STA’s Decades-Long History
Founded in 1997, Student Transportation of America has consistently grown based on a safety-driven mindset and the idea that taking care of our employees, customers, and the communities where we operate translates into sustainable and long-term partnerships.
STA was publicly traded on the NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange, and in 2018 transitioned to being a privately held organization led by our senior management team and our largest and longest-tenured shareholder, CDPQ. This partnership gives STA access to greater resources that allow senior management and staff members to spend more time with our employees and customers, to improve upon the safe operations we already have, and in creating new technologies that will enhance operations and provide more efficient services for our customers.
Student Transportation Inc. is founded on the idea of safety-driven, family-oriented business plan
Lists on the Toronto Stock Exchange and operates 3,300 vehicles in 10 states
Forms and establishes Student Transportation of Canada (STC)
Lists on NASDAQ Stock Exchange and operates 7,300 vehicles in 12 states
Earns largest bid win in company history with Omaha, Nebraska, and operates largest all-propane fleet in the industry
Receives the Sustainability All-Star Award for leadership in running alternative fuel and low-emission vehicles
Earns largest district conversion in company history, contracting with Meridian Public Schools in Idaho
Secures record-breaking contract with customer in Jacksonville, Florida, doubling company’s operations in the district
Rejoins private sector as Student Transportation of America Inc. (STA), led by our senior management team and largest and longest-tenured shareholder, CDPQ
Appoints Patrick Vaughan as Chief Executive Officer
Launches first electric vehicle pilot initiative in Los Angeles, California, in partnership with Blue Bird Corporation; expands program throughout the year into New Jersey, Vermont, and Canada
Completes acquisition of Pacific Western Transportation (PWT), the largest privately-owned transportation company in Canada
Recognized as the only student transportation contractor on the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers 2024”
Appoints Gene Kowalczewski as Chief Executive Officer
STA’s Company Culture Today
What makes STA truly unique is our longstanding culture of fostering environments that support the 1.25 million students we transport each day – and each other. With operations across all of North America, we remain dedicated to safety and nurturing a unique company culture that focuses on three groups of critical stakeholders: employees, customers, and communities.
Commitment to our employees is to be there for them. To know about them, and to help them in times of personal challenges. By doing so, we create a sense of family, pride, and empowerment with employees that are happy to come to work each day and get children to school safely.
Our commitment to our customers is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective student transportation. We work for our partners to find a customized solution that is right for the school district, its students, and their community. Our success in this is best demonstrated through our proven track record of retaining and renewing contracts.
Our commitment to our communities is two-fold. First, our leadership team values the tradition of service established by our local operators – the STA Family of Companies. While larger contractors try to maximize their strength in numbers, STA has grown by understanding that local transportation is a “local business.” Second, we are committed to innovative, environmentally conscious programs across North America, reducing emissions and promoting better health for our passengers and communities.