First Transit
{{Short description|American transportation company}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name = First Transit
|logo = First Transit logo.svg
|image =
|image_caption =
|parent = Transdev
|founded = 1955
|defunct = 2023
|headquarters = Cincinnati, Ohio
|service_area = United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, India, Panama
|service_type = Fixed Route, Paratransit, Shuttle, Transit Management, MaaS, Microtransit, Autonomous Vehicle, Rail System, Bus Rapid Transit, Call Centers, Maintenance Services
|fleet =
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20221212002813/https://www.firsttransit.com/ www.firsttransit.com]}}
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.
History
File:Houston Metro Paratransit and Fixed Route.jpg
File:Downtown Denton Transit Center September 2015 01.jpg Stadler GTW at Downtown Denton Transit Center in December 2015]]
American Transportation Enterprises was founded in 1955. It was acquired by Ryder in 1986.{{Cite news| issn = 0099-9660| pages = 1| title = Ryder Buys Management Firm| work = Wall Street Journal| location = New York| date = 1986-10-03}} First Transit was formed in 1999 when FirstGroup acquired Ryder.{{Cite web| title = Ryder Sells Bus Businesses to UK's FirstGroup| access-date = May 10, 2015| url = http://www.metro-magazine.com/management-operations/news/280025/ryder-sells-bus-businesses-to-uks-firstgroup|website=Metro}} 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080313084224/http://www.firsttransit.com/overview_history.php History] First Transit
In April 2016, First Transit commenced operating a five-year contract for Hinjewadi Techzone IT Park in India.[http://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2016/20-01-16.aspx First Transit in discussions to enter Indian bus market] FirstGroup January 20, 2016[http://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2016/22-06-16.aspx Tri Delta Transit Continues Partnership with First Transit] FirstGroup June 22, 2016 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20191104102013/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/first-transit-signs-its-first-rail-contract-in-north-america-with-dcta/ First Transit signs its first rail contract in North America with DCTA] Railway Age July 20, 2016
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firsttransit.com/about-us/news/news-details/2016/12/06/first-transit-announces-first-autonomous-passenger-shuttle-pilot-in-north-america-with-easymile|title=First Transit Announces First Autonomous Passenger Shuttle Pilot|website=First Transit|access-date=2019-05-20}} Since then, First Transit has gone on to operate many SAV initiatives including a Minnesota SAV Roadshow{{Cite web|url=https://www.firsttransit.com/about-us/news/news-details/2018/02/28/first-transit-supports-minnesota-department-of-transportation-s-shared-autonomous-vehicle-roadshow-to-3m-global-headquarters|title=First Transit Supports MnDOT's AV Roadshow|website=First Transit|access-date=2019-05-20}} with stops at Minnesota State Capitol and 3M Global Headquarters and Milo in Arlington, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firsttransit.com/about-us/news/news-details/2017/08/11/first-transit-brings-autonomous-vehicle-passenger-shuttles-to-dallas-sports-fans|title=First Transit Brings Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Shuttles to Dallas|website=First Transit|access-date=2019-05-20}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firsttransit.com/about-us/news/news-details/2017/06/14/first-transit-signs-exclusive-partnership-with-gomentum-station-for-autonomous-vehicle-innovation-and-research|title=First Transit Signs Exclusive Partnership with GoMentum Station|website=First Transit|access-date=2019-05-20}}
In April 2021, FirstGroup agreed terms were to sell the business to EQT AB. The sale completed later in 2021.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210423100404/https://cbwmagazine.com/firstgroup-to-focus-operations-on-the-uk-as-first-student-and-first-transit-sold/ FirstGroup to focus operations on the UK as First Student and First Transit sold] Coach & Bus Week April 23, 2021[https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185733/https://www.metro-magazine.com/10141925/firstgroup-enters-agreement-to-sell-first-student-first-transit FirstGroup Plans to Sell First Student, First Transit for $4.6 Billion] Metro April 23, 2021{{Cite web|title=Our history|url=https://www.firstgroupplc.com/about-firstgroup/our-history.aspx|access-date=2021-11-11|website=FirstGroup|language=en}}
In October 2022, Transdev agreed terms to purchase First Transit.[https://web.archive.org/web/20221205054057/https://www.transdev.com/en/press-release/transdev-to-acquire-first-transit-in-the-us-and-canada/ 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[https://web.archive.org/web/20221102210030/https://cbwmagazine.com/transdev-to-acquire-first-transit/ Transdev to acquire First Transit] Coach & Bus Week November 1, 2022 The transaction was completed on March 7, 2023, with all operations rebranded as Transdev and the First Transit brand retired.[https://web.archive.org/web/20230311031216/https://transdevna.com/news/2023/03/07/transdev-completes-acquisition-of-first-transit-to-become-leading-private-operator-of-transportation-in-the-u-s/ Transdev Completes Acquisition of First Transit to Become Leading Private Operator of Transportation in the U.S.] Transdev March 7, 2023
Operations
First Transit had more than 19,000 employees and operated and maintains more than 49,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
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{{FirstGroup|state=collapsed}}
Category:Bus companies of India
Category:Bus companies of the United States
Category:Companies based in Cincinnati
Category:Transport companies established in 1955
Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2023
Category:Transportation companies based in Ohio