First Student, the trusted leader in student transportation, is expanding its operations in Northern California. The West Valley Transportation Agency (WVTA) has selected the company to provide special education bus transportation to students in the San Jose area.
A fleet of more than 50 school buses with leading-edge technology will begin to transport students when the new five-year contract begins in September. For the first time, buses in the WVTA will be equipped with GPS, providing the exact location and speed of the bus at any given time. First Student leads the industry in installing advanced tools such as GPS systems, crossing gates and Child Check-Mate on buses. These offerings are a key reason WVTA decided to award First Student the contract.
“We look forward to working closely with the West Valley Transportation Agency to provide the best start and finish to the school day for its students,” said Liz Sanchez, First Student senior vice president. “Our industry-leading safety record, rigorous driving training programs and commitment to customer service allow us to deliver the safest, most efficient transportation in the business. We are proud to be able to offer WVTA tailored solutions that will result in quality, consistent service.” As part of its new partnership with First Student, WVTA will also have access to electronic routing, enabling WVTA to maximize route efficiencies. With more than a century of experience, First Student is regularly able to provide a comprehensive assessment of a district’s current routing operations, including systems, processes and people, combining the right technology and resources to meet the needs of the community. Eleven school districts comprise the WVTA. The districts include:
- Cambrian School District
- Campbell Union High School District
- Campbell Union School District
- Lakeside Joint School District
- Loma Prieta Joint Union School District
- Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District
- Los Gatos Union School District
- Luther Burbank School District
- Moreland School District
- Saratoga Union School District
- Union School District
First Student is one of the largest providers of special education transportation services in North America. The company invests heavily in special training and equipment to safely transport students with special needs. As a result of this commitment to training, safety and technology, First Student buses are twice as safe as the industry average.
About First Student, Inc. As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. First Student completes six million student journeys each day, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, and charter services for 1,300 school district contracts. For more information, please visit firststudentinc.com.
###