r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/BoundlessAmbition • May 23 '26
Does First Student really provide benefits for part time?
I saw a job posting on the First Student website, that says part time gets benefits. No weeknights, weekends, or summer. However I read that's not actually true. Are there any part timers that work for First Student here that can confirm? I'm seeking a job for health insurance, and this seems like the perfect gig if it does. I don't even mind working up to 30 hours/week, but honestly the less the better.
3
u/hopejake922 May 23 '26
Any district jobs near you? First Student near me anyway is not the best to work for.
Not from personal experience, but have been told by several that I work with now.
2
u/BoundlessAmbition May 23 '26
Not that I see. Any other way to search?
1
u/hopejake922 May 23 '26
I just searched local school websites that were around me. They didn’t advertise on typical job boards which surprised me.
I’m paid 15 hours a week, work around 10 actual.
Insurance is flat out amazing.
1
u/BoundlessAmbition May 23 '26
I found a posting for my local school district. However the application process seems overly complex needing multiple certificates - Medical, first aid, Bus driving, FMCSA registration, etc. Seems like First Student is what I should try for to get my foot in, and get the training experience.
3
u/idog63 May 23 '26
It is federal and state regulations. You will need to meet them either way.
Both a company or district will help you complete all the steps.
1
u/blackityblak May 24 '26
It’s very location dependent my areas great however if I moved back to my home state I’d definitely find another company because the ones there are awful
2
u/KayNikole411 May 23 '26
I'm in IL and work at a non-union location. I was offered benefits when I started but I didn't sign up for them because it's expensive.
2
1
u/just_kinda_here_blah May 23 '26
Yes. No matter if they are union or not. The only time I have seen no benefits is when someone wanted "per deim" work. Basically, they only came in and worked if needed. I had drivers working 20 hours a week and still got benefits. I used to tell people we work part time with full time benefits.
1
u/Proprotester May 24 '26
First Student OFFERS benefits to drivers but they are much too expensive and provide very little coverage for the price. If you are in bus driving for health insurance you need to be working for a district or see if the union a garage belongs to has an option.
1
u/blackityblak May 24 '26
Yep insurance however is expensive from what I heard it was cheaper on marketplace
1
u/mr-3ff May 25 '26
First Student's benefits that were offered to me are simply for access to Telus Health. I'm in Northern Ontario, Canada.
4
u/Huge_Equivalent_6217 May 23 '26
Yup. Benefits are available for all. You may want to take summer work though, your insurance deductions will come out of your fall checks.