CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has been awarded the full Cincinnati Public Schools student transportation contract, which had previously been operated by three providers, including First Student.

The five-year agreement includes the operation and maintenance of all student transportation services. First Student will expand its current fleet serving the district from 240 to 390 vehicles, with service beginning July 1.

Cincinnati Public Schools board members voted to give the entire contract to First Student; the district estimated it will save $11.5 million compared to the current contract. The savings would be achieved through economies of scale, route optimization and improved purchasing agreements.

“We are very pleased to be selected as the single student transportation provider for Cincinnati Public Schools,” said Carey Paster, president and CEO of commercial development for First Student parent company FirstGroup America. “By choosing First Student, the district is able to lower costs without compromising safety and focus limited resources on education rather than transportation.”

First Student will recruit employees from both of the other current contractors, provided they meet the company’s safety standards and pass background checks.

First Student is also in the process of selecting new property in Cincinnati to house additional buses. The company has two facilities already in place.