CINCINNATI — First Student Inc. has been awarded a new three-year school transportation contract to serve Columbus (Ohio) City Schools.

The contract will begin on July 1, with First Student operating more than 270 of the district’s routes.

“We have been working with the district for several years, and are very pleased to continue to provide Columbus City Schools and its students with safe and reliable transportation,” said Linda Burtwistle, president of First Student. “Each of our highly trained drivers and staff members are dedicated to providing the safest transportation possible, as well as outstanding customer service to the students, parents and schools within the district.”

The company will transfer additional buses to the district to complement the fleet that is currently in place. Each bus serving Columbus City Schools will be equipped with safety features such as GPS tracking systems, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system, designed to ensure no child is left unattended on a bus, and crossing gates to allow children to cross in front of the bus at a safe distance.

The buses will also be equipped with an electronic vehicle inspection component that immediately alerts maintenance personnel to any maintenance issues during each driver’s daily safety inspections.

First Student has also won a new three-year contract to serve Oak Park (Mich.) Schools.

The contract will begin with the 2010-11 school year and the company will provide regular and special-education busing for students in the district.

First Student will utilize the district’s current buses, enhancing them with GPS tracking systems, the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system and crossing gates.

First Student will also replace nine of the district’s buses, 45 percent of its fleet, with upgraded models over the course of the contract.  

“We are pleased to work with Oak Park Schools and are committed to providing safe and reliable transportation as well as outstanding customer service to the district, students and parents in the community,” said Roger Moore, region vice president for First Student. “We hope to retain as many current Oak Park school bus drivers as possible, as they live in the community and are familiar with the students and schools.”