Someone stole the minibus from the company's parking lot on the weekend. (CBC)

A Calgary bus company that transports children with special needs says it will be difficult to replace one of its stolen buses.

Someone stole the vehicle from the business's parking lot early Saturday morning.

Kathy Garth, owner of D.R.E.A.M.S. Transportation, said the shuttle bus was recently purchased after two others broke down in the cold. The company didn't have time to put its logo on the bus before it was stolen, she said.

"There's car seats in there. There's different equipment for the kids, seatbelts and definitely you'd know it's for children, for sure. I just couldn't believe someone would take it," Garth told CBC News on Tuesday.

The white minibus transports children with disabilities to school, the Alberta Children's Hospital and therapy sessions, as well as transports seniors.

"My youngest son has Down syndrome and it has a special part inside our heart, that's basically why we started D.R.E.A.M.S.," said Wil Garth.

The company has been moving some regular passengers to different buses or smaller vehicles.

A new minibus will cost about $80,000 and it may take up to three months to find one, said Garth. The family-run company also has to ensure the bus is properly equipped with harnesses and a wheelchair lift.

'This makes this a particularly disturbing vehicle theft, especially given this time of year.'—Kevin Brookwell, Calgary Police Service

"It's really difficult to find this kind of bus. We have to look for buses that are equipped for what we need. They don't come along every day," said Garth.

"It takes a long time to be able to find them and get them and it's going to be difficult to replace if we have to. We're just hoping we can get that bus back."

Police said they are investigating but so far, they have no suspects.

"It does impact your life considerably when you lose your source of transportation so add that to the fact we have a group of elderly and special needs kids who rely on this, this makes this a particularly disturbing vehicle theft, especially given this time of year," said police spokesman Kevin Brookwell.

"So hopefully because it's unique, it will turn up quickly."