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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
 Posted - 01/17/2007 : 04:03:37 AM
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I feel like the bus industry is being overtaken by the C2 buses (Thomas Safe T Liner C2)
I was in a town the other day and saw nothing but those things and wanted to run away, until I saw something and it saved my day.
A BlueBird Vision (the one with those little windows). I used to think that the BlueBird Visions were ugly- but now they are NICE buses compared to the C2 models.
Am I the only one who feels this way? Why are the Thomas C2 buses taking over? So, if you want to order a Thomas conventional it has to be a C2? That is awful. I like Thomas Built....but....
Just my honest opinion. |
Edited by - 80-RE4 on 01/17/2007 04:05:43 AM
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CPCSC_TD
Top Member
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 04:25:14 AM
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| I don't agree. You could always move far far away so you never have to see them. |
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 05:34:09 AM
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| oh NO! Don't look at my sig! |
- Ryan |
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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 05:40:22 AM
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At least someone agrees with me that they look like little bugs...i dont think moving would be a solution, they are overtaking everything....
lords47...i think an ic-re or amtran re would look a lot better in your sig. pic.  |
Edited by - 80-RE4 on 01/17/2007 05:41:33 AM |
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 05:43:38 AM
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;) My company doesn't buy them... and for good reason heheheheh
But i WILL agree... i still prefer the FS-65 |
- Ryan |
Edited by - Lords47 on 01/17/2007 05:44:37 AM |
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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 06:02:32 AM
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I don't blame your company for not buying the C2 buses.
I'm going to miss the FS 65 buses too, (i don't drive them, my bus is a FE) I just learned what they were not too long ago and now they decide to stop making them. Some other drivers told me they like the FS 65 over some other bus...I forgot what the other bus was?
The other buses they were talking about were conventionals but they had a yellow nose and the sun would reflect into their eyes. I think the FS 65 buses had the black noses so that would eliminate the sun from reflecting in their eyes...Or something along those means. |
Edited by - 80-RE4 on 01/17/2007 06:03:21 AM |
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 06:12:48 AM
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Oops... i meant my company doesn't buy Amtran RE's or IC RE's. We have plenty of C2's, or should I say ... a glorified mini-van. The pic in my sig is one of many C2's parked in our lot.
One thing I originally did NOT like, but now DO like is the hydraulic break peddle. All of our school buses have hydraulic brakes. In the FS-65 and most other school buses, the hydraulic lever is definately a pain to engage at every pickup/dropoff. The C2's have a peddle for the hyrdaulic brake, like what many cars and SUV's have. Push it with your left foot to engage, push it again to disengage. It makes student pickup/dropoff a breeze. |
- Ryan |
Edited by - Lords47 on 01/17/2007 06:14:31 AM |
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School Bus M8
Top Member
USA
617 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 06:36:27 AM
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I don't like the C2's either. I love the FS-65 though and I think the retirement of them is a big loss. We don't have c2's in our town but a neighboring town has them.
My cousin plays football for the high school around here and they are a really good team. They kicked the neighboring towns butt on the Thanksgiving game. When the neighboring town went back on their bus the kids from our town were making fun of the bus they went back on; a c2. They started saying things like "look how gay their bus looks, it just their type of bus."(you know typical rivalry comments) The kids hate the c2s around here. They think they're ugly and are always commenting on them when they see the c2 drive by. However, the comments have died down since the kids don't really pay attention anymore.
If we were to get new buses we would most likely get ic-ce's. There are not too many c2's around here. Another neighboring town used to get the FS-65's but have since just recently changed to IC's.
I preferrably would choose a new Bluebird Vision over anything else follwed by an IC-Ce. Since the Vision update I hope to maybe see some more around here. I would like to see Bluebird reclaim some of it's territory again in this area. Years ago all you basically saw in this area was Bluebird and some Thomas. Whether it was a Ford,GMC or international it was most likely mounted on a Bluebird around here. Now its mostly IC.
I think though that since the loss of the FS-65 we will be seeing many of them being replaced by IC-CE's. However, if Bluebird would update their Visions like IC updated their Ce's (higher headroom, larger, one piece windshield, I bet they would sell like hotcakes around here providing the price is right and competitive.
