LAKEVILLE, Mass. — First Student has been awarded a new contract to provide student transportation for the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District.

The three-year agreement, which begins with the 2016-17 school year, includes the operation, maintenance, and management of all of the district’s transportation services.

“Student safety is our number one priority,” said Richard Medeiros, superintendent of Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District. “We are confident First Student will deliver the high-quality transportation services we expect, while continuously looking at ways to make the experience even better for our students who ride the bus.”

First Student is replacing the district’s current school buses with an entirely new fleet. The buses will be equipped with GPS, crossing gates, and the Child Check-Mate System.

First Student will also work with the district to maximize route efficiencies. The contractor offers customized fleet management and maintenance programs as well as consulting services.

First Student expects to transport close to 3,000 students daily in the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District. The contractor provides transportation for nearly 50 school districts in Massachusetts.

“We look forward to working with the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District for the upcoming school year and beyond,” said Dave Collins, area general manager for First Student.