Thomas Built Buses Honors Top Dealers of 2020
The school bus manufacturer names Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc. of Hopkins, South Carolina, as the company's 2020 Dealer of the Year and President’s Club and President’s Club Platinum award winners.

Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc. of Hopkins, South Carolina, is named Thomas Built Buses 2020 Dealer of the Year. The dealership reportedly played a key role in providing clean-diesel engine technology to its customers via the Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines. Shown here is the school bus manufacturer’s Saf-T-Liner C2, which is equipped with the Detroit DD5 engine.
File photo courtesy Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses (TBB) recently recognized the winners of its 2020 Dealer of the Year, President’s Club, and President’s Club Platinum awards.
The school bus manufacturer honored this year’s winners during a virtual awards program held earlier this month, according to a news release from Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), the parent company of TBB.
Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc., a full-service dealer offering sales, parts, and vehicle service based in Hopkins, South Carolina, was named the company’s 2020 Dealer of the Year.
“2020 was a rough year, but Robert Coleman and his team at Interstate Transportation provided Thomas Built Buses a simply dominating sales strategy and really went above and beyond for their customers,” said Jed Routh, vice president of sales, marketing, and service at TBB.
Interstate Transportation Equipment, according to DTNA, played a key role in providing clean-diesel engine technology to its customers via the Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines as well as educating state agencies and customers on electric vehicle conversion. The dealership reportedly also promoted various safety technologies to protect students in and out of the school bus.
“They really have their customers’ best interests in mind and do whatever it takes to ensure the best school bus for students and for the larger community,” Routh added in DTNA’s news release. “Plus, they achieved a world-class Net Promoter score and continue to earn strong marks from their customers for their service and support.”
Dealerships that received TBB’s President’s Club and President’s Club Platinum awards were recognized based on their achievement of key performance indicators this year, according to DTNA. To qualify as the Dealer of the Year in a specific region, a dealer must reach the President’s Club Platinum level.
Here is the full list of TBB’s 2020 dealer award winners:
Dealer of the Year
Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc., Hopkins, South Carolina
Dealer of the Year Regional Winners
Midwest Region: Kerlin Bus Sales and Leasing Inc., Silver Lake, Indiana
Northeast Region: New England Transit Sales Inc., Pocasset, Massachusetts
Southeast Region: Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc., Hopkins, South Carolina
Southern Region: Sonny Merryman Inc., Evington, Virginia
Western Region: BusWest – Southern California, Carson, California
President’s Club Platinum
American Bus Sales and Service, Annapolis, Maryland
Autobus Thomas, Drummondville, Quebec
BusWest – Southern California, Carson, California
Carolina Thomas LLC, Greensboro, North Carolina
H.A. DeHart and Son Inc., Thorofare, New Jersey
Interstate Transportation Equipment Inc., Hopkins, South Carolina
Kerlin Bus Sales and Leasing Inc., Silver Lake, Indiana
Matthews Buses Inc., Ballston Spa, New York
Matthews Bus Alliance Inc., Orlando, Florida
Mid-South Bus Center, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
NESCO Bus, Bay Shore, New York
New England Transit Sales Inc., Pocasset, Massachusetts
Rohrer Enterprises Inc., Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Sonny Merryman Inc., Evington, Virginia
Transportation South Inc., Pelham, Alabama
W.C. Cressey and Son Inc., Kennebunk, Maine
President’s Club
Hoekstra Transportation Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Matheny Motor Truck Co., Mineral Wells, West Virginia
Midwest Bus Sales Inc., Crawford, Arkansas
Midwest Bus Sales Inc., Bonner Spring, Kansas
Thomas Bus Sales of Georgia, Forest Park, Georgia
More Management

What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer
Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.
Read More →
School Bus Logistics Adds 3 Data Analysts, Expands Routing Capabilities
Three new data analysts and a BusRight certification bring an added layer of support to the routing services districts already use.
Read More →
Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit
Did you know nearly 40% of school districts utilize a private contractor to serve their transportation needs? Explore why more school leaders are turning to contracted transportation services, and how outsourcing can create meaningful value without sacrificing control. Discover the practical benefits of a transportation services platform that provides flexibility with coordination.
Read More →
EverDriven Debuts TripCentral as New District Transportation Portal
The new transportation management hub takes over the district portal to power trip planning, operations, visibility, and intelligence for school district transportation needs.
Read More →
Lessons Learned from 4 Decades in Transportation: 5 Questions with Craig Beaver
Sit down with longtime transportation leader Craig Beaver moments before he retires, as he reflects on his career leading up to his role at Beaverton School District in Oregon and the secrets to leading great teams.
Read More →
BusRight Honors Texas Driver With Inaugural Behind The Wheel Award
Selected from more than 300 nominations, Lawson Crook earned BusRight’s inaugural award for his dedication to students and safety.
Read More →Craig Beaver’s Final Stop: Lessons from 43 Years in Transportation
After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District director Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →What 43 Years in Transportation Taught Craig Beaver About Leadership
After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District admin Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next.
Read More →
ASTP's Tod Eskra Named an Entrepreneur of the Year
The award from Ernst & Young honors visionary leadership behind one of America's fastest-growing student transportation contracting companies.
Read More →
Drivers and Technicians: Help Benchmark Today's School Bus Manufacturers
If you've spent time behind the wheel or under the hood, we want to hear your perspective on the buses you know best.
Read More →



