\u201cOne of Z\u016bm\u2019s strengths is in recruitment and retention, so they\u2019ll be able to provide the full staffing of 168 drivers, plus the additional relief drivers needed,\u201d district spokesperson AJ Kato said in a statement.<\/p>\n
First Student drivers who currently serve FUSD routes and are in good standing have been guaranteed a position with Z\u016bm, Kato said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means many students will continue riding with the same drivers they already know, which is an important factor for students with special needs who benefit from consistent, familiar relationships,\u201d Kato said.<\/p>\n
First Student Inc., the Ohio-based provider of general and special education student transportation, has issued a WARN notice of permanent layoff to 170 employees in Fresno County effective July 1,<\/a> one year after the FUSD board of trustee voted to end its longstanding contract.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst Student is grateful for the opportunity to have served the students at Fresno Unified School District. It has been an honor to support the district, its students, and the broader community, and we extend our best wishes moving forward,\u201d a company spokesperson said, in a statement to The Fresno Bee.<\/p>\n First Student said it still had contracts in Fresno County and would try to retain as many employees as possible or place them at other locations.<\/p>\n Z\u016bm is a transportation company that serves more than 4,500 schools and districts nationwide<\/a>. The company provides an application and uses AI-technology so parents and teachers can track bus rides in real time.<\/a><\/p>\n Fresno Unified awarded Z\u016bm a five-year transportation contract in 2025<\/a>. The district started using Z\u016bm technology last August to manage all district-operated general education bus routes, and in the 2026-27 school year will add all 168 special education routes.<\/p>\n Z\u016bm said in a July 2025 press release it will provide higher wages and expanded benefits for drivers; a new fleet of buses with advanced equipment, including air conditioning; and continuous training and support for drivers and staff.<\/p>\n \u201cZ\u016bm\u2019s partnership with Fresno Unified School District signals a growing national movement for modern, safe and equitable student transportation,\u201d Ritu Narayan, founder and CEO at Z\u016bm, said in the release. \u201cDrivers are at the heart of our operation, and we take pride in having the best in the industry. We look forward to working with this outstanding school community.\u201d<\/p>\n Union officials representing the affected bus drivers say that the safety and security of their members\u2019 jobs has always been a top priority.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom publicly raising concerns and demanding accountability from First Student to working directly with district leadership to ensure transportation workers received job opportunities during the transition to Z\u016bm, we have fought every step of the way to protect our members,\u201d said Jeremy Higgins, First Student Chapter President and Bus Driver.<\/p>\n \u201cOur members have dedicated years of service to Fresno students and families, and we will continue pushing for solutions that protect both workers and the essential transportation services our community depends on,\u201d Higgins said.<\/p>\n Fresno Bee reporter Leqi Zhong contributed to this report.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"Fresno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/FRS_fusdbusestardy01.jpeg\" "\\"FRS_fusdbusestardy01\\"")
Fresno Unified School District buses arrive at Edison High School to let students off before classes on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com Who is Z\u016bm?<\/p>\n
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