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Thomas Built Buses

Thomas Built Buses
Company nameThomas Built Buses
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryBus manufacturing
PredecessorPerley A. Thomas Car Works (1916)
Founded1972 (as Thomas Built Buses, Inc.)
Headquarters1408 Courtesy Road
High Point, North Carolina, 27260
United States
Area servedNorth America
Key peopleKelley Platt
President and CEO
ProductsSchool buses
Commercial buses
Specialty Vehicles
Production output 15,000 vehicles/ year
Employees1,600+
ParentDaimler Trucks North America, LLC
Portland, Oregon
DivisionsThomas Dennis Company LLC (defunct)

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Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a bus manufacturer based in High Point, North Carolina, United States and a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. Thomas produces school buses, activity buses/MFSAB (Multi-Function School Activity Buses), and commercial buses; both small and full-size buses are produced.

Thomas traces its roots to 1916, when it was incorporated as the Perley A. Thomas Car Works in High Point, North Carolina. The company specialized in the manufacture of electric streetcars; as buses superseded them in the middle of the 20th century, Thomas switched to bus production (primairly school buses). By the 1970s, Thomas Car Works had become one of the dominant school bus manufacturers in North America. In 1972, the company reorganized, adapting its current name, Thomas Built Buses.

Thomas Built Buses Video

This is a slideshow of my favorite body make of school buses, Thomas Built Buses. Pictures thanks to: Josh's School Bus Gallery www.schoolbus.lunarpages.com Bus Explorer.com busexplorer.com and eBay.
1.73 min. | 4.21 user rating		 Pictures & Video, Made By Thomas Built Buses, By theKing4720 Pictures & Video of the Model was by me. Comment & Rate. INFO, Thomas Bulit buses, North America's largest builder of school buses, has redesigned the type C school bus to meet the rigorous demands of pupil transportation. This clean sheet design was conceived with input from customer focus groups and exhaustive market surveys. The C2's bonded curved windshield, "A" pillar windows and low proflie hood provide the driver with an outstanding view of the roadway, and passenger loading area. The cockpit was designed for driver comfort, with ergonomics that have set a new industry standard. The dash features soft touch non-glare materials and easy to read switches and gauges. Thomas has revolutionized the school bus assembly process by attching the exterior steel sheets to a welded steel framework with structural adhesives and self piercing rivets to enhance body strength, durability and passenger protection. The body and chassis share an integrated, mulitiplexed wiring network that is reliable and programmable.
3.12 min. | 3.83 user rating		 Love these Thomas Buses with the transit style body. This one has a CAT diesel engine.
0.97 min. | 4.38 user rating		 "Fall Out Boy-Thnks fr th Mmrs", sound recording administered by: UMG. This is a tribute to the work horse of Thomas's Bus Fleet the Thomas Conventional FS-65.
3.93 min. | 3.90 user rating		 This bus is from Oconee South Carolina... I enjoy taking pictures of different views of the buses... I will upload more with other buses. I hope you enjoy!
2.02 min. | 4.33 user rating
I missed a few things here. I will do a complete pre-trip when its warmer out in the spring Year: Built 2008 - 2009 MY Engine: Cummins ISB 6.7 w/ 2007 emissions Transmission: Alison 2500 w/ over drive Miles: ~57000
6.08 min. | 5.0 user rating		 c2 freightliner
1.18 min. | 3.66 user rating		 Check out more of this bus at www.nwbus.com where you'll find lot's more great inventory! This Thomas Saf-T-Liner bus is a whole lot different than your typical Saf-T-Liner...It's not a school bus by any means! This bus has high back seating that is spacious and comfortable. There is also an absolutely huge rear luggage area that can accomodate just about anything! This bus is also equipped with A to keep all on board cool, as well as front and rear heat for the cold months. The driver stays comfortable with the air ride drivers seat and everything in clear view with power mirrors. 2004 Thomas Saf-T-Liner RE 26 Passenger Commercial Style Bus w/ Rear Luggage Bus Manufacturer and Model: Thomas Saf-T-Liner Year: 2004 Engine:CAT 3126 Turbo Charged Diesel Engine Transmission: Allison 2000 5 Speed Automatic Transmission Brakes: Air Brakes Mileage: 98661 Passenger Entry Door: Air Powered Passenger Entry Door Passenger Capacity: 26 Passengers Heat: Driver & Passenger A/C: Driver & Passenger A/C Options: AM/FM Cassette Power Heated Mirrors Air Ride Drivers Seat PA System Passenger A/C Seatbelts Tour Style Windows w/ T-Sliders Extra Large Capacity Rear Luggage - you could have a sleeper back here! Please call us at 1-800-231-7099 with any questions about this or any bus on our website. If you are traveling in from out of town, we are happy to pick you up at the airport or your hotel. If you would like some help with travel arrangements we can make recommendations. All buses listed <b>...</b>
4.50 min. | 5.0 user rating		 As of July 2010, Durham School Services serves as the school bus provider for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Much of their fleet are Thomas Built Buses. Here we see a Thomas Saf T Liner HDX.
0.30 min. | 5.0 user rating		 Download the TruckerNet.com app from your iPhone, Android or Blackberry for 24/7 driver support, including: roadside assistance, service center information and special offers. TruckerNet provides quick and direct access to more than 1000 locations throughout the US and Canada including Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses dealers, Detroit Diesel distributors and TravelCenters of America and Petro. Visit your phone's app store or visit www.truckernet.com for more information and to download the app. Brought to you by: Freightliner, Western Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, Sterling Trucks & Detroit Diesel.
3.73 min. | 5.0 user rating

