First Student Expands Canadian Operations

First Student has signed an agreement to acquire Quebec-based school bus company Sabem SEC.

The deal extends First Student’s operations in Quebec, where the company has a fleet of almost 750, according to a news release from the student transportation provider. First Student operates under its Autobus Transco brand in the province, where it transports more than 50,000 students each school day. Sabem SEC currently operates more than 140 buses.

“We’re pleased to expand our service in Quebec by adding a great team that shares in our mission to provide safe and reliable transportation,” said First Student President Paul Osland. “This is further evidence of our strategic commitment to grow through acquisitions. We’ll continue to search for opportunities to leverage our resources, insights, and expertise to benefit school systems, students, and families across North America.”

The agreement includes 14 Type-C, 72-passenger electric school buses, furthering First Student’s commitment to improving environmental health for its student passengers and communities. As School Bus Fleet previously reported, in May, First Student and The Lion Electric Co. jointly announced an order of 260 electric LionC school buses, all of which will be deployed in Quebec.

The acquisition is First Student’s third in Canada in less than two years. In January 2020, the company acquired the Campeau Bus Lines locations in Ottawa and Bowmanville, Ontario. In July 2020, First Student acquired Wubs Transit in Winchester, Ontario.

The acquisition of Sabem SEC is expected to close in October, subject to receiving third party approvals and other customary conditions to closing, according to First Student. Terms about the agreement have not yet been disclosed.