First Transit and First Vehicle Services announced they have reached 70 National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal maintenance shops.
In total, 554 First Transit and First Vehicle Services technicians are ASE certified and hold more than 3,800 certifications, plus 229 technicians hold master certifications.
“We are proud of our number of ASE Blue Seal shops and master certified technicians,” said First Transit and First Vehicle Services Senior Vice President of Maintenance Dave Larsen. “Ensuring excellence in maintenance service for our communities starts with our team members. We have the industry’s most experienced technicians, and our commitment to continually innovating and providing our team with resources and additional training allows us to deliver best-in-class maintenance to our customers.”
First Transit and First Vehicle Services locations received ASE’s Blue Seal recognition due to their achievement in recruiting the best technicians, supporting their training and utilizing technology to track vehicle histories and request help from other technicians.
As a commitment to employees’ continuing education, First Transit and First Vehicle Services technicians are provided with testing resources and receive test fee reimbursements for successfully completing ASE certification testing. To participate in ASE’s Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program, 75 percent of the service technicians at a location must be certified by ASE. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered.
First Transit provides maintenance services for more than 10,500 vehicles, including traditional transit and double-decker buses, electric, alternative fuel and shared autonomous vehicles. First Vehicle Services maintains more than 36,500 vehicles and pieces of equipment, ranging from vehicles for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service to trucks, construction equipment and aerial lift trucks.
ASE, an independent nonprofit organization, was created in 1972 to provide the transportation industry a viable workforce by providing standards and credentials for institutions, organizations and individuals. Additionally, ASE offers career development and workplace exposure to those who would enter our industry by creating relationships and partnerships with transportation employers.