Latest News : Thomas Built Buses : Tweet this RSS

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Board opposes elected superintendent, state-mandated start date - The Tennessean Tweet this news
The Tennessean--The board approved 4-1 the purchase of the five -Thomas Built buses- from Murfreesboro-based Mid-South Bus Center at a cost of $88490 each. Haley voted no. The school system, which has 87 buses in its fleet, received two bids and Mid-South - Date : Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:17:21 GMT+00:00
Some Thomas Built School Buses in Non-Compliance with FMVSS 110, 120 - School Transportation News Tweet this news
School Transportation News---Thomas Built Buses- said more than 6300 school buses were manufactured with an incorrect tire load specification. Owners of the Type C Conventional, FS-65, Saf-T-Liner C2 and Minotaur buses model year 2000 through 2009 were ex - Date : Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:32:18 GMT+00:00
Nominate your favorite school bus driver - Reno Gazette-Journal Tweet this news
Reno Gazette-Journal--“Children's Choice School Bus Driver of the Year,” an annual contest sponsored by -Thomas Built Buses-,” is encouraging students to nominate their favorite bus driver who has made a difference by being courteous, volunteer - Date : Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:38:11 GMT+00:00
Roundup: Advanced EGR or SCR to Meet Emissions Requirements? - School Transportation News (blog) Tweet this news
School Transportation News (blog)---...- than treating the emissions at the tailpipe with urea, or diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), the method known as Selective Catalyist Reduction (SCR) that is currently used by competitors Blue Bird and -Thomas Built Buses- - Date : Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:31:47 GMT+00:00
Alternative Fuels - School Transportation News Tweet this news
School Transportation News--The three manufacturers of large school buses (Blue Bird Corporation, IC Bus and -Thomas Built Buses-) all offer CNG options, and a fourth manufacturer (Starcraft) has said it would offer a CNG Tye A school bus in 2011. Meanwhi - Date : Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:27:15 GMT+00:00
Removing the Waste from School Bus Operations - School Transportation News (blog) Tweet this news
School Transportation News (blog)--This month, -Thomas Built Buses- announced it was presumably the first school bus manufacturer to achieve "Zero-Waste-to-Landfill" operations status. It's a "visionary goal," acco - Date : Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:15 GMT+00:00
Thomas Built Buses Takes Another Step Towards Greener Operations - School Transportation News Tweet this news
School Transportation News--“We are delighted to be starting the new year with a literal 'clean slate',” said Kelley Platt, president and CEO of -Thomas Built Buses-. “At Thomas, we are committed to building quality buses, and because it i - Date : Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:13:21 GMT+00:00
Thomas Achieves Zero-Waste-to-Landfill - Trailer/Body Builders Tweet this news
Trailer/Body Builders---Thomas Built Buses- says it has become the first school bus manufacturer to achieve Zero-Waste-to-Landfill operations, which means that everything received or produced by the company is used, reused, recycled or sold, and nothing i - Date : Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:33:12 GMT+00:00
Thomas Saf-T-Liners Recalled to Fix Engine Shutdown Problem - School Transportation News Tweet this news
School Transportation News---Thomas Built Buses- announced it is recalling model-year 2008 and 2009 Saf-T-Liner C2 and Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses with EPA-compliant 2007 MBE 900 Detroit Diesel engines because the engine software may not react properly w - Date : Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:22:03 GMT+00:00
Thomas Announces 2011 Essay Contest - School Transportation News Tweet this news
School Transportation News---Thomas Built Buses- opens the 2011 Children's Choice School Bus Driver of the Year essay contest to submissions. Started in 2006 in celebration of Thomas' 90th anniversary, the essay contest gives students a chance t - Date : Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:26:35 GMT+00:00

