Thomas Built Buses is entering a new era as it moves on from its Type D product line and brings its next generation of buses to market.

Changing Production Facilities

With production of the Type D bus fully moved to the Saf-T-Liner plant in Archdale, North Carolina, the manufacturer is introducing the Saf-T-Liner EFX2. This new bus is the evolution of the Type D product line.

Thomas Built Buses says that its newly renamed Saf-T-Liner facility enables more efficient production, greater quality control, and a streamlined supply chain to ensure a more consistent and durable product. At the same time, production cycle times improve thanks to greater production flexibility.

“This launch represents the end of an era but also the beginning of a new one,” said T.J. Reed, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “With the EFX2, we are delivering a bus designed with modern advancements in safety and reliability, while leveraging the precision and efficiency of our most advanced manufacturing facility. This is the next step forward in our commitment to delivering best-in-class Type D school buses.”

Features of the EFX2

Following the success of the HDX2, the Saf-T-Liner EFX2 integrates innovations inspired by the Saf-T-Liner C2.

The EFX2 will feature a new exterior design, adopting the C2 aesthetic with updated front and rear roof caps.

Standard LED lighting is included inside and out of the vehicle, to help enhance visibility while on the road.

Saf-T-Net construction technology enhances the buses' durability and safety, integrating advanced adhesives and mechanical fasteners for increased strength, according to the manufacturer. Robotic paint application and an in-line body undercoating also improve the bus’s longevity and protect it from corrosion.

By incorporating common parts from the C2, the EFX2 boasts streamlined maintenance and reduced service complexity. Simplified wiring systems make electrical maintenance faster and more efficient.

The EFX2 advertises dependable performance with a 6.7L Cummins engine that starts at 200HP paired with an Allison 2500PTS transmission. The bus can also be customized with additional options, including air disc or heavy-duty air drum brakes and an optional 106K BTU air conditioning system.

Orders for the Saf-T-Liner EFX2 are now open, and limited production will begin in the second quarter of 2025, with full-scale production starting in the latter half of the year.