also share this core value. Through our comprehensive training program, we equip our local bus drivers with the tools to address issues such as injury prevention, behavioral management, and specialized equipment procedures.
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See how DriverScore provides effective coaching and improves our safety culture
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First Student school buses operate under stringent safety protocols and are packed with state-of-the-art safety features to protect our students. From high-definition GPS systems to well-anchored seats with high backs and heavy padding, our buses come equipped with the safest gear so our students have secure rides from home to school and back again.
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You don’t just need a fleet of buses — you need a fleet that runs safely and well. Our fleet management and bus maintenance programs are among the most exacting and innovative in the industry, helping you to prevent bus breakdowns, high maintenance and fuel costs, excessive fuel consumption, and short fleet life cycles.
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First Student embraces eco-friendly practices — like the use of the electric school bus — to help heal the planet our students will inherit.
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Electrification is not as simple as buying a bus and plugging it in. There are many steps and discussions that need to happen before you can purchase an electric school bus and charger. One of the benefits of consulting with an organization that owns and operates the largest EV school bus fleet in North America is that we have the knowledge and expertise to provide a strategic plan that is best suited for your fleet and district.
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At First Student, we’re committed to developing and implementing innovative environmental practices and programs for all of the communities we serve. From reducing gas emissions with the use of electric school buses to supporting research into alternative fuel use, we’re determined to leave behind a healthier planet for every student.
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Every school we serve has its own needs, which is why we provide resources to help each school reach its individual goals. From tips on alleviating bus driver shortages to incorporating electric buses into existing bus fleets, First Student delivers the resources our school partners require.
Contracting Services Benefits
Contracting Services: Q&A
Contracting: Fact or Fiction?
Benefits of Contracting
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First Student understands the responsibility that comes with transporting children safely, reliably, and with the utmost care. From first-time rider school bus tips to bus-tracking apps, First Student provides parents with a wealth of resources they can access for information and peace of mind.
New Rider Safety Tips
Today’s Yellow School Bus
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When you partner with First Student, you partner with a company that invests itself in your community. Throughout North America, we help communities organize festivals, fundraisers, and school supply donations as well as recognize exemplary local employees that make a difference.
Commitment to the Community
Winter Safety Tips
Distracted Walking Tips
Tips for Motorists
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Safety Dog, First Student’s safety mascot, helps students put a face on safety while understanding the importance of safe school bus behavior. When meeting Safety Dog, students have a chance to understand the important role they play in school bus safety in a fun, interactive, and memorable way.
Safety Dog Activities
Safety Dog Says
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You plan your perfect event or activity, let us worry about getting your group to their destination. Our school buses are driven and maintained by our team of highly-trained professionals, ensuring your event transportation is safe, reliable and on time.
Because of First Student’s size and resources, we make charter services easily accessible and affordable for all groups. The average school bus rental is up to 50% cheaper than renting a coach bus.
At First Student Charter, we offer flexible vehicle types, including accessibility options. Our standard yellow school buses can accommodate up to approximately 48 adults per bus. For youth, our standard yellow school buses can accommodate up to approximately 72 children per bus.
First Student Charter offers services in 41 states and eight Canadian provinces. We provide custom transportation services for any size event, whether it’s one bus for 40 people or a fleet of buses to transport thousands of people. And if you’re holding a large event, we can provide everything from logistics planning to on-site coordination.
Passengers per bus
Locations across
North America
Customizable
Hourly rate
Our free, no-obligation quote form at firstcharterbus.com is fast and easy.
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191 Rosa Parks Street, 8th Floor,
Cincinnati, OH 45202
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