CINCINNATI — Nineteen First Student locations recently earned the Blue Seal of Excellence, which is given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).  

To receive ASE's Blue Seal of Excellence, 75% of the service technicians at a location must be certified by ASE. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered. 
 
The locations that earned the certification include:

•    Belvidere, Illinois
•    Benton Harbor, Michigan
•    Edwardsville, Illinois
•    Englishtown, New Jersey
•    Falmouth, Massachusetts
•    Flint, Michigan  
•    Lafayette, New Jersey
•    Lower Moreland, Pennsylvania
•    Miami Valley, Ohio
•    Pine Bush, New York
•    Prairie View, Illinois
•    Rockaway Beach, Oregon
•    Schaumburg, Illinois 
•    Tolono, Illinois 
•    Urbana, Illinois
•    Valley View, Ohio
•    Walden, New York
•    Wausau, Wisconsin
•    Winona, Minnesota

These locations are among the more than 100 to have achieved Blue Seal status throughout FirstGroup America, the parent company of First Student, according to the company. FirstGroup America also includes First Transit, First Vehicle Services, and Greyhound.

“Our maintenance teams recognize the impact of the work they do every day,” said Todd Hawkins, FirstGroup America senior vice president of maintenance. “The Blue Seal certification demonstrates our teams’ knowledge and training that’s required to diagnose problems precisely and accurately. Our goal is to maintain the vehicles properly and to the highest safety standards.”  

ASE, an independent nonprofit organization, was created in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.