First Student

Updated review: This issue occurred at the end of October. The last time (out of sixteen, yes, sixteen fruitless emails, which I was directed to send) I contacted this company’s headquarters was in mid-​December. It is now pushing mid-​February. They literally never got back to me on my issue. As I said: Just, «Oh no. Re-​email us.» «Oh no. If this goes on we’ll prioritize your issue.» (IF???) «Oh no. Contact somebody else. Here’s our email.»
But still, nothing.
Please do not use this company. Transportation fail, communication fail, resolution fail. Where’s the upside? Keep your children safe, get them home, don’t drop hair like a Shih Tzu worrying where the heck they are, and use a different transportation company.

We chartered two school buses for our wedding in Oakland. I was quite anxious about the bus rentals because no one from the wedding party would be involved with them on the day of, so I provided a document with clear maps and details on parking. First Student was very responsive to my emails and phone calls during the planning process, and called me to verify the details the week before. On the day of, the drivers were EARLY to our hotel and were on time to the wedding site. And our guests has so much fun that apparently there was a Disney sing-​along on the bus ride back to the hotel!

i hate first student bus in san francisco ca. they lie too much they tell the bus gone be here in 3 mins just to get you off the phone then 20 mins go by still no bus– i wish some rich person would buy new buses – in start a new bus company so we would be done with first student – once in for all

This bus company services the West Contra Costa Unified School District. The management has no idea what’s going on. We have only had 1 out of 3 drivers ever show up to pick up my son for school on the first day. Unfortunately parents who use the bus do so because they can’t pick their kids up themselves and these kids need the services that the district supplies. There seems to be little communication between the dispatchers and drivers. It doesnt seem as though anyone in this company cares about whether or not your child was picked up. We have had one good driver who has gone beyond expectations to help out and make sure my son got to school. That’s the only good thing I can say about this company.

Never on time, bus drivers are rude, management is horrible, and they always send the wrong sized bus. They have no regard for children and families. All they care about is if they show up, no matter how late they are. If I could give 0 stars I would.
Yes, they probably have some of the best prices. But it is not worth it! Save yourself the headache

We booked a bus for a May event two months prior in February. We got a quote first, then confirmed twice, once in March and once in April by phone. We call two weeks before the event to confirm one last time, and they don’t know what we are talking about, claiming they do not have availability. Unprofessional, incompetent, and unreliable. Avoid at all costs.

This is the worst school bus in this city never go on this bus EVER

I placed an order for a bus for 2 separate events about 2 months before the event. The buses were scheduled for 3 hours (9:00−12:00).
May 7– The bus was sent to another location at 9:00 but after calling the company twice, it finally arrived to our location 30 minutes late. So technically they were on time but since they weren’t at the correct location, I guess that means they were late.
The company apologized and compensated us for our next trip.
May 22–
9:00, no bus. I usually give people a 15 minute leeway before contacting them.
9:15, «Hi, our bus hasn’t arrived». «The bus went to the wrong location. They are on the way».
9:45, «Hi, our bus hasn’t arrived». «The bus went to the wrong location. They are on the way».
9:50, the bus arrives.
Obviously there’s a huge miscommunication on their end because the invoice clearly stated the address and time of the event. I let it slide the first time but being 50 minutes late the second time?! What a disappointment.
On another note, the drivers were apologetic and very friendly.

Whoever trains drivers for this company is clueless. On two occaisions I have seen them behaiving badly. The first was merging onto Doyle Drive just before the Golden Gate bridge. A yellow school bus labeled First Student was in the lane next to me, going well over the speed limit, when it abruptly changed lanes right in front of me. If I hadn’t breaked suddenly, it would have hit my car. The second case was on Lincoln Blvd. in San Francisco. A First Student bus blocked all three lanes by waiting to make a left turn from the right lane. The bus number is 203 455, CA plate 38243C1. This happened May 14, 2014 at 6:50pm. If I had kids in schools that rent bus service from these guys, I’d be very concerned…

This is the WORST, WORST, WORST, transporation company. And I do mean the WORST. My child is in the West Contra Costa County School District and is late to school ALL THE time. When her regular driver is out she has to deal with sub drivers who don’t know the route and are, often times, mean to the kids. You know things are bad when the school itself is asking if parents are complaining about the company, because they are doing it too and not getting anywhere. There was one time my kid was 30 minutes late because the sub driver went off route to pick up HER OWN kid from home and take her to school before she dropped off the kids on the regular route AND THEN tried to lie and say traffic was why she was late. Our kids aren’t dumb and called it out what had actually happened. The manager if the office I deal with often times is at a loss what to say to parents. It is nothing but excuse after excuse. When your child is late to school more than HALF THE DAYS they go, there is a problem there. First Student is the worst company in the history of EVER and I taking my issues with them as high as I can. I would give this company ZERO stars if I could.

We chartered a bus for our wedding. The bus was on time, bus driver was cool and everything went off perfectly.
This was by far the most reasonably priced bus company as well.

This is apparently the SF branch of a national network of school bus operators. A friend recommended them, having used their Sonoma branch.
After spending time filling out their online form, I received an automated reply promising a prompt response. It also included a phone number for the SF office — something I couldn’t seem to find online. First clue.
I have now called the San Francisco office THREE times. Each time, I’ve been told that «Marsha» is gone for the day, having personal issues, etc., and no one else can help me, set up the bus, give me a quote. Nothing.
While I sympathize with Marsha’s personal troubles, I find it an odd way to run a business when she is «gone for the day» no matter what time I call, and the entire operation apparently depends on her.
fail. fail. fail.
I have zero confidence that my event should ever rely First Student. I will take my business elsewhere.