First Student bus updates for the new year

In these early days of the new school year, everyone throughout the City School District of Albany is working hard to provide the best possible back-to-school experience for all of our students and families. This includes our yellow bus transportation partners at First Student. 

First Student has done an excellent job making sure that the bus driver shortages that have affected other school districts regionally, statewide and nationally have not limited our goal of welcoming all students back for in-person instruction in 2021-22. 

We want you to be aware that some yellow bus routes may be running behind schedule at the start of the year as new drivers get used to routes and meet new students and families, and as we all adjust to daily in-person schedules for all students for the first time in 18 months. 

Bus delays of 15-20 minutes -- and possibly more in isolated instances -- are possible in some cases this week and next. We ask that you continue to follow the guideline of having your student at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the designated pickup time. If your child receives curb-to-curb pickup, please be sure they are outside when the bus arrives. 

• If you have any questions about your yellow bus route or schedule, contact our Transportation Department at (518) 475-6170.
• If a transportation issue arises after 5 p.m., contact First Student directly at (518) 445-6372.

Please remember that masks are required for everyone on the bus, regardless of vaccination status. 

FirstView app

Also, a reminder that you can download First Student’s FirstView app, which goes live Oct. 1 each school year. FirstView allows you to track the location and direction of your bus, the stop schedule for the current day, and times for school arrivals and departures. 

For more information and to download the app, visit firstviewapp.com. It’s a free download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Just search FirstView.