CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has been awarded a new three-year contract to provide school bus transportation to Berkeley (Ill.) School District 87.

The contract began July 1, and the company is providing the district with 17 buses.

“Our job is to provide safe and reliable transportation at a cost-effective price, allowing the district to focus its resources on the core goal of providing an education to its students,” said Roger Moore, region vice president for First Student. “We are pleased to work with the Berkeley School District, and are committed to providing safe transportation and outstanding customer service to the district, students and parents in the community for many years to come.”

The First Student buses serving the district will include such safety features as the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system, designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus, and a crossing gate to allow children to cross in front of the bus at a safe distance. Each bus will also be equipped with a GPS system that will allow staff to pinpoint the exact location and speed of each bus.

Moreover, First Student will employ a computerized routing tool to help the district ensure that it is maximizing route efficiencies.