Q&A


An Era of Firsts


School bus contractor market-share leader First Student recognized for innovations, especially new training program for transporting students with disabilities


With Ryan Gray | ryan@stnonline.com


F


irst Student is busy. That could be the understatement of the decade. Not only is North America’s largest school bus contractor embark-


ing on electrifying 30,000 school buses by 2035—60 percent of its 50,000-bus fleet, mind you—but it also recently launched a new alternative transpor- tation unit and an innovative training program developed for staff who serve students with disabilities. These are all reasons the National School Transpor- tation Association cited for naming First Student its contractor company of the year in July, recognition bestowed in partnership with


28 School Transportation News • SEPTEMBER 2023


School Transportation News. Additionally, First Student’s leader, Presi- dent and CEO John Kenning, has been on the job now for only a year and a half. STN asked Kenning to update readers on the FirstServes training program as well as school bus electrification and other com- pany initiatives.


STN: The award is partially in recognition John Kenning


of your FirstServes student services program. Can you provide a quick explanation of the program and how it came about?


Kenning: First Student is passionate about providing


PHOTO COURTESTY OF FIRST STUDENT


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