Seneca Valley students get new rides for first day

August 21, 2025 Last Updated: August 21, 2025 08:47 PM Local News

New to school buses this year, Seneca Valley has its name branded on each bus on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

For many students, Seneca Valley’s first day of school came with a new ride.

With students returning to Seneca Valley School District Thursday, Aug. 21, the district also began its new relationship with First Student, a multi-state school transportation company operating at over 500 districts in the U.S. and Canada.

Seneca Valley School District posted a transportation update on its website thanking families for their patience with possible delays due to drivers and students getting used to new routes.

“During these first few days, bus routes may be running later than scheduled as drivers and students settle into new routines. Please know our transportation team is working hard to get everyone to and from school safely and we expect times to improve as routes become more familiar,” the update said.

A boy is greeted by a family member at the end of the school day as Haine Elementary School had its first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

The bus company will transport many of Seneca Valley’s nearly 7,500 students to its nine school buildings in buses branded with “Seneca Valley School District.”

The $70 million agreement between Seneca Valley and First Student comes after the Seneca Valley school board chose not to renew its contract with ABC Transit, Inc. and Valley Lines, Inc.

In March, the district said in a news release it has negotiated with vendors over the past four months. It selected First Student, with an agreement that will introduce a new fleet of vehicles that are “equipped with advanced technology systems designed to enhance communication and safety.”

At the board’s March 3 meeting, Todd O’Shell, ABC Transit’s vice president of operations, said his company answered the district’s needs, minimized disruptions and found solutions to problems in response to the change in transportation companies. But Seneca Valley said in an Aug. 18 news release First Student will bring “expertise and resources” to the school’s transportation department.

“Seneca Valley is committed to providing the safest and most reliable transportation possible for our students,” Tracy Vitale, Seneca Valley’s superintendent, said in the news release. “We welcome this new partnership with First Student and appreciate the expertise and resources they bring to support our transportation program.”

A boy runs through the playground during school as Haine Elementary School had its first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

In the news release, First Student highlighted it will be using almost 150 new buses as part of its Seneca Valley operations to serve the district’s quickly growing communities, including a “brand-new fleet and advanced technology designed to elevate the ride experience for students.”

The district, which covers roughly 100 square miles, is expected to continue growing. School board President Eric DiTullio has previously said the district expects a 10% growth in size of the student body over the next decade.

A boy waves goodbye to his friends on the bus at the end of the school day as Haine Elementary School had its first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

First Student said it provides transportation for over 5.5 million students across North America every day, using over 46,000 vehicles.

While students poured in and out of Seneca Valley’s elementary, middle and high schools on Thursday, Seneca Valley’s communications director, Ian Hunter, said everything about the first day of school, including student transportation, was going smoothly.

“Everyone seems in a good mood. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s got their first day jitters, But things are going great. I haven’t heard anything to the contrary,” Hunter said.