First Transit

First Transit was an American transportation company. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, it operated over 300 locations, carrying more than 350 million passengers annually throughout the United States in 41 states, Puerto Rico, Panama, India and four Canadian provinces. In 2023 it was purchased by Transdev with the brand retired.

First Transit
ParentTransdev
Founded1955
Defunct2023
HeadquartersCincinnati, Ohio
Service areaUnited States, Canada, Puerto Rico, India, Panama
Service typeFixed Route, Paratransit, Shuttle, Transit Management, MaaS, Microtransit, Autonomous Vehicle, Rail System, Bus Rapid Transit, Call Centers, Maintenance Services
Websitewww.firsttransit.com

History
First Transit operated Fixed Route and Paratransit vehicles
A-train Stadler GTW at Downtown Denton Transit Center in December 2015

American Transportation Enterprises was founded in 1955. It was acquired by Ryder in 1986.[1] First Transit was formed in 1999 when FirstGroup acquired Ryder.[2] In 2007, First Transit acquired Cognisa, a company specializing in shuttle services. Also in 2007, FirstGroup acquired Laidlaw, and merged Laidlaw's transit operations with First Transit.[3]

In April 2016, First Transit commenced operating a five-year contract for Hinjewadi Techzone IT Park in India.[4][5] In October 2016, First Transit commenced its first rail contract operating the A-train for the Denton County Transportation Authority for a period of nine years.[6]

In December 2016, First Transit began operating the first SAV passenger shuttle route in North America, using the EasyMile EZ10 to loop through Bishop Ranch Office Park in San Ramon, California.[7] Since then, First Transit has gone on to operate many SAV initiatives including a Minnesota SAV Roadshow[8] with stops at Minnesota State Capitol and 3M Global Headquarters and Milo in Arlington, Texas.[9] Milo was the first SAV operation open to the public and shuttled passengers to Globe Life Park and AT&T Stadium.

In 2017, First Transit signed an agreement as the exclusive transit operator partner at GoMentum Station. GoMentum Station is the largest of 10 federally funded secure testing facilities for autonomous and connected vehicle technology in the U.S.[10]

In April 2021, FirstGroup agreed terms were to sell the business to EQT Partners. The sale completed later in 2021.[11][12][13]

In October 2022, Transdev agreed terms to purchase First Transit.[14][15] The transaction was completed on March 7, 2023, with all operations rebranded as Transdev and the First Transit brand retired.[16]

Operations

First Transit had more than 19,000 employees and operated and maintains more than 49,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment.

References
  1. "Ryder Buys Management Firm". Wall Street Journal. New York. October 3, 1986. p. 1. ISSN 0099-9660.
  2. "Ryder Sells Bus Businesses to UK's FirstGroup". Metro. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  3. History First Transit
  4. First Transit in discussions to enter Indian bus market FirstGroup January 20, 2016
  5. Tri Delta Transit Continues Partnership with First Transit FirstGroup June 22, 2016
  6. First Transit signs its first rail contract in North America with DCTA Railway Age July 20, 2016
  7. "First Transit Announces First Autonomous Passenger Shuttle Pilot". First Transit. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  8. "First Transit Supports MnDOT's AV Roadshow". First Transit. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  9. "First Transit Brings Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Shuttles to Dallas". First Transit. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  10. "First Transit Signs Exclusive Partnership with GoMentum Station". First Transit. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  11. FirstGroup to focus operations on the UK as First Student and First Transit sold Coach & Bus Week April 23, 2021
  12. FirstGroup Plans to Sell First Student, First Transit for $4.6 Billion Metro April 23, 2021
  13. "Our history". FirstGroup. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  14. Transdev to acquire First Transit in the U.S. and Canada to deliver safe, sustainable, and more innovative mobility solutions to communities Transdev October 26, 2010
  15. Transdev to acquire First Transit Coach & Bus Week November 1, 2022
  16. Transdev Completes Acquisition of First Transit to Become Leading Private Operator of Transportation in the U.S. Transdev March 7, 2023

Media related to First Transit at Wikimedia Commons

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