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First Student Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
600 Vine Street
Suite 1500 Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-241-2200 phone
513-381-0149 fax
The many details involved in managing a student transportation service can take you or your staff away from your number one goal: delivering quality educational programs.
Think of First Student as your corporate partner. When you contract with our team, you gain an innovative partner with a national reputation and global resources.
Our unsurpassed experience can help you maximize the efficiency of your student transportation system while retaining the highest levels of safety and dependability.
We’re a leader in helping school districts of all sizes convert to contracted services. From our full range of services, we can design a custom-tailored solution that meets your specific needs and concerns.
Vehicles First Student will specify all vehicles to meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, State Specification Standards, and School District requirements. In addition, we have developed partnerships with selected bus body and chassis manufacturers to assure maximum cost-effectiveness.
Procurement We offer national fleet pricing on vehicles and parts and can usually obtain discounts below fleet price due to our volume and long-term partnerships. We can also quickly check parts availability and prices with on-line vendors that we work with nationally to save time and money.
Facilities Management First Student's local team will operate from a transportation facility that is located near your school district. This includes securing the facility, if necessary, along with all real estate payments and facility management.
Fuel & Fuel Storage We can be responsible for direct payment to fuel suppliers, including taxes. We will also supply fuel storage facilities and pay for the cost of maintaining them. First Student offers practiced strategies to economize fuel usage and purchase fuel at the best possible prices if needed.
Preventive Maintenance Our own trained and certified technicians perform preventive maintenance that includes drivers' daily pre-trip inspections and regularly scheduled preventive maintenance inspections at various intervals. We use extensive maintenance tools, systems and procedures covering every aspect of maintenance.
Washing Your buses will be kept as clean as possible and washed on a regular schedule according to any contract specifications.
Repair Order System First Student utilizes an advanced fleet maintenance IT system to capture repair orders. Information is directly entered as a paperless repair order or keyed in from physical copies to capture and track individual vehicle maintenance performance histories. Reporting We prepare and furnish to the School District written reports, including pupil transport data, trip reports, fuel consumption, ride time and mileage reports, accident reports, personnel reports, pupil misconduct reports and more.
Route Schedule Planning First Student will work with you to obtain all necessary data, including projections for enrollment, school additions, boundary changes and transportation policies.
Recruiting A comprehensive recruiting process is critical to maintaining a steady flow of qualified applicants to fill open positions at all times. We offer a national recruiting staff and a wide array of other recruiting resources.
Waste Management There are at least 14 waste streams associated with vehicle maintenance. These hazards include fuel, used oil, batteries, coolant, tires, parts, wash water, paint and solvents. First Student cares about the environment and will minimize the amount of waste generated at your facility and control where it is disposed of according to the highest standards. We accomplish this by recycling whenever possible and by carefully managing waste steams from inception through disposal.
Drivers First Student will provide an entire complement of fully screened, trained and certified professional school bus drivers. With an organizational culture that is geared to customer service and safety, we take great pride in ensuring that professional, well-trained and qualified drivers are available to cover all routes safely and according to agreed upon schedules.
All drivers receive extensive pre-employment training and ongoing in-service training. They must also participate in additional in-service training annually before school start-up, and they are required to participate in monthly safety meetings.
Driver-related safety recognition and incentive programs are also in place, as are ongoing programs to maintain and continually improve workplace safety.
Driver Trainers Well-trained drivers require the assistance of people who ensure their skills are well maintained. Drivers Trainers assist the Safety Coordinator in carrying out his/her duties in providing behind-the-wheel training.
Dispatchers Dispatchers are responsible for all duties concerning bus routes, bus disposition and driver assignments.
Location Safety Coordinators Location Safety Coordinators are responsible for the overall Location Safety Department and its programs, including safety issues, driver training, screening and follow-up training.
Service Team Leader The Service Team Leader or Service Manager is responsible for maintaining a high degree of reliability and performance of the entire local bus fleet.
Full-Time Maintenance Technicians The Maintenance Technicians conduct preventive maintenance, diagnostics and repairs on the local bus fleet.
Yard Attendants The Yard Attendant or "Fueler," helps the maintenance staff and is charged with performing inspections twice per week and insuring proper bus fueling at all times.
Route Monitors Route Monitors systematically observe, report and assist with student discipline. They also assist the safety department in developing and implementing effective driver passenger management skills. First Student also provides bus attendants for special needs routes.
Employment Transition As long as they meet our employment standards, Fist Student will offer current drivers the opportunity to apply for open positions. Our strict standards include acceptable employment and personal reference checks, motor vehicle record and criminal background checks and the successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam including a drug and alcohol screening.
Lower costs, quality service and increased control are achievable with a First Student partnership!
