WALL, N.J. — Student Transportation Inc.'s Illinois-based subsidiary Positive Connections Inc. (PCI) has been awarded a contract renewal to provide transportation services to Eastern Carver County School District 112 in Chaska, Minn.

The extension contract will be for a two-year term with the option to renew for an additional two, valued at just over $4 million per school year with annual increases provided.

PCI will replace over 20 percent of the fleet to newly designed propane-fueled school vehicles with the anticipation that the district will approve more throughout the life on the contract.

Last year, the more than 100 PCI vehicles servicing District 112 averaged approximately 17,000 miles transporting district students. Both the district and PCI were looking for creative ways to save money on fuel costs.

After extensive analysis, both agreed propane-fueled buses would be their best alternative-fuel option. District 112 is conservatively estimating $1,500 in fuel cost savings, per bus, per year.

"We are extremely pleased to be awarded the renewal with District 112," said Pete Pearson, chief operating officer of Student Transportation's central region. "We believe our reputation for providing cost-effective, high-quality service played an important part in District 112's decision to utilize alternative-fuel vehicles."

Student Transportation is currently operating a similar fleet of the new propane-fueled vehicles in Los Angeles and has been promoting clean-burning fuels as a way to save money and renew contracts.