First Student Surpasses 5 Million Electric School Bus Miles, Solidifying Industry Leadership

Milestone showcases rapid acceleration of electrification as First Charge expands nationwide

CINCINNATI, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the largest and most chosen student transportation provider and the leader in electrified student transportation, has surpassed 5 million miles driven in electric school buses. This achievement, which comes just months after reaching the 4-million-mile mark, underscores the company's industry-leading position in sustainable student transportation.

At 5 million miles, First Student's electric school buses have safely traveled the equivalent of more than 10,000 cross-country trips across the U.S., more than any other transportation provider. The benefits of electric school buses go beyond sustainability, offering quieter, safer and healthier transportation for students and communities.

First Student's electric mileage is growing rapidly, and the company expects to reach 6 million miles in the next few months. The remarkable progress is largely credited to First Charge, First Student's innovative above-ground EV charging solution. First Charge continues to revolutionize school bus electrification by eliminating the need for extensive trenching, significantly reducing installation costs, and enabling rapid deployment even in cold-weather climates.

"Surpassing 5 million electric miles is another incredible milestone for our team and the communities we serve," said First Student CEO & President John Kenning. "At First Student, we hold ourselves to the highest standards, embracing innovation and teamwork to drive meaningful progress. Electrification is key to our mission of providing the safest, cleanest and most efficient transportation for students. With First Charge, we are making school bus electrification more accessible, accelerating the transition to a sustainable future and ensuring children experience quieter, healthier rides to school."

"Every electric mile driven means reduced emissions, cleaner air and a safer ride for students," said Kevin Matthews, head of electrification at First Student. "We are proud to lead the industry in electric school bus adoption and will continue to develop cutting-edge solutions that enable districts to transition quickly and cost-effectively."

First Student has been recognized for its commitment to sustainable transportation, winning the BIG Award For Green Product Of The Year and the 2025 Edison Award for scalable clean transportation energy. These prestigious awards highlight the standard First Student has set for sustainability, safety and excellence in the push for a greener future for students and communities globally. This latest milestone builds on First Student's broader commitment to advancing clean transportation solutions.

About First Student
As North America's leading school transportation solutions provider, First Student strives to provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school to 5.5 million students daily. With a team of highly trained drivers, the company will complete 1 billion student trips during the 2024-25 school year. First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, scheduling, maintenance, and charter services. Its fleet includes about 45,000 buses.

CONTACT
Jen Biddinger
First Student
513.362.4600

SOURCE First Student