Update on Student Transportation Services

Dear Seattle Public Schools Staff and Families,

We want to share an update and some reassurance about student transportation.

You may see or hear news about national contract negotiations between First Student, one of the companies that provides bus service for Seattle Public Schools (SPS), and the Teamsters union. We understand headlines like this can raise questions, and we want to be clear about what this means for our community.

Currently, there are no changes to transportation services for SPS students. First Student has local collective bargaining agreements in place, and those agreements continue to govern the relationship between one of our service providers and its employees. Bus routes and schedules are running as usual.

First Student has also shared reassurance with the district that, while national negotiations are ongoing, their teams remain focused on providing safe, reliable transportation for students. As with any national negotiation, there may be increased public visibility around the process in the coming weeks, but First Student’s stated priority is to continue serving communities without disruption while working toward an agreement.

While we are not expecting service disruptions, SPS is closely monitoring the situation and staying in regular communication with our transportation partners. We are also taking responsible steps to plan for contingencies, should they become necessary.

If there are any changes that could affect transportation services, we will communicate directly with staff and families as quickly as possible. Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we continue to prioritize student safety and access to school.

Sincerely,

Fred Podesta
Chief Operations Officer
Seattle Public Schools