First Student Acquires Mid States School Bus

First Student Acquires Apple Bus Company

February 24, 2022

Transportation

First Student, a Cincinnati-based student transportation operator backed by EQT Infrastructure, has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Apple Bus Company, a Cleveland, Missouri-headquartered provider of school and charter transportation. The deal, announced by seller Great Range Capital, expands First Student’s geographic footprint and fleet; the transaction is expected to close by summer 2022 with terms not disclosed.

First Student Acquires Dufresne Group

February 13, 2023

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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.

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

May 24, 2021

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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.

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

August 2, 2021

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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.

Student Transportation of America Acquires Multiple Regional Bus Operators

January 23, 2025

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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.

Student Transportation of America Acquires Universal Transportation Systems

October 7, 2025

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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.