First Student recently partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools to bring 16 new electric school buses to the area.

Deployment of the Micro Bird Type A buses was funded through the first round of the U.S. EPA Clean School Bus program and marks an important milestone in the commitment to provide safe, reliable, and innovative transportation solutions to students.

Bringing Electric Buses to Allegheny County

Pittsburgh Public School District is the largest in Allegheny County and the second largest in Pennsylvania, with nearly 20,000 students served daily.

"Partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools to deploy these electric school buses is a big step forward in reducing emissions and prioritizing student health and safety," said John Kenning, CEO and president of First Student. "With nearly 450 electric school buses in our fleet and nearly 6 million electric miles driven, we are not just transporting students to school; we're setting the highest standard by helping build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for the Pittsburgh community. Every child deserves a safe, welcoming and trusted environment on their way to and from school, and that starts with us."

Benefits of the New Buses

Electric school buses can improve student health and serve as a financial investment for school districts. Due to fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance and fewer repairs, allowing districts to save money in the long term.

Pittsburgh Public Schools can redirect the savings toward educational programs, classroom resources, and student enrichment.

"Every day, thousands of students in the City of Pittsburgh rely on school buses to get to and from school," said Dr. Wayne N. Walters, superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. "The addition of electric buses, allow us to take an important step toward a cleaner, quieter and safer ride, protecting student health and enhancing their daily experience."

The celebration of the deployment featured a ride-along in an electric school bus provided by First Student.

Attendees to the event included the deputy mayor, school board, local and state representatives, and members of local activism groups.