Technology

First Student’s Innovative Alternative Transportation Solution Demonstrates Remarkable Growth, Cementing the Company as the Only Comprehensive K-12 Student Transportation Provider in North America

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2024

CINCINNATI, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FirstAlt, First Student’s alternative transportation solution, announced a year of unprecedented growth and innovation, setting new standards in student transportation. FirstAlt has achieved remarkable milestones, including a 2,068% increase in trips serviced and a 1,035% surge in the number of students transported. These achievements are a testament to FirstAlt’s commitment to safety, efficiency and service excellence.

Rounding out First Student’s comprehensive transportation solutions, FirstAlt provides districts with a safe and reliable transportation option for students with special needs, students experiencing homelessness, out of district students, and hard to serve trips. FirstAlt utilizes a fleet of small capacity vehicles from existing local transportation companies. The sedans, SUVs, minivans and wheelchair vans are expertly operated and maintained, giving school districts flexibility in their transportation program, reducing costs and freeing up resources for higher-capacity trips.

From the 2022-23 school year to the 2023-24 school year, FirstAlt experienced a 142% increase in districts serviced. It is now operating in 14 states, underscoring FirstAlt’s rapid expansion and growing influence in the student transportation sector.

“The last thing parents and school districts want is to stress about or struggle with getting their kids to and from school every day,” said Gregg Prettyman, VP FirstAlt. “The growth we’ve experienced in the last year, and what we see for the coming school year, confirms what we thought when we launched FirstAlt: districts are looking for a single partner that can accommodate all their transportation needs, from a large bus to an alternative vehicle. In the coming year, we plan to infuse more technology to bolster our already strong safety culture and expand to even more districts. FirstAlt and the ability to provide districts with a complete K-12 transportation solution is a game changing offering with a very bright future.”

FirstAlt is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and efficiency. Following a successful pilot program, FirstAlt will be rolling out AI dash cams for all districts that want to onboard this technology. These advanced cameras, designed to protect students and drivers offer comprehensive 360° risk detection through reliable AI-detected safety events and seamless, cloud-based video retrieval. This technology empowers drivers to build safe driving habits with AI-based voice coaching and video-based coaching workflows, helping prevent incidents and fostering a culture of safety. By proactively recognizing safe drivers and providing actionable insights, FirstAlt is poised to further differentiate itself as a safety leader.

“EQT is proud of First Student’s work in leveraging innovative technology for alternative student transportation,” said Neha Jatar, Managing Director at EQT Group. “FirstAlt’s remarkable growth shows not only the strong demand, but the power of utilizing technology to manage every aspect of alternative student transportation, with features that prioritize safety and efficiency, provide transparency, and simplify operations. We are committed to investing in companies like First Student that are addressing community needs through tailored yet efficient transportation solutions.”

As FirstAlt looks ahead to the upcoming school year, the focus remains on enhancing safety measures, continuing to provide top-notch transportation solutions for students across the country as well as providing districts with a one-stop-shop for all of their transportation needs. The remarkable growth and technological advancements achieved in the past year set a strong foundation for continued success and innovation.

About First Student
As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of more than 46,000 buses.

Media Contact
Jen Biddinger
513-362-4600

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SOURCE First Student

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Booking.com’s Latest Travel and Sustainability Research Reveals Australian Generational Paradox

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today Booking.com released its 11th annual research report into consumer attitudes and understanding of the social and environmental impact of travel. With insights from 32,500 travellers across 35 markets globally, including 1,000 from Australia, this year’s research highlights a generational paradox.

While 83% of Australian travellers say that more sustainable travel is important to them, older generations demonstrate greater commitment through concrete actions, despite younger generations often expressing stronger sustainability intentions.

Older generations demonstrate greater commitment through concrete sustainable actions, with almost two–thirds of Boomers across Asia Pacific (63%) saying they will shop more at local, independent stores on their trips, three–quarters (75%) planning to reduce general waste, and 63% intending to reduce energy consumption, higher than Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z.However, younger travellers are leading in cultural and conservation management; more than a quarter of Gen Z (27%) and Millennials (26%) participated in a tour or activity that contributed to the health or conservation of the local ecosystem or wildlife.Extreme weather is actively reshaping travel choices. Nearly three-quarters of Australian travellers said they consider extreme weather risk when choosing both destination (72%), and timing (75%), and 27% reported having cancelled or changed trip plans in the past twelve months due to extreme weather or natural disaster.Australian travellers are shifting when and where they travel, seeking reliable climates and comfort. 43% say they plan to avoid overcrowded tourist destinations, 42% plan to travel outside of peak season, and 26% will seek out destinations with cooler temperatures.In 2025, travellers booked more than 100 million room nights on Booking.com at accommodation partners with a third-party sustainability certification, including at 363 third-party certified Australian properties.

To find Booking.com’s full 2026 research, visit here.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/bookingcoms-latest-travel-and-sustainability-research-reveals-australian-generational-paradox-302760310.html

SOURCE Booking.com