Former Models :
Thomas Built Buses, Inc. Timeline
Bus Type 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
'72 '73 '74 '75 '76 '77 '78 '79 '80 '81 '82 '83 '84 '85 '86 '87 '88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11
Type A Minotour
MyBus
Type B Mighty Mite
Type C Conventional
Thomas/Freightliner FS-65
Saf-T-Liner C2
Vista Vista
Type D Saf-T-Liner EF/ER Saf-T-Liner ER
Saf-T-Liner MVP EF/Saf-T-Liner EF
Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Saf-T-Liner HD Saf-T-Liner HDX
All Star EF

Daimler AG

CarsMaybach * Mercedes-Benz * Mercedes-AMG * Smart
TrucksDetroit Diesel * Freightliner * Master Motors * Mercedes-Benz * Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus * Sterling Trucks * Western Star
BusesMaster Motors * Mercedes Benz * Orion * Setra/Evobus * Thomas
VansMercedes-Benz
Holdings inMaster Motors (80%) * Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (85%) * Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (50.1%) * Mercedes GP (45.1%)
EADS (22.41%) * Tognum (22.3%) * Tesla Motors (10%) * Tata Motors (7%) * Kamaz (10%)

North American bus builders

ActiveAdvanced Bus Industries * Blue Bird Corporation * Champion Bus Incorporated * Coach and Equipment * Collins Bus Corporation * DesignLine Corporation * DINA S.A. * Dupont Industries * Eagle Bus * ElDorado National * Federal Coach * Ford Motor Company * Glaval Bus * Gillig * Girardin Minibus * Goshen Coach * IC Bus * Motor Coach Industries * North American Bus Industries * New Flyer Industries * Nova Bus * Optima Bus Corporation * Orion International * Prevost Car * Setra * Stallion Bus Industries * Starcraft Bus * Thomas Built Buses * Trans Tech * Trident Bus Industries
DefunctAerocoach * AM General * AmTran * Beck * Canadian Car and Foundry * Carpenter Body Company * Crown Coach Corporation * Fageol * Fifth Avenue Bus Company * Flxible * General Motors Corporation (buses)/General Motors Diesel Division * Kenworth * Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil * Mack Trucks * Millennium Transit Services * Neoplan USA * Superior Coach Company * Transportation Manufacturing Corporation * Twin Coach * U.S. Bus Corporation * Ward * Wayne Corporation * Yellow Coach

