FirstGroup America Receives Growth Award from Cincinnati USA Partnership

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) April 1, 2008 -- FirstGroup America (www.firstgroupamerica.com) was honored by the Cincinnati USA Partnership with a 2008 Growth Award March 25 during a ceremony at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. The awards honor businesses that have contributed to the health and vitality of the Cincinnati regional economy. The Cincinnati USA Partnership is the economic development initiative directed by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber whose mission is to attract, expand and retain businesses in the greater Cincinnati area.

The award recognizes FirstGroup America for its continued commitment to the Cincinnati region by choosing to remain in Cincinnati when expansion of its North American headquarters was needed and for growing its corporate operations here. The recent purchase of Laidlaw International, Inc., by parent corporation FirstGroup PLC, made FirstGroup America the largest transportation company in North America, with a total of 98,000 employees. FirstGroup America operates First Student, the largest provider of student transportation in the U.S. and Canada; First Transit, the largest private provider of transit management and contracting services; First Services, the largest private sector provider of fleet maintenance services, and Greyhound bus lines.

The FirstGroup America headquarters, currently at 705 Central Avenue, will be moving a few short blocks to 600 Vine Street. The move offers FirstGroup America nearly twice the square footage and will facilitate the consolidation of multiple operations from across the country to the Cincinnati facility, which houses the corporate offices for FirstGroup America and its First Student, First Transit and First Services divisions.

The award was accepted by Carey Paster, President of First Student school transportation services, and J. Michael Bloss, President of First Vehicle Services, which provides fleet management and maintenance.

"FirstGroup America is proud of this recognition and is honored to be a vibrant member of this city," said Paster, "We are happy to play a part in the further development of the Cincinnati area."

Bloss echoed the sentiment, "We at FirstGroup America look forward to continuing to grow and

expand our presence in the Cincinnati business community."

FirstGroup America, headquartered in Cincinnati, is North America's largest transportation company. With 98,000 employees, FirstGroup America operates First Student, the largest provider of student transportation in the U.S. and Canada; First Transit, the largest private provider of transit management and contracting services; First Services, the largest private sector provider of fleet maintenance services, and Greyhound bus lines. Parent corporation FirstGroup PLC, is the world's leading transportation company, serving more than 2.5 billion passengers per year throughout the UK and North America. For more information, visit www.firstgroupamerica.com.

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