BREAKING NEWS: Area bus companies sold to Canadian firm

The area’s top school bus provider has been sold to a company from Canada pending federal approval.

Switzer-CARTY Transportation Services Inc. (“Switzer-CARTY”), a premier provider of home-to-school student transportation and charter services in Canada, announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Agnes Corporation, which owns Owatonna Bus, Medford Bus and Blooming Prairie Bus as well as many other locations.

The proposed transaction represents Switzer-CARTY’s first cross-border expansion into the United States market, marking a key milestone in the company’s ongoing geographic diversification strategy. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, and the status of the proposed acquisition remains pending before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) and has yet to be finalized.

Founded in 1968 by William Regan, Agnes Corporation is a respected, family-controlled student transportation operator headquartered in Owatonna. Across its 58-year history, the company has established a prominent operational footprint across eight locations in southern Minnesota and one location in northern Iowa. The company manages a fleet of approximately 350 vehicles, including school buses, shuttle buses, and motorcoaches, serving nine school district contract regions.

Regan was involved with the bus operation up until 2024 when he died at 91. His daughter, Katy Kreutter, has been operating the company for many years.

“Agnes Corporation shares our foundational commitment to safety, operational excellence, and a deep respect for drivers, staff, and school district partners,” said Dan Maradin, CEO of Switzer-CARTY Transportation. “Bringing our two organizations together allows us to combine decades of deep industry experience while maintaining the high standards and strong community trust that both companies have built.”

Upon regulatory approval, the transaction will establish a strong operational foundation for Switzer-CARTY in the United States, opening doors for further expansion into adjacent markets. Switzer-CARTY was founded in 2011.