School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

by SBF Staff
May 11, 2021
Thomas Built Buses Honors Top Dealers of 2020

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

3 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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

Ad Loading...

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

thumbnail for the route season 2 episode 9 featuring photos of bret brooks and amanda huggett
ManagementSeptember 15, 2026

How to Build a Better Driver Training Program

Ready to boost up your school bus instructor training? Here’s how to pick the right talent and improve recruitment, retention, and safety.

Read More →
Catalyst Mobility: Building Clean Transportation Together
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility

The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.

Read More →
School bus driver training graphic featuring a group gathered around a yellow school bus, with text reading, “Tips for Selecting Superb School Bus Driver Instructors.”
Managementby Amanda HuggettSeptember 14, 2026

What Makes a Great School Bus Driver Trainer?

Choosing the right school bus driver trainer takes more than experience. Learn six keys to selecting and developing trainers and evaluating program effectiveness.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Compton Unified School District transportation staff stand between two yellow school buses, including a small bus and a full-size conventional bus.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 11, 2026

School Bus Contractors Expand Through New Deals, Acquisitions & Partnerships

STA's Canadian division acquires Ontario-based G&L Stevenson Transport while Durham School Services adds a new district contract in California, First Student adds a New Jersey contract, and Minnesota Coaches acquires Halo Transportation.

Read More →
A line up of school buses with one out front of the group.
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 7, 2026

Logan Bus Company Rolls Out AI Phone System for NYC School Bus Families

A summer pilot found that AI agents could handle most routine calls, freeing up time for customer service staff to focus on emergencies and complex family concerns.

Read More →
Graphic that reads “What I Learned About Leadership” over photos of school transportation professionals participating in discussions and networking at the TAPT leadership event.
ManagementSeptember 4, 2026

From Intent to Impact: What I Learned About Leadership from TAPT

A Texas transportation supervisor shares lessons on self-awareness, accountability, managing stress and building trust — and why investing in leadership development matters at every stage of your career.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic announcing the 2026 NAPT Award Winners, featuring the National Association for Pupil Transportation logo on a blue background with gold stars.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseSeptember 3, 2026

NAPT Names 2026 Award Recipients, Hall of Fame Inductee

Who earned national recognition for their work in student transportation? This year, NAPT named five recipients of its 2026 awards for service, safety, and leadership, plus its newest Hall of Famer.

Read More →
Zonar Cover for White Paper Survey Results for 2026 State of Student Transportation
SponsoredSeptember 2, 2026

2026 State of Student Transportation Report

Driver shortages. Rising costs. Growing safety expectations. More data, but not enough time to act on it. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report reveals what transportation leaders say is putting the most pressure on their operations—and where they’re investing next. See how your priorities compare.

Read More →
Graphic reading “Managing Others’ Anger: Keeping Your Cool When Tempers Are High,” alongside a red balloon with an angry face against a stormy background.
Managementby Amanda HuggettSeptember 1, 2026

How to De-Escalate an Angry Person: 5 Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict

What makes emotions run high, and how should you handle an angry colleague or parent? Follow these steps for staying calm, listening, showing empathy, and resolving conflict.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of happy school children exiting their school bus
SponsoredSeptember 1, 2026

What Readiness Looks Like This School Year

Learn about the challenges shaping the 2026–2027 school year, from persistent driver shortages and budget pressure to technology and readiness gaps. See how school districts are responding and adapting in Zonar’s 2026 Back-to-School Readiness Report.

Read More →