The Evolution of Student Transportation: A History of First Student Bus Drivers
The history of student bus drivers is intertwined with the development of organized student transportation systems. This article explores the evolution of this field, with a particular focus on First Student, a major North American provider of school bus services, and the regulatory landscape that governs student transportation.
The Dawn of Standardized Regulations
The need for standardized regulations in student transportation became apparent in the mid-20th century. In Arizona, the first significant step towards formalizing these standards occurred in 1960 with the inclusion of "Rules and Regulations for Arizona School Bus Operation: Standards and Training Procedures for Drivers" in the Arizona Administrative Code. This marked the beginning of the Pupil Transportation Program as part of the Arizona Highway Department's Traffic Safety Division. Initially, a small team of three staff members maintained records for approximately 500 school bus drivers, while two employees were responsible for statewide driver training.
The program evolved over the years, reflecting the growing importance of student safety and the increasing complexity of transportation logistics. In 1979, the program was transferred to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. It remained there until 1993, when it transitioned to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and was renamed the Student Transportation Unit. By this time, the number of certified school bus drivers had grown to approximately 5,000, supported by 250 certified instructors.
The Digital Revolution in Driver Management
The late 20th century also saw the introduction of technology to improve the efficiency and management of student transportation. In 1996, a school bus driver database was completed in Arizona. This database provided immediate access to driver, instructor, accident, and other records, eliminating the need for paper files and time-consuming research. Although data entry was still required to keep the database current, the system significantly streamlined operations. By January 1999, the number of certified drivers had increased to 8,100, and the number of instructors to 500, representing a 62% increase in drivers and a 100% increase in instructors in just six years.
First Student: A North American Leader
First Student has emerged as a leading provider of school transportation solutions in North America. The company's history is marked by industry innovation and streamlined operations, with a commitment to caring for children and bringing life to classrooms. First Student offers a wide reach and deep understanding of different regulations and contracts, providing tailored solutions to school districts.
Read also: First Education Federal Credit Union
First Student Canada operates similarly to its US counterpart, providing school bus services and public transit systems. The Farwest Group of companies also provides transportation services in various communities in British Columbia, with several companies branded as "Cardinal" operating school buses across Canada. In 2005, FirstBus Canada acquired 471136 B.C. Limited and Cardinal Transportation B.C., further expanding its footprint.
Innovation and Recognition
First Student has been recognized for its innovative use of technology and its commitment to safety and sustainability. The company has received several awards, including:
- Being ranked 6th in the transportation category for Fast Company’s annual list of World’s Most Innovative Companies.
- Recognition for its innovative use of T-Mobile solutions to improve communication, reducing negative incidents by 27%.
- Awards for its First Charge solution, a modular, above-ground charging infrastructure designed to overcome operational challenges for electric school buses and medium- to heavy-duty vehicles. First Student is the first student transportation company to receive this prestigious award, joining industry leaders like Anheuser-Busch and Frito-Lay.
In 2010, First Student installed Zonar on all 60,000 of its school buses, further enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Heroic Actions and Driver Dedication
First Student bus drivers often go above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating their commitment to student safety and well-being. There are numerous examples of drivers taking heroic actions to protect the students in their care:
- Cindy Rivera: While driving her bus early in the morning in New Haven, Cindy noticed a car pulled over with a woman slumped over in her seat. Unable to safely pull over due to the size of the street and its congestion, she flagged down two men and asked them to check on the woman. When they found the woman unresponsive, Cindy called 911 and waited for the ambulance to arrive.
- Andre Burlachenko: On his afternoon route, Andre was notified by a student that a fellow rider was not feeling well and appeared to be asleep or "playing dead." He immediately contacted dispatch to have emergency services dispatched to his location and began CPR compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the child. He continued CPR for approximately 10 minutes until the student began breathing on her own.
- Joseph Barrant: A student on Joseph’s bus experienced a medical emergency during the afternoon bus ride home. Hearing commotion in the rear of the bus, Joseph stopped the bus and notified dispatch that he had a medical emergency. He went to the aid of the student and lifted his head up, allowing him to start breathing.
These are just a few examples of the many First Student bus drivers who demonstrate exceptional dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of their students.
Read also: Amazon Internship Requirements
The Human Element: When Policy and Compassion Collide
While companies like First Student strive to create comprehensive policies and procedures, real-world situations can sometimes present difficult choices. In February 2014, First Student Canada faced criticism after firing Kendra Lindon, a school bus driver who used her own vehicle to pick up children from her route after her bus failed to start.
Due to extremely low temperatures (-26 degrees Celsius) and the failure of her dispatch to send replacement buses the previous day, Lindon decided that it would be wrong to leave the children out in the cold, fearing they might suffer frostbite, since many were not properly dressed for such cold weather.
Upon learning of Lindon's actions, the company immediately terminated her employment, citing that it was "against company policy to pick up children in a personal vehicle." Lindon defended her decision, stating that she was acting as a concerned parent and neighbor, not just a bus driver.
This case highlights the tension between strict adherence to company policy and the need for compassionate decision-making in emergency situations.
Corporate Developments
FirstGroup, the parent company of First Student, announced in December 2019 that it would consider selling its North American school bus and transit divisions. At the time of the announcement, the North American division was valued at $3.5 billion. In April 2021, FirstGroup agreed to sell the business to EQT AB, with the acquisition closing in July 2021.
Read also: Investing in the Future
tags: #first #student #bus #driver #history
