CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has signed a contract with Thomas Built Buses Inc. to upgrade its fleet of school buses over the next three years.
Under the terms of the $90 million contract, High Point, N.C.-based Thomas Built will be the exclusive supplier of flat-front buses to First Student. The buses will meet U.S. 2007 emission standards and be equipped with front safety crossing gates, electronic child check reminder systems and global positioning systems.
“Investing in regular upgrades to our fleet is just one more way we ensure the 4 million children entrusted to us on our buses ride safely and securely to and from school each day” said Carey Paster, CEO and president, sales, marketing and commercial development, for First Student, First Student’s parent.
First Student operates 62,000 yellow school buses in the United States and Canada. It is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based First Student, the U.S. business of First Student plc, headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, which is the largest bus and rail operator in the United Kingdom.