A History of Innovation and Excellence

First Transit has been a leader and innovator in transportation for over 50 years.

1955
American Transportation Enterprises is founded.

1969
American Transportation Enterprises continues operations under the newly formed ATE Management & Service Company. Former American Transportation Enterprise managers form ATE Management & Services Company to provide management services.

1986
Ryder acquires ATE Management & Services Co. to form Ryder/ATE. Ryder/ATE acquires Managed Logistic Systems to create Ryder/MLS.

1993
Ryder Student Transportation Services and Ryder/ATE combine to form Ryder Public Transportation Services.

1999
FirstGroup plc acquires Ryder Public Transportation Services, creating First Transit.

2003
First Transit acquires Coach USA Transit Services.

2004
First Transit manages and operates over 115 contracts with public transit organizations in 26 states.

2007
First Transit acquires Cognisa, a transportation company specializing in shuttle services. First Transit manages and operates 153 systems in 42 states, Canada and Puerto Rico for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, federal agencies, municipal organizations, and private companies.

2007
FirstGroup plc acquires Laidlaw International Inc, subsequently joining Laidlaw Transit with First Transit.  First Transit now operates 235 locations in 41 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.  First Transit's 15,500 employees operate 7,000 buses that cover over 260 million annual fleet miles.