CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has signed an agreement for IC Bus LLC to supply CE Series school buses through 2010, with further options to purchase additional buses through 2012. Including option years, the deal could be worth up to $1.2 billion.

"As the leading provider of student transportation in North America, we are committed to ensuring that our fleet meets our high standards of safety and quality and is environmentally and technologically advanced," said Carey Paster, CEO and president of sales, marketing and commercial development for FirstGroup America. "This agreement to purchase CE Series school buses from IC Bus over the next three years will enhance our fleet and our service to our customers."

The first of the buses is scheduled for delivery this summer from the IC Bus plant in Tulsa, Okla. The CE Series school buses are Type C (or conventional) and feature a front-mounted International MaxxForce diesel engine.

All of the buses ordered by First Student will be built to customer specifications and equipped with front safety crossing gates, electronic child-check reminder systems and steering wheel-mounted door and warning light controls to meet the company's safety requirements.

Last week, First Student announced that it had signed a $90 million contract with Thomas Built Buses to supply Type D Saf-T-Liner school buses over the next three years.