First Student Rolls Out Driver Performance Measurement Program

First Student has introduced DriverScore, a tablet-based mobile application that measures its drivers’ performance, for use at all of its locations.

Designed to put actionable information into the hands of each location's leaders, the application assesses drivers in four key areas: hard braking, rapid acceleration, speeding, and idling, according to a news release from the school bus company. A First Student driver receives a rating of up to five stars in each key area.

Location managers can efficiently access the data to monitor and review trends, which can provide an opportunity for coaching, recognition, and positive reinforcement.

DriverScore can also generate healthy competition among drivers, improving employee satisfaction and overall morale, according to the school bus company.

“The DriverScore program elevates our safety culture by inspiring our drivers to do their very best, while also further developing the critical skills necessary to provide safe transportation to the school districts, students, and communities we serve,” said Dean Suhre, First Student’s chief operating officer.

An internal data science team at First Student created the proprietary DriverScore model to help motivate drivers to actively work toward improving or maintaining a high-star measurement, according to the school bus company.

“After successfully piloting DriverScore at select locations last year, First Student is now in the process of implementing the program at all of our nearly 450 locations,” Jen Biddinger, First Student's corporate communications manager, told School Bus Fleet. 

Where the program has been implemented, driver performance has improved in all four of the key areas scored, the school bus company stated in the news release.

DriverScore is First Student’s latest technological innovation. In recent years, the school bus company has introduced an exclusive technology suite, including the FirstView District Dashboard and Parent App.