Krapf Bus Companies expands its bus fleet by nearly two-thirds after closing a deal to acquire Birnie Bus Service. Financial terms were not disclosed.
As of last Wednesday, Krapf added 1,000 school buses, transit, para-transit and commercial motorcoaches, bringing its total fleet to over 2,500 vehicles. Krapf has expanded its operations in its home state of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia to include Birnie Bus’ territory of New York, which has increased its workforce to more than 3,500 people.
Birnie Bus, the reigning 2016 New York Contractor of the Year, also became Krapf’s largest division to serve more than 70 school districts and preschools. A spokesperson for Krapf Bus confirmed that Birnie Bus will continue to operate under the same name.
“Birnie Bus is a great bus company and a great fit for us,” said Blake Krapf, president and CEO of Krapf Bus Companies, in a statement on Friday. “They are family-owned and run like us. Their core values are much like ours. And they are widely recognized as being an excellent service provider. We are very proud to have them join the Krapf organization.”
Dale Krapf, chairman of the Krapf Board of Directors, recognized Birnie’s “strong” management, employee team, customer base and good reputation in the school bus industry.
“We expect a very bright future working together,” he added.
Both companies trace their origins back more than seven decades. George Krapf, Jr. started Krapf Bus in 1942 with two school buses. The company is now the largest school bus contractor in Pennsylvania and Delaware that operates charter buses, para-transit vehicles and transit routes in the Philadelphia area. In 1947, Martin K. Birnie started Birnie Bus with his brother-in-law Martin J. Nunn, a local undertaker, when they operated three school buses and two charter coaches.
Tim Birnie, Martin’s son, joined the business and began growing the company in 1979. The New York School Bus Contractors Association awarded Tim its “Contractor of the Year” award for 2016 last October.
“It is important to me that Birnie Bus is in good hands—including our customers, our employees and our reputation,” he added. “While I will be joining the Krapf Board of Directors in a more strategic role, I am delighted that the Krapfs will not only be taking charge, but will be taking Birnie to whole new levels of performance in the years ahead.”
