First Student Named to Fast Company's List of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025

Recognition validates First Student's dedication to reshaping the industry of student transportation

CINCINNATI, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student, the largest and most trusted student transportation provider, today announced it has been named to Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, ranking 6th in the transportation category. The recognition highlights First Student's commitment to safety, sustainability and innovation, as it advances electric student transportation with cost-saving EV charging solutions, accelerates fleet electrification and reduces carbon emissions. First Student ensures safe, inclusive and reliable student transportation by setting the highest standards and exceeding expectations.

First Student is proud to have its innovations, like First Charge, recognized on a global scale. This patent-pending above-ground charging infrastructure solution is designed to simplify the electrification process for school districts and medium and heavy-duty fleet operators. Unlike traditional charging solutions, First Charge eliminates the need for expensive, time-consuming underground construction, making infrastructure more accessible for all fleet operators to implement electric buses to transport students.

"Reliable, safe and eco-friendly transportation supports students in reaching their full potential," said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. "We are dedicated to continually improving student transportation and driving innovation to provide the best experience for students, parents, and customers. We are proud to be recognized by Fast Company for our efforts, reinforcing the vital impact of our work. We are committed to serving our communities and setting the highest standard in support for the families and schools that rely on us."

This recognition follows First Student's milestone of five million electric miles and the launch of HALO™. HALO is First Student's cutting-edge technology platform designed to transform the way school districts, parents and drivers manage and experience student transportation. HALO integrates every aspect of First Student's operations, including the First View vehicle tracking app. With First View, districts, schools, and parents gain complete visibility into the status and progress of every vehicle via a district dashboard and a user-friendly parent app. With HALO, vehicles can also be equipped with RFID card scanners, so parents receive notifications when their student boards and exits the vehicle, enhancing security and providing districts with more accurate student ridership data.

Fast Company's annual list honors 50 of the most innovative companies across 58 sectors, celebrating organizations that have turned challenges into solutions, driven progress and reshaped industries in the past year.

About First Student
As North America's leading school transportation solutions provider, First Student provides 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

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SOURCE First Student