CINCINNATI — More than 25 million students and their families rely on school buses for safe and reliable daily transportation. First Student joins the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) in raising awareness about how “1 Bus + 1 Driver= A BIG Impact on Education,” the theme for this year’s National School Bus Safety Week, October 17 to 21.
Riding a bus is the safest way for students 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.
School bus drivers are the most highly-trained drivers on the road. First Student invests heavily in driver hiring, training and development to lead the industry in safety. The company’s drivers typically take part in more than 40 hours of training before driving a school bus.
“At First Student, we recognize the tremendous amount of trust school districts and families place in us to deliver a safe and stress-free bus ride,” said First Student Senior Vice President of Safety and Security Darryl Hill. “We are committed to going the extra mile to provide an exceptional experience on every route for every student. By creating an environment of trust and respect on our buses, students arrive to school feeling secure and ready to achieve their full potential.”
Technology has also made school buses safer than ever. First Student has long been a pioneer in developing, implementing and investing in cutting-edge technology to modernize transportation services for school districts and bring peace of mind to families. The company is actively pursuing the electrification of tens of thousands of vehicles in its fleet, making it the largest operator of zero-emission school buses in North America.
First Student was the first in the industry to install GPS systems and crossing gates on school buses. Over the years, these innovations have also included driver tablets, digital cameras, an electronic reminder system designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus, and a bus-tracking app to alert parents to delays or issues.
During National School Bus Safety Week, First Student will share the essential benefits school buses bring communities on its social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter. The company will also recognize various team members for their hard work and dedication. More than 50,000 First Student drivers, monitors, dispatchers and technicians come together every school day to provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school.
First Student also promotes school bus safety with its Safety Dog Bus Tour. The Tour will stop in Granite City, Illinois, during National School Bus Safety Week. Students will learn simple safety tips, sign a safety pledge and meet Safety Dog, the safety mascot for First Student.
NAPT sponsors National School Bus Safety Week and a student poster contest annually during the third week of October. The campaign brings national and local attention to the importance of school bus safety.
About First Student
As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. 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, scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of about 40,000 buses. For more information, visit firststudentinc.com.