CINCINNATI — First Student has added 41 new buses to its Springfield, Mass., fleet to transport students in the Springfield School District.

Thomas Built Buses manufactured 28 of the buses. Officials said that the Saf-T-Liner buses are newly designed with a focus on added safety and comfort, as well as cleaner emissions, and that the enlarged front window offers drivers greater visibility.

In addition, the buses boast a footprint of near-zero nitrogen oxide emissions.

First Student also integrated 13 new small buses into its Springfield fleet. The buses began transporting students in February.

"First Student is an industry leader when it comes to technology," said Ted Leclerc, First Student area general manager for southern New England. "Safety is our foremost concern, so we continually look to make the experience of riding the bus even better for students."

In other news, First Student is providing free shuttle service this weekfor the Ladies Professional Golf Association's RR Donnelley Founders Cup Tournament at the Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix.

More than 50 buses from the company's Phoenix location will be used to transport spectators.