About First Student
The leading school transportation solutions provider in North America.
PARTNER WITH USProviding students with the best school transportation experience for more than 100 years
Our company’s history is full of successes surrounding industry innovation and streamlined operations. A partnership with First Student is much more than that. It’s a relationship centered around our shared commitment to caring for the children and bringing life to classrooms. By putting students first and listening to our district partners, we continue to create transportation solutions for communities big and small.
With a student-centric partnership model, all aspects of our operations ensure quality care for students and proactive support for our district partners.
- Safety
- Diversity and inclusion
- Operational excellence
- Technology
- Environmental and social responsibility
- Transparency and accountability
- Customer and community partnerships
- Student experience
- Innovation
112
Years in business
63,000+
Employees
545
Locations in the U.S. and Canada
It’s our mission to 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.
How we fulfill our mission, build close relationships, and trusted partnerships with the districts we serve:
- Focus on safety
Safety is at the heart of everything we do - Foster teamwork
Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, and champion diversity and inclusion - Care for our students
Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure - Surpass customer expectations
Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities - Set the highest standards
Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence
Caring experts in the industry
With our wide reach and deep know-how in different regulations and contracts, we’re ready to bring solutions to your district. As the largest student transportation provider in North America, we’ve handled all kinds of challenges — and now, we’re excited to bring that experience to you.
Annual and quarterly sustainability reports
See how our efforts are supporting sustainability. View our annual and quarterly sustainability reports below.
Accolades & awards
Operational awards
Contractor of the Year – 2023 NSTA (National School Transportation Association)
This award highlights our team’s dedication to delivering safe, reliable, and exceptional school transportation. It reaffirms our commitment to ensuring every child’s journey is secure, smooth, and enjoyable.
Technology awards
AutoTech Breakthrough Awards – 2025 AutoTech Breakthrough
The AutoTech Breakthrough Awards recognize excellence in automotive and transportation technology, honoring standout companies advancing connected vehicles, EVs, autonomous driving, and telematics. This recognition highlights First Student’s role as an industry leader in applying innovation to student transportation. Through its HALO™ platform, First Student is redefining safety, reliability, and efficiency, ensuring every ride is smarter and more connected.
Next Big Things in Tech – 2025 Fast Company
Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech Award spotlights groundbreaking innovations poised to transform industries and set new standards for progress. First Student earned recognition for its leadership in K-12 transportation, where the HALO™ platform unifies routing, safety, maintenance, and parent communications. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to modernizing school transportation and improving experiences for districts, families, and students.
Best Inventions – 2025 (Transportation)TIME TIME
TIME’s annual Best Inventions list honors 200 innovations reshaping the way people live, work, and connect. First Student was recognized in the transportation category for its HALO™ technology platform, which integrates AI-powered safety tools, predictive maintenance, and real-time visibility. This award reflects First Student’s mission to deliver safer, smarter, and more connected journeys that help students arrive ready to achieve their full potential.
Technology Strategy Impact – 2024 Forrester Research
This award recognizes our innovative use of technology to enhance the student experience, align with business goals, and drive positive impact through security, adaptability, and industry-leading solutions.
Electrification & EV awards
Green Product of the Year – 2024 Business Intelligence Group
This award recognizes First Charge, our innovative, containerized EV charging solution that accelerates fleet electrification. By reducing costs and installation time, it supports a scalable, sustainable transition to electric vehicles, driving innovation and a greener future.
Leading Private Fleet Award – 2024 ACT Expo
We are proud to be the first student transportation company to receive this prestigious award, joining industry leaders like Anheuser-Busch and Frito-Lay. This recognition highlights our leadership in adopting electric vehicles and advancing sustainable, energy-efficient transportation.
Workplace awards
Inc. 5000 – 2025 Inc. Magazine
The Inc. 5000 list recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, celebrating innovation, leadership, and sustained performance across industries. First Student earned a place on the list for its continued growth and success in transforming school transportation through technology, safety, and service excellence. This recognition underscores the company’s expanding impact and commitment to delivering safer, smarter, and more connected journeys for millions of students every day.
America’s Best Workplace for Women – 2024 Newsweek
We are honored to be named one of America’s Best Workplaces for Women by Newsweek, recognizing our commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where women can thrive, lead, and grow.
In the news
4 Student Transportation Companies Make 2025 Inc. 5000 List
schoolbus Fleet | Aug 2025
First Student Marks Major Milestones in Innovation, Service and Sustainability During 2024-2025 School Year
School Transportation News | June 2025