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 06:50:10 AM
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Agreed. The style of the C2 is aggressive and a risky move on behalf of Thomas. Though my company does have many C2's because they have been a long time customer of Thomas products, we've been buying more and more of IC products. I think that is probably the case with many companies and districts.
I CAN say with confidence that the problems we've had with the C2 are substantially LESS than the problems we've had with our IC-CE200's with the VT-365 engine. All of our C2's (and about 1/2 of our FS-65's) are equipped with the MBE engine, which in my opinion is the best engine money can buy. Its extremely reliable, powerful and some-what quiet (when compared to the CAT C7). It is far superior to any engine offered by IC, CAT or Cummins... in my opinion of course.
I guess if IC started putting the MBE in their products, then we'd be talking. Until then... |
- Ryan |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 08:35:13 AM
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There are only two or three C2s within a 10 mile radius from where I live. One of the schools nearby purchased a C2 last summer to be used for school trips only. A nearby district owns/operates their own buses and their fleet is all GMC/Blue Bird and Blue Bird Vision with the exception of one or two C2s.
quote:
The C2's have a peddle for the hyrdaulic brake, like what many cars and SUV's have. Push it with your left foot to engage, push it again to disengage. It makes student pickup/dropoff a breeze.
I have not driven a C2 on a route, so I am not sure if I would like that parking brake pedal set-up. I would imagine it's better than the lever. However, I would think the push/pull parking brake that IC uses on their hydraulic-equipped buses is even easier to use than the pedal on the C2s. |
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 08:38:49 AM
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quote:
However, I would think the push/pull parking brake that IC uses on their hydraulic-equipped buses is even easier to use than the pedal on the C2s.
You would think correct. Also, the layout of the controls is much more user-friendly and ergonomically correct in an IC vs. C2. |
- Ryan |
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SchoolBusFan
Top Member
USA
1769 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 11:58:17 AM
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| For me I'd be running away from the looks of the IC RE, jk. I do like Thomas' buses better; like most I prefer the previous conventional. The only Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 I saw in person was in Las Vegas; a white activity bus in a private school parking lot. If there are problems with them mechanically, hopefully they're solved soon. |
Check out my new Yahoo group:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ccsdschoolbuszone/
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Bus9709
Top Member
USA
751 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 12:04:30 PM
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What?......C2s are a good thing! Lol! And I've got three C2 posters on the wall in my room.  |
Edited by - Bus9709 on 01/17/2007 12:07:45 PM |
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IC RE 1629
Top Member
United States
5097 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 1:16:40 PM
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| I'd actually like to see a few more in this area. I know of less then 30 C2's within 100 miles of where I am. That's not too many if you think about it. |
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Jake
Top Member
USA
3527 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 2:32:24 PM
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I've only seen one C2 in person in my whole life. Ah las, better than the CE's i guess.
~Jake~ |
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School Bus M8
Top Member
USA
617 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 2:46:41 PM
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| The 2009 BB Vision that Jarod made on his site looks like it would be an awesome bus if Bluebird actually went foward with it. |
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78fordwayne
Top Member
USA
2868 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 3:49:27 PM
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I still have not seen a C2 in person. We are being over runed by CEs  |
Robert B.
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BBInt.10
Top Member
USA
1042 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 4:53:25 PM
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| I believe C2's were just approved by the CT DMV for use in this state, so I'll probably start to see some more of them soon. I've seen two in this state so far, one just last week. So Amtran, if you want to move to an area that's almost C2-Free, venture on down to CT. I'm not a huge fan of them basically because when I'm driving a bus, I like to feel like I'm driving a bus, not a "glorified mini van", as someone else put it. I like to sit high, swing wide, and use my arm rather than my finger to open the door. These new buses make things too easy on the driver. For me, if there isn't a challenge every now and then, the job gets a little boring. I drive an '05 IC CE, however I always take one of our '93 Blue Birds on trips whenever I can, and would switch permanently to one of these buses for my route if I could. But that's just me. |
If all your problems are behind you... you must be a school bus driver. |
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Jim
Top Member
USA
581 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 4:56:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by WV108
Come on over to our county. We've already got 32 of them. You'll get to see the ridiculously tall seat backs that WV requires as of this year.
