CANBY, Ore. — Student Transportation of America (STA) has been awarded its third contract in Oregon: a $3.1 million annual pact to provide school transportation services for Canby School District.

The district’s new contract with STA, which is a subsidiary of Student Transportation Inc., begins Aug. 1.

Canby School District is located 20 miles southeast of Portland. It serves about 5,000 students from eight schools in Canby and surrounding parts of Clackamas County.

The initial five-year contract includes a renewal option, and it adds to STA’s regional density. The contractor will soon complete its first year of providing student transportation for nearby Lake Oswego School District. Also, STA was recently awarded a contract with neighboring Tigard-Tualatin School District that will begin in July.

"When reviewing proposals for this contract, safety, reliability, driver training, and responsiveness were high priorities," said Trip Goodall, superintendent of Canby School District. "The service and performance history, company stability, and commitment to green fuel were other factors that weighed into our decision."

STA will provide 49 new vehicles, including 42 propane-fueled buses, to replace the diesel fleet that is currently in use.

Canby requested video surveillance systems on the vehicles and will also receive GPS tracking systems, two-way radios, front bumper crossing arms, and Child Check-Mate systems as value-added features. Also, the buses will enable parents to use the SafeStop tracking app.

"Canby is a forward-thinking school district that was seeking new ideas for improved transportation of their students,” said Don Kissell, senior vice president of operations for STA in the western region. “They felt the new solutions we offered with alternative fuels, on-board technology, a wide-ranging communications plan, and our unique company culture would not only benefit them but would also be well-received by the entire community.”

STA will hold informational sessions with current drivers and personnel, who will be given the first opportunity to work for the company.