Irving, Texas — Irving Independent School District has selected a new transportation provider to deliver safe and reliable transportation to approximately 6,500 students for the 2018-2019 school year and beyond. First Student will manage and operate all student transportation services for the district as part of a five-year contract.
First Student has partnered with school districts for more than a century to deliver tailored student transportation solutions. The company’s hiring, training and ongoing development programs for drivers and monitors help deliver a ride that is twice as safe as the industry average.
“Student safety is our top priority,” said Irving ISD Superintendent of Schools of Schools Jose L. Parra, Ed.D. “We are confident First Student will deliver the high-quality transportation services we expect, while continuously looking at ways to make the experience even better for our students who ride the bus.”
Current Irving ISD drivers are being offered the opportunity to join First Student. The company is raising starting wages for drivers to $17.95 an hour and offering a $1,500 sign-on bonus. First Student plans to hire more than 180 employees, including drivers, bus monitors, mechanics and staff to support Irving ISD. The district will continue service with its current transportation provider through July, and First Student will assume operations August 1.
“We look forward to working closely with Irving ISD and appreciate the trust administrators have in us,” said Liz Sanchez, First Student senior vice president. “We are committed to using our insights, expertise and resources to provide the best start and finish to the school day for the students and families we serve.”
More than 25,000 students in Texas currently ride First Student buses to and from school. The company has five locations in the state.