Likely no more full time work - School Bus Driver First Student Employee Review

4.0
Jul 8, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You can find a good route and stick with it and make amazing connections with the students and the parents. I was *beloved* on my route. You are not micromanaged while driving, you are in charge of how you manage your students. Some schools are amazing at backing up the drivers and supporting us in managing difficult behavior. Pay and benefits are better than any other district in the metro area.

Cons

The medical insurance is not affordable until your 4th year driving there. The district has given all of the full time routes to another contractor. Management constantly turns over, including yard manager, safety staff, and dispatch staff. Terrible communication, I have been yelled at for breaking rules that I was never informed of because they depended on word of mouth from the dispatchers instead of giving us memos or contacting us via phone or text or the company app or anything. Some schools don't support or back the drivers, and then there is very little you can do to enforce proper, safe behavior. And you don't know what the school will be like until you start driving there.

Explore other reviews about First Student

5.0
Dec 13, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great part-time job for retired people.

Cons

Sometimes noisy and misbehaving children.

4.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Largest employer in the industry. Positive structural changes Investment in infrastructure

Cons

Frequently behind the wheel of a bus which limits value at position Very long hours due to need to complete work while spending significant portion of the day filling in on open routes

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