First Student adds 70 school buses to Rhode Island fleet
The new Thomas Built buses will serve thousands of students in the Providence Public School District. Bus features include an enlarged front windshield, GPS, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system and crossing gates.

First Student staff and members of the Providence Public School District are pictured here in front of one of 70 new school buses being added to the fleet.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — First Student is adding more than 70 new buses to its fleet to serve thousands of students in the Providence Public School District.
The 72-passenger Thomas Built school buses feature an enlarged front windshield, designed to lessen obstructions and increase a driver’s panoramic view of the road. The buses also feature a low sloping hood, a low instrument panel and A-pillar windows.
“These new buses represent the commitment to excellence between First Student and the Providence Public School District,” said Jim Castelli, senior vice president for First Student.
First Student will also install additional safety features on the buses, including GPS tracking systems, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system and crossing gates.
First Student has partnered with the Providence Public School District for more than 40 years to provide transportation to nearly 10,000 students.
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