Austin Transportation, which held the contract for the Austin Public Schools’ buses, finalized a sale to Palmer Bus Service on Dec. 10.

While the Mankato company officially began operating Austin Transportation on Oct. 1, the sale wasn’t finalized until Dec. 10.

Floyd Palmer, CEO of Palmer Bus Service said former Austin Transportation owner Elizabeth Crumb decided to sell the company because she planned to retire.

Along with the sale, Palmer Bus Service picked up more than 50 vehicles in the sale. Palmer also said he planned to keep all the former Austin Transportation employees — about 75.

“It’s running as it did before. No change,” Palmer said.

Heather Crumb, a former Austin Transportation employee, is now manager of the Palmer Bus Service office in Austin.

On Monday, the Austin School Board transferred their contracts with Austin Transportation to Palmer Bus Service.

Mark Stotts, director of finance and operation, said service the transition has been smooth, and the district hardly noticed the change.

“Basically right now it hasn’t had any effect at all,” Stotts said.

When a transfer like this takes place, the board can agree to transfer for the rest of the contract, which expires with the end of the school year in June of 2010.

After the contract is up, the school district can renegotiate a new contract with Palmer Bus Service, or they could choose to accept bids from other companies.

Palmer, whose company has contracts with about 20 school districts in Minnesota, said he’s been very happy with Austin Public Schools, the city and the support he’s had during the transition.