First Transit Drivers Receive Training on How to Identify Signs of Human Trafficking

CINCINNATI – First Transit is partnering with Busing on the Lookout (BOTL) to train more than 12,000 transit drivers across North America on human trafficking awareness. As one of the largest private-sector providers of mobility solutions in North America, this is the first partnership of its kind.

First Transit will incorporate materials from BOTL to develop a training program for all transit drivers across North America. The training outlines how to identify a possible victim, look for signs and what to do if you see someone who might be a victim of human trafficking.

"As a partner in the communities in which we operate, we're committed to supporting BOTL's mission," said Brad Thomas, president of First Transit. "We are proud to do anything we can to help."

Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, and the number of victims in the United States is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

"We have a lot of eyes on the roads of North America every day," said Paul Meredith, senior director of safety and training at First Transit. "This is an opportunity to drive change by training our drivers to identify the signs of human trafficking, and give them the tools to say something if they see something that doesn't look right."

More than 300 First Transit locations will receive training and materials to recognize the signs and steps to take to report human trafficking.

"The goal of BOTL is to ensure that all members of the bus industry understand the signs of this crime and know how to report it effectively," said Annie Sovcik, director of BOTL. "This important step taken by First Transit will add thousands of more eyes and ears to the roads in our communities who can alert law enforcement when they observe certain red flag indicators. Partnerships like these are essential to shutting down traffickers and offering victims a pathway to freedom."

Please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 if you have information related to possible human trafficking.


About First Transit:
First Transit, Inc. has 60 years of experience and is one of the largest private-sector providers of mobility solutions in North America moving more than 350 million passengers annually. First Transit, Inc. provides operation, management and consulting for more than 300 locations in 39 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama and India for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, municipalities, hospitals, universities and private companies. First Transit employs more than 19,500 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit FirstTransit.com.

About Busing on the Lookout:
Busing on the Lookout (BOTL) is a program of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). TAT is a 501(c)3 that exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking, busing and transportation industries to combat human trafficking. For additional information, please visit BusingOntheLookout.org.