DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Durham School Services, the third-largest school bus contractor in the U.S., has acquired Murphy Bus Service in New Jersey. Murphy operates approximately 500 school buses in northern and southern New Jersey and has been serving the area for more than 40 years. Durham completed the acquisition July 31. “This strategic acquisition broadens our regional base of operations and should be seamless for the Murphy Bus team and customers,” said David Duke, senior vice president of services in the East. “We certainly look forward to continuing to provide the school districts served by Murphy with excellent service and providing them with national resources in safety, training, recruiting and operations.” Durham School Services has contracts with school districts in 27 states and operates a fleet of more than 10,000 buses.
Durham acquires New Jersey contractor
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Durham School Services, the third-largest school bus contractor in the U.S., has acquired Murphy Bus Service in New Jersey....
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