FirstGroup : First Student awarded Ventura County Office of Education contract

09 Aug 2018

Camarillo, Calif. - First Student will be providing school transportation to a new community in Southern California this fall. The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) has awarded the company a new five-year contract to transport its students.

First Student will replace VCOE's entire fleet with nearly 100 new school buses. All buses will be equipped with GPS tracking systems, crossing gates to allow children to cross in front of the bus at a safe distance, and the Child Check-Mate® electronic reminder system designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus.

'We look forward to beginning our first school year with the Ventura County Office of Education,' said First Student Area General Manager Lisa Serra. 'First Student is dedicated to forming true partnerships with those we serve. We are committed to providing VCOE's students and families with the safest and most reliable transportation for years to come.'

First Student was selected, in part, due to its practices supporting special education students and families. All special needs drivers participate in training each year that covers topics such as inclusion, characteristics of a special needs student, sensitivity, student behaviour management, supporting parents' unique needs and emergency precautions.

First Student's hiring, training and ongoing development programs help deliver a ride that is twice as safe as the industry average.

VCOE will rely on First Student to operate, maintain and manage all its student transportation services. The company has partnered with local school districts for more than a century to deliver tailored student transportation solutions.

First Student is the most chosen student transportation provider in North America. To date, the company is adding more than 80,000 daily student journeys in the 2018-19 school year.