WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Krapf Bus Companies acquired Birnie Bus Service Inc., a Rome, New York-based school bus and transportation provider, on Wednesday.

Birnie Bus operates 1,000 vehicles, including school buses, transit and paratransit vehicles, and motorcoaches. Combined, the enterprise will operate 2,500 school buses across four states: Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Virginia. Every year, Birnie Bus transports over 2 million passengers and travels over 700 million miles.

Birnie Bus will become the largest division of Krapf Bus Companies and brings to the company contracts with more than 70 school districts and preschools, as well as transit, paratransit, and motorcoach operations. With the acquisition, the Krapf organization now employs over 3,500 people.

"Birnie Bus is a great bus company and a great fit for us,” said Blake Krapf, president and CEO of Krapf Bus Companies. “They are family owned and run like us. Their core values are much like ours. And they are widely recognized as being an excellent service provider. We are very proud to have them join the Krapf organization.”

“It is important to me that Birnie Bus is in good hands — including our customers, our employees, and our reputation,” said Tim Birnie, president and CEO of Birnie Bus. “While I will be joining the Krapf board of directors in a more strategic role, I am delighted that the Krapfs will not only be taking charge, but will be taking Birnie to whole new levels of performance in the years ahead.”

“We are very proud to have Birnie Bus become part of the Krapf Bus family,” said Dale Krapf, chairman of the Krapf board of directors. "Birnie has a very strong management and employee team, a great customer base, and a fine reputation. We expect a very bright future working together.”

Birnie Bus began in 1947 when Martin K. Birnie joined his brother-in-law Martin J. Nunn, a local undertaker, to operate three school buses and two charter coaches. The business grew steadily over the years. Martin’s son, Tim Birnie, joined the family business in 1979, eventually leading the company to grow to its present size.

Krapf Bus Companies was founded in 1942 by George Krapf Jr. with two school buses. Krapf also operates charter buses, paratransit vehicles, and public transit routes in the greater southeastern Pennsylvania area.

Both school bus companies appeared on School Bus Fleet's 2017 Top 50 Contractors list, with Krapf taking the No. 6 spot, and Birnie Bus at No. 17.