Thomas Built Buses Inc. (High Point, NC) has been building school buses for over 60 years. Today it is the largest school bus manufacturer in the United States, and its Saf-T-Liner C2 one of the most advanced buses in the world.
Going into full production in late 2004, the bus is manufactured in a new 275,000-square-foot facility with a 3/4-mile-long assembly line. It was designed with extensive input from hundreds of industry professionals, including everyone from school transportation directors to drivers and mechanics. Specific innovations include a low, sloping hood for better driver visibility and recessed warning lights that are less prone to damage when the bus is in use. An ergonomic driver cockpit reduces operator fatigue, and specialized floor and interior panels resist both corrosion and graffiti.