Five-year contract includes the operation of approximately 360 vehicles.
CINCINNATI— First Student, Inc., the nation’s leader in student transportation, has been awarded the student transportation contract for Detroit Public Schools, the largest school district in Michigan, beginning May 1, 2010.
The contract is a five-year agreement and includes the operation of a nearly 360-vehicle fleet. First Student will provide transportation for the district’s nearly 90,000 students at 172 schools. The company will also bring new technology to the district’s buses. At the start of the 2010 school year, all First Student buses serving the district will be equipped with such safety features as GPS tracking systems, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus, and crossing gates to allow children to cross in front of the bus at a safe distance.
“We are proud to provide student transportation to Detroit Public Schools,” said Linda Burtwistle, president, First Student. “School buses are considered the safest form of transportation on the roads today. Our focus on safety and customer service, coupled with solid fleet maintenance and driver training programs, enables us to provide the students of Detroit Public Schools with reliable transportation to school each and every day.”
About First Student
First Student, Inc., a part of Cincinnati-based FirstGroup America, is the leader in safe, reliable, sustainable transportation and is the largest provider of student transportation services in North America. FirstGroup America was recently awarded the National Safety Council’s 2009 Green Cross for Safety Medal in recognition of its commitment to safety and outstanding safety record. First Student safely transports more than 4 million students with a fleet of 60,000 yellow school buses in North America. For more information, please visit www.firststudentinc.com.
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