RIVER VALLEY METRO MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT (KANKAKEE, IL)RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST TRANSIT

First Transit, Inc. has been awarded a renewal of its contract to operate and maintain the River Valley Metro transit and complementary ADA services in Kankakee, IL. River Valley Metro awarded First Transit a multi-year renewal of its contract at the Mass Transit Board meeting on Tuesday, March 26.

                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2002
Contact: Brian Sullivan
National Director of Marketing
Telephone: 513.684.8719
Email: Brian.Sullivan@firstgroupamerica.com
www.firsttransit.com

RIVER VALLEY METRO MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT (KANKAKEE, IL)
RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST TRANSIT

Cincinnati, OH -- First Transit, Inc. has been awarded a renewal of its contract to operate and maintain the River Valley Metro transit and complementary ADA services in Kankakee, IL. River Valley Metro awarded First Transit a multi-year renewal of its contract at the Mass Transit Board meeting on Tuesday, March 26.

This service has been operated by Cincinnati-based First Transit since 1998 and has since seen incredible growth. In fact, the agency posted a remarkable 136.7% increase in ridership in 2000 and was named one of the top 10 fastest growing transit operations by Metro Magazine in 2001. With this renewal contract, First Transit and River Valley Metro will prepare for future expansion by moving into a larger facility with additional space for indoor vehicle storage and maintenance activities.

Michael Prior, Managing Director of River Valley Metro, said I am very pleased that the Board has decided to renew the contract with First Transit. It was clear throughout the bidding process that First Transit wanted to continue on as our partner, and I am relieved that we can continue to work together as our transit services continue to grow and expand."

Rich Clair, President of First Transit, remarked, We are extremely pleased to continue our relationship with River Valley Metro. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to work with the Transit District as the services expand."

This service currently operates 13 vehicles with plans to expand service over the next several years.

First Transit, a subsidiary of FirstGroup America, Inc., is a leading provider of public transit contracting and management services in the United States, operating and managing more than 70 systems in 30 states, and serving more than 100 transit authorities, state departments of transportation, federal agencies, municipal organizations, and private companies. First Transit employs more than 6,000 people including general managers, dispatchers, drivers, and mechanics nationwide. As the second largest provider of transit contracting services in the United States, First Transit provides high quality, efficient and seamless operations of transit services.

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