First Student Recognizes Dedicated Team of Drivers During Love the Bus Month

FEBRUARY 1, 2017 - CINCINNATI - School buses are the safest form of student transportation, and First Student is proud to join the American School Bus Council (ASBC) in recognizing school bus drivers for their commitment to safety during Love the Bus month.

More than 26 million students start and finish their school days on the yellow school bus. 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 play an essential role in the school day," said First Student President Dennis R. Maple. "Love the Bus month provides a wonderful opportunity to thank our drivers for the care, focus and dedication they bring to their ever-important job. Our drivers' commitment to the safety of students is one of the reasons so many parents and school districts place their trust in us."

School bus drivers are the most highly-trained, tested and scrutinized drivers on the road. First Student drivers typically complete more than 50 hours of training before driving passengers, which is more than the Federal Aviation Administration requires of student pilots. The company's hiring, training and ongoing development programs help deliver a ride that is twice as safe as the industry average.

Advances in technology and safety features have also made school buses safer than ever. First Student led the industry by installing GPS systems and crossing gates on all buses. The company is committed to providing the safest, most reliable and most technologically-advanced service in the school bus industry.

The ASBC created Love the Bus month in 2007 to provide recognition for school bus drivers as well as raise awareness and appreciation for the experience of riding the school bus.

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 1,200 school district contracts. For more information, please visit firststudentinc.com.