ST. PAUL, Minn. — Student Transportation of America Inc. (STA) has been awarded a new five-year contract with St. Paul Public Schools.

The school bus contractor, a subsidiary of Student Transportation Inc. (STI), is currently hiring drivers for open positions.

The $4 million annual contract, to begin next month, will feature 65 new, propane-powered vehicles and a refurbished facility in St. Paul. The contract award also marks the expansion of the company's operations in Minnesota, where it currently operates more than 100 vehicles for East Carver County Schools in Chaska.

"The Twin Cities area is a hotbed for innovation and progressive thinking, so our company values and strategy in using alternative fuels and technology should create an exciting partnership with the community," STI CEO Denis Gallagher said. "We have been in Minnesota for almost 10 years now and saw an opportunity to expand across the southern part of the state to St. Paul, which we thought would welcome some new ideas."

Gallagher added that the company is creating more than 75 new jobs in the community for drivers, dispatchers and vehicle technicians.

STA's new vehicles will feature on-board cameras, GPS and Child Check-Mate systems for added security.

The company also expects to debut its mobile app SafeStop during this school year. The app allows parents to securely track the location of their child's school bus along its route to and from school every day. The service also includes various information notices and alerts sent to its members.

STA plans to hold an open house at the facility in early August to showcase the new vehicles and to introduce members of the community to the STA team.

Other recent news on Student Transportation Inc.:

• STI wins 3 conversion contracts