WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Durham School Services has been awarded four new student transportation contracts that became effective July 1.

Under a five-year agreement with Beaufort County (S.C.) School District, Durham utilizes district buses to service 135 routes.

The company’s contract with San Bernardino (Calif.) City Unified School District also spans five years. It includes 280 new buses, 47 of which run on compressed natural gas. The buses are also equipped with lap-shoulder belts and will serve 254 routes.

Under a four-year contract with Hinds County School District in Raymond, Miss., the contractor brought in 105 new buses to cover 96 routes. Durham also has a four-year agreement with Memphis (Tenn.) City Schools wherein it will service 344 routes. The company has also outfitted 365 new buses with air conditioning systems.      

“Durham School Services is committed to delivering the highest level of safety and service to the school officials, students and parents of these school districts,” said John Polli, senior vice president of business development. “We are excited to become a vital part of each of these communities we serve.”

All of the new buses Durham provided for the contracts meet the latest federal emissions standards and are equipped with GPS systems, multi-head video cameras and electronic reminder devices designed to ensure that children are not left unattended on a bus.

Durham worked to fill needed positions with as many drivers, monitors, mechanics and staff as possible from the previous transportation operations. Strict hiring policies require drivers and monitors pass a full criminal background check, a motor vehicle records check, reference checks and a complete medical examination. New drivers also must complete classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training provided by Durham before they can drive buses.