First Student Scales AI-Driven Safety Tech for New Academic Year

The company’s operational shift centers on its proprietary HALO platform, an integrated ecosystem that merges fleet maintenance, driver compliance, and real-time communication. By partnering with Samsara, the operator achieved a 49% reduction in rolling stops and a 45% decrease in inattentive driving incidents during recent pilot programs. This focus on data-backed safety earned the company recognition on the TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2026 list.

Beyond technical monitoring, the firm is expanding its First Serves behavioral support program. The initiative trains drivers to manage student conduct with empathy, a shift that staff members like Berkshire Local School District driver Kathy Sands credit with creating calmer, more manageable environments on board.

Electrification remains a core pillar of the provider's expansion. With roughly 490 electric buses currently in operation and over 550 more on order, the company has surpassed 11.2 million electric miles. These efforts are complemented by the First View parent tracking application, which now serves 300,000 users, providing real-time arrival updates and fostering a more transparent connection between families and school districts.