SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

First Student Acquires Apple Bus Company

Both companies provide pupil transportation services to customers across North America. The acquisition is expected to be complete by no later than this summer.

First Student Acquires Apple Bus Company

 

1 min to read


First Student announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Apple Bus Company. Apple Bus Company, headquartered in Missouri, provides transportation to more than 80 school district customers across North America, with a fleet of approximately 1,500 buses. The company has 33 locations in eight states.

According to a news release, First Student provides services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of about 40,000 buses.

Ad Loading...

"Apple Bus Company shares in our unwavering commitment to provide students with safe, reliable transportation," said First Student President Paul G. Osland.

"Apple Bus Company, like First Student, believes great transportation partnerships are built on a foundation of trust, understanding, commitment and high-quality service," said Apple Bus President Mike Oyster.

Since 2019, First Student has acquired six bus lines and added more than 1,100 buses to its fleet.

The acquisition of Apple Bus is expected to be complete by no later than this summer. Terms were not disclosed.

More Management

An aerial view of school buses in a lot with the Transfinder logo and text reading "New District Installs Across the Nation."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsApril 2, 2026

Transfinder Expands Footprint with New District Adoptions Across U.S.

Districts nationwide are adopting Transfinder’s routing, tracking, and parent apps as the company also earns its ninth Best Companies to Work for in New York honor.

Read More →
Zonar Bus Suite app shown on smartphones with map tracking and language selection options, highlighting multilingual support for school transportation updates.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 2, 2026

Zonar Expands Parent App to Include 2 More Languages

The Bus Suite app is now supported in French and Spanish to aid in assisting families across diverse communities.

Read More →
The Blue Bird and Micro Bird logos with a plus sign in between against a blue background
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 2, 2026

Blue Bird Completes Acquisition of Micro Bird, Consolidates Operations

The Georgia-based OEM has acquired Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture, bringing the business fully under one brand, one team and one operating approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A yellow graphic featuring a map of the United States with two location pins in the Midwest and Southeast regions. To the right is the Zum logo and text reading “Zum Enters 2 More Partnerships,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 1, 2026

Zum Adds 2 More District Partnerships

The transportation and software provider is now working with LEAD Public Schools in Tennessee and Rockford Public Schools in Illinois.

Read More →
Graphic titled “Cooperative Purchasing 101” from School Bus Fleet showing a team meeting around a table with a laptop, documents, and a toy school bus, promoting easier ways to buy buses and technology.
Managementby Amanda HuggettApril 1, 2026

Stop Reinventing the RFP: Why Cooperative Purchasing Works for School Transportation

Take the burden out of bidding. Cooperative contracts can save district transportation teams time, money, and hassle. Here’s how.

Read More →
Row of yellow school buses with overlay text reading “The essential guide to school bus fleet maintenance: Maximizing safety and uptime” and the Geotab logo.
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance: Maximizing Safety and Uptime

Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Video thumbnail with EverDriven branding and text “Better Routes, Less Stress,” featuring a man in a suit for a School Bus Fleet interview
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettMarch 31, 2026

Alternative Turns Yellow: EverDriven’s Move Into School Bus Routing

EverDriven is bringing its experience with complex transportation into a new school bus routing support division. In this video, Greg Jackson breaks down what the service offers and why districts need this kind of help now more than ever.

Read More →
Kathy Calkins stands in a parking lot with school buses behind her and the admin of the year award logo next to her
ManagementCover Storyby Amanda HuggettMarch 30, 2026

2026 Administrator of the Year: Kathy Calkins’ Transformational Leadership in Oregon

Three decades after almost walking away from the school bus, studying behavior changed everything for Kathy Calkins. Now, she oversees 181 buses and leads the 225-person team at North Clackamas with intent and purpose.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions

While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Students getting off a yellow electric school bus labeled “100% Electric” with Zūm Services branding
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 27, 2026

Zum Shares 2025 Successes

Zūm Services achieved record-setting revenue last year as its AI-powered platform grew to 15 states. These and more measurable wins detailed here.

Read More →