Awards & testimonials
Our commitment to excellence earns recognition – and drives us forward.
Industry awards
Achievement in Product Innovation – 2025
Stevie Award
This Silver Award recognizes First Student’s groundbreaking HALO™ technology platform. Developed in-house, HALO™ integrates every aspect of First Student’s operations, from recruiting and training to routing, dispatching, vehicle telematics and predictive maintenance, into a unified system that provides a real-time, 360-degree view of every vehicle and student journey.
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.
Best Inventions – 2025 (Transportation)
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.v
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.
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.
Scalable Clean Transportation Energy – 2025
Edison Awards
This award recognizes our First Charge solution, a modular, above-ground charging infrastructure engineered to overcome operational challenges for electric school buses and medium- to heavy-duty vehicles. This recognition exemplifies First Student’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that empower customers to transition to cleaner, more efficient transportation.
World’s Most Innovative Companies – 2025
Fast Company
This award ranks First Student 6th in the transportation category for Fast Company’s annual list of World’s Most Innovative Companies. This recognition highlights First Student’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation, as it advances electric student transportation with cost-saving EV charging solutions, accelerates fleet electrification, and reduces carbon emissions.
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.
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.
America’s Best Workplace for Diversity – 2024
Newsweek
We are honored to be named one of America’s Best Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek, recognizing our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation and success.
America’s Best Workplace for Parents and Families – 2024
Newsweek
We are honored to be named one of America’s Best Workplaces for Parents and Families by Newsweek, recognizing our commitment to supporting parents and caregivers with a flexible environment, resources, and a culture that helps families thrive.
The Unconventional Award – 2024
T-Mobile
This award recognizes our innovative use of T-Mobile solutions to improve communication, reducing negative incidents by 27%. It celebrates our creative application of technology to enhance safety and drive positive change in school transportation.
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.
Go Yellow Go Green Award – 2023
NSTA (National School Transportation Association)
This award recognizes our leadership in implementing eco-friendly practices in school transportation, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and a greener future for students and communities.
Green Bus Fleet Award – 2023
School Transportation News
This award recognizes our commitment to clean energy and the adoption of clean-fuel school buses, highlighting our leadership in reducing environmental impact and improving air quality for students and communities.
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.
In the news
Leadership Perspectives on the Future of AI
School Transportation News, Ruth Ashmore | July 2025
Sean McCormack, CIO – Technology, Safety, and Real-World Innovation in Student Transportation
Building Better Podcast, Episode #259, Brandon Bartneck