Thomas Built Buses school bus product lineup

Type AMinotour
Type BMighty Mite (out of production)
Type CSaf-T-Liner C2
Vista (out of production)
Conventional (out of production)
FS-65 (out of production)
Type DSaf-T-Liner HDX
Saf-T-Liner EF
Saf-T-Liner ER (out of production)
Saf-T-Liner MVP EF/ER (out of production)

North American School bus manufacturers

Active Manufacturers |Blue Bird Corporation * Collins Industries (Collins, Mid Bus, Corbeil) * Girardin Minibus * IC Bus * Starcraft Bus * Thomas Built Buses, Inc * Trans Tech |list3style=background:#ddf; |Defunct Manufacturers (Including date of closure) |
2000sCarpenter Industries, Inc (2001) * American Transportation Corporation (AmTran) (2002) * Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil (2008) * Liberty Bus (2005) * U.S. Bus Corporation
1990sCoach and Equipment Manufacturing * Crown Coach Corporation (1991) * Gillig Corporation (1993) * Mid Bus (1998) * TAM-USA (1991) * Wayne Corporation (1992) * Wayne Wheeled Vehicles (1995)
1980sWard Body Works (1980) * New Bus Company (1989) * Superior Coach Company (1985)
1970sNorthern Coach * Perley A. Thomas Car Works (1972)
1960sHackney Brothers Body Company (1966)
1950sKenworth-Pacific (1957)
Blue Bird Corporation * Collins Industries (Collins, Mid Bus, Corbeil) * Girardin Minibus * IC Bus * Starcraft Bus * Thomas Built Buses, Inc * Trans Tech |list3style=background:#ddf; |Defunct Manufacturers (Including date of closure) |
2000sCarpenter Industries, Inc (2001) * American Transportation Corporation (AmTran) (2002) * Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil (2008) * Liberty Bus (2005) * U.S. Bus Corporation
1990sCoach and Equipment Manufacturing * Crown Coach Corporation (1991) * Gillig Corporation (1993) * Mid Bus (1998) * TAM-USA (1991) * Wayne Corporation (1992) * Wayne Wheeled Vehicles (1995)
1980sWard Body Works (1980) * New Bus Company (1989) * Superior Coach Company (1985)
1970sNorthern Coach * Perley A. Thomas Car Works (1972)
1960sHackney Brothers Body Company (1966)
1950sKenworth-Pacific (1957)
Defunct Manufacturers (Including date of closure) |
2000sCarpenter Industries, Inc (2001) * American Transportation Corporation (AmTran) (2002) * Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil (2008) * Liberty Bus (2005) * U.S. Bus Corporation
1990sCoach and Equipment Manufacturing * Crown Coach Corporation (1991) * Gillig Corporation (1993) * Mid Bus (1998) * TAM-USA (1991) * Wayne Corporation (1992) * Wayne Wheeled Vehicles (1995)
1980sWard Body Works (1980) * New Bus Company (1989) * Superior Coach Company (1985)
1970sNorthern Coach * Perley A. Thomas Car Works (1972)
1960sHackney Brothers Body Company (1966)
1950sKenworth-Pacific (1957)
2000sCarpenter Industries, Inc (2001) * American Transportation Corporation (AmTran) (2002) * Les Enterprises Michel Corbeil (2008) * Liberty Bus (2005) * U.S. Bus Corporation
1990sCoach and Equipment Manufacturing * Crown Coach Corporation (1991) * Gillig Corporation (1993) * Mid Bus (1998) * TAM-USA (1991) * Wayne Corporation (1992) * Wayne Wheeled Vehicles (1995)
1980sWard Body Works (1980) * New Bus Company (1989) * Superior Coach Company (1985)
1970sNorthern Coach * Perley A. Thomas Car Works (1972)
1960sHackney Brothers Body Company (1966)
1950sKenworth-Pacific (1957)



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