I forgot to check those out the day I was there. But I'm sure the kids up your way are angels and you don't have to worry about what they are doing down in the seats! |
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 5:14:21 PM
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quote:
You would think correct. Also, the layout of the controls is much more user-friendly and ergonomically correct in an IC vs. C2.
I would have to agree with you on that one. I prefer the "wrap-around" design of the IC CE driver's area.
quote:
For me I'd be running away from the looks of the IC RE, jk. I do like Thomas' buses better; like most I prefer the previous conventional.
If CCSD operated some IC REs, perhaps you'd like 'em more. If they had some IC REs, with their specs, I would have to consider relocating! |
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Gini
Top Member
USA
1249 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 6:31:13 PM
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| the only not-ugly C2 i've seen is Loudoun Cos shorty C2. the shorter length balanced out that skinny width. looked ok. as for the others, blech! |
1Peter 1:3 |
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722
Senior Member
United States
129 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 7:20:27 PM
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We have several C2's with MB906 engines. Other than a few minor adjustments that have been adjusted on site by the dealer, the bodies have been trouble free. As for the Mercedes engine, they have been flawless.
We have them in 54-passenger with lift, 77-passenger and 77-passenger with lift. Drivers report that they can put them anywhere that they could put thier transit style bus (and in some places they could'nt). The drivers like the smooth ride, the performance of the bus (hill climbing and ablity to hold a steady speed on the highway) Just different looking at first.
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Edited by - 722 on 01/17/2007 7:33:07 PM |
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NWCROWN
Advanced Member
USA
461 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 10:51:55 PM
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| I have yet to see a C2 in Southwest Washington, but have recently seen a few Visions. Southwest Washington as a whole is mostly moving to transit-style buses. |
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ICfan
Top Member
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 06:02:41 AM
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| Dave - the company thats runs Thomaston and Plymouth has one c2, I know a driver from Thomaston who lives in Torrington who does not like the c2 at all. I see more CE and BB Int. than anyhting in CT, hopfully we might see some Vision buses! |
Tyler Roys Weatherman and International Fan,
http://www.freewebs.com/thectschoolbusyard |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 06:41:23 AM
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| AmTran, don't move to NY. There are over 300 C2s within a 50 mile radius of my house! |
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IC RE 1629
Top Member
United States
5097 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 07:09:41 AM
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| What states would you say that the C2 is most popular in? |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 07:15:02 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by IC RE 1629
What states would you say that the C2 is most popular in?
I believe NC, SC, FL, and NY have the highest numbers of C2's at this point. |
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CPCSC_TD
Top Member
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 11:45:55 AM
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| Southeast Michigan has a high volume of the c2's. They have their popularity coast to coast just like the other manufacturers. |
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ICfan
Top Member
USA
1251 Posts |
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Bus9709
Top Member
USA
751 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 12:04:15 PM
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| Florida? You better believe it. Lol. My county probably bought around 24 C2s for the 05-06 school year. Then we bought another batch for this year. Lol! |
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kentuckynascar1
Advanced Member
USA
489 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 12:04:17 PM
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| I have seen only one C2-a Mulenburg Co. bus in Lexington, so they are in KY |
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BusFreak
Top Member
USA
798 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 1:14:45 PM
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| Does anyone have a picture of a North Carolina SCHOOL BUS spec C2? Ive seen the activity buses, but not a school bus yet. |
= |
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03CV200
Top Member
United States
740 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 3:03:08 PM
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| C2's are new to my district, we only have 3 out of about 50 buses. I hated them at first, but after riding on one, and looking at more of them up close, they are actually growing on me. In response to the hydraulic brake lever, out of the total 13yrs. that I rode a bus (many different drivers over the years), ony ONE (1) driver ever engaged the parking brake at every pickup/drop-off. However, as the year went on, he did it less and less until he gave it up all together. |
-Dave |
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 6:57:35 PM
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Bus9709,
Are you familiar with any of the Martin District Schools buses? If so what do they mostly run in their fleet?
Kevin |
Your Child's Safety is Our Business |
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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 7:42:34 PM
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Oh look, another C2...
They look like ant eaters. My friend and I think so, with their snouty noses.
Attn: Thomas C2's belong in space.
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Lords47
Top Member
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 05:50:01 AM
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| Gotta admit.. thats a pretty funny picture. |
- Ryan |
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Topic |
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There are too many C2 buses
