First Student Reports Safety Gains and Tech Milestones for 2025-26 School Year — First Student, Inc.

Event summary

First Student achieved a 49% reduction in rolling stops and 45% decrease in inattentive driving through AI-powered safety deployments with Samsara.
The company operated approximately 490 electric school buses during the 2025-26 school year, with more than 550 additional vehicles on order.
First Student's First View® parent tracking app now connects over 300,000 parents through real-time bus tracking and updates.
David Perez, Vice President of Safety at First Student, was named Technology Leader of the Year in Samsara's 2026 Connected Operations Awards.

The big picture

First Student's focus on technology-driven safety improvements and electric vehicle adoption aligns with broader industry trends toward smarter, more sustainable transportation solutions. The company's scale—operating over 48,000 vehicles across North America—positions it as a key player in shaping the future of student transportation. Its strategic investments in AI-powered safety and fleet electrification reflect a commitment to long-term operational excellence and environmental responsibility.

What we're watching

Technology Integration: How First Student's HALO platform will continue to evolve and integrate with other systems to enhance safety and operational visibility.
Electric Fleet Expansion: The pace at which First Student can scale its electric school bus fleet and the impact on operational costs and environmental goals.
Regulatory Compliance: Whether First Student can maintain its safety and operational performance standards amid potential regulatory changes in student transportation.