First Student Acquires Apple Bus Company

Student Transportation of America Acquires Universal Transportation Systems

October 7, 2025

Transportation

Student Transportation of America (STA) has acquired Universal Transportation Systems (UTS), a leading independent student transportation provider in Ohio. Northborne Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to UTS; financial terms were not disclosed. UTS operates more than 350 buses and vans and employs over 350 staff across terminals in the Cincinnati and Columbus metropolitan areas.

Student Transportation of America Acquires Multiple Regional Bus Operators

January 23, 2025

Transportation

Student Transportation of America (STA) completed a series of add-on acquisitions of regional school and charter bus operators across the U.S., increasing STA’s annual revenue by more than $70 million, adding over 1,000 employees and nearly 900 vehicles. The acquired operators include Visconti Bus Service, VW Trans, Birnie Bus Service and Birnie Transit, Desert Choice Transport, West Point Tours, Brandt Buses, and Assist-to-Transport, which will be integrated to expand STA’s national footprint and service capabilities.

First Student Acquires Dufresne Group

February 13, 2023

Transportation

First Student has completed the acquisition of Montreal-based Dufresne Group, a provider of school transportation, coach and transit passenger services with a fleet of 542 vehicles. The deal expands First Student’s home-to-school operations in Eastern Canada and brings Dufresne’s team and contracts under First Student’s Autobus Transco brand; terms were not disclosed.

H.I.G. Infrastructure Acquires North America Central School Bus

August 2, 2021

Transportation

An affiliate of H.I.G. Capital's infrastructure arm has acquired North America Central School Bus (NAC), a Joliet, Illinois–based student transportation provider. The deal was an exit for prior sponsor Goldner Hawn LP; H.I.G. said it will support geographic expansion and a transition to next-generation (including electric) bus technology while management, led by CEO Steve Hemmerlein, remains in place.

EQT Infrastructure Acquires First Student and First Transit from FirstGroup for $4.6bn

May 24, 2021

Transportation

EQT Infrastructure has completed the acquisition of First Student and First Transit, two North American subsidiaries of FirstGroup plc, for USD 4.6 billion. EQT said it will invest in organizational, operational and digital technology initiatives and accelerate fleet electrification and transition to renewable fuels to improve service and reduce environmental impact.

First Student Acquires Mid States School Bus

March 18, 2021

Transportation

First Student agreed to acquire Mid States School Bus, a Wayne, Nebraska-based provider of school and charter transportation that operates roughly 200 buses across eastern Nebraska and South Dakota. The acquisition expands First Student's Midwestern footprint; Mid States' general manager Dean Carroll will remain in a leadership role. Terms were not disclosed.