First Transit and First Vehicle Services added 11 new maintenance locations that have earned the Blue Seal of Excellence. This brings the current number to 66 across North America.

The Blue Seal of Excellence is given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To receive ASE's Blue Seal of Excellence, 75% 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 Vehicle Services maintains and provides vehicle maintenance services for more than 36,500 pieces of equipment, including vehicles from law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical service to trucks, construction equipment, buses, and aerial lift trucks.

The First Transit and First Vehicle Services locations received ASE’s Blue Seal certification for their achievement in recruiting the best employees, supporting their training, and providing the best equipment to maintain the vehicles.

These locations are among the more than 120 to have achieved Blue Seal status throughout FirstGroup America, the parent company of First Transit. FirstGroup America includes school-bus operator First Student, First Vehicle Services, and Greyhound Lines,, Inc. This is the most of any transportation company in North America.

“With our steadily growing number of ASE Blue Seal locations, our goal is to maintain vehicles properly and to the highest safety standards,” says Todd Hawkins, First Transit sr. VP, maintenance. “Our maintenance teams are very proud to deliver this type of service to our customers.”

ASE, an independent nonprofit organization, was created in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. The Blue Seal of Excellence is the highest certification level given by the organization.