CINCINNATI — First Student will be providing safe and reliable transportation service to more school districts and families in Wisconsin. The company has signed a binding purchase agreement to acquire the assets of Badger Bus Lines, a longtime provider of student, coach, charter, paratransit and truck repair services in the Madison area.
“Badger Bus has served generations of families in Madison, demonstrating a clear commitment to helping ensure students in the community achieve their full potential,” said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. “We respect their experience and are proud to have them join our team. With the transition to First Student leadership, processes and capabilities, we can further enhance transportation services for our school district partners and their families.”
Badger Bus was founded in 1920 and has been part of the Madison community for more than 100 years. The company has three main locations in the area, including other facilities in Verona and Beaver Dam. Owners will continue to operate Bader Coach. First Student will operate its current home-to-school and paratransit services. All Badger Bus employees will have the opportunity to join First Student.
“First Student is the clear industry leader, and we are excited to pass the torch and see the next phase of Badger Bus,” said Badger co-owner Dave Meier. “We are confident the company will build on our success, continuing a deep focus on our passengers, customers and employees. We know they will benefit from First Student’s top safety programs and innovative technologies that will enhance the bus-riding experience for current and future generations.”
The acquisition of Badger Bus Lines is expected to close in the summer of 2023. Terms and conditions were not disclosed.
About First Student
As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization and scheduling, maintenance and charter services with a fleet of more than 44,500 buses.