CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has been awarded a new three-year contract to provide special-education school bus transportation to Minnetonka (Minn.) Public Schools 276.

The contract will begin on Aug. 1. First Student will provide 26 new minibuses, six of which will be lift-equipped, as well a full-sized lift-equipped bus.

First Student has served the Minnetonka district for more than 30 years. In addition to providing the new buses to transport students with special needs, the contractor will continue to provide transportation services for general-education students with a fleet of 49 buses.  

Each of the First Student buses utilized for Minnetonka’s special-education transportation will include safety features such as a GPS tracking system, a Zonar Systems Electronic Vehicle Inspection Report component, onboard cameras and the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system to ensure that no child is left unattended on a bus.

First Student has extensive experience in serving school districts’ needs for special-education transportation services and therefore understands that special training and equipment is required to safely transport students with special needs. The company conducts numerous special-needs driver education programs that incorporate video presentations, driver manuals, workshops and on-the-job training.