Thomas Built Delivers 100,000th Saf-T-Liner C2 School Bus
Montgomery County (Va.) Public Schools acquires the landmark C2. Thomas Built launched the model in 2004 with a new production facility.
Caley Edgerly (left) of Thomas Built Buses and Floyd Merryman (right) of the Sonny Merryman dealership present the 100,000th Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus to Mark Miear of Montgomery County (Va.) Public Schools.
Caley Edgerly (left) of Thomas Built Buses and Floyd Merryman (right) of the Sonny Merryman dealership present the 100,000th Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus to Mark Miear of Montgomery County (Va.) Public Schools.
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Thomas Built Buses celebrated a milestone last week with the delivery of its 100,000th Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus.
Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, presented the keys to the landmark C2 to Mark Miear, superintendent of Montgomery County (Va.) Public Schools. The presentation took place outside Lane Stadium on the campus of Virginia Tech on June 5.
Attending the event were Montgomery County Public Schools administrators, school bus drivers, technicians, and school board members, along with representatives from Thomas Built Buses, local dealer Sonny Merryman, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.
“This is a historic day for Thomas Built Buses,” Edgerly said. “Montgomery County Public Schools is a valued Thomas Built customer. I am absolutely thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with them today.”
Thomas Built launched the Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus in 2004. The OEM also created a new manufacturing facility specifically to produce the new Type C bus.
Since the C2’s debut 14 years ago, Thomas Built has introduced new features for the bus, including the BusWise suite of technologies and telematics systems.
“These new smart buses can communicate directly with our technicians and staff,” said Eddie Walters, director of transportation for Montgomery County Public Schools. “If the bus is out on a route and a check engine light or other service issue arises, we are notified in real time so we’re prepared to address the concern immediately when the bus returns back to the shop. It really increases our efficiency and reduces the time buses are down for repair.”
The presentation of the 100,000th C2 school bus took place outside Lane Stadium on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Also, the Saf-T-Liner C2 is now available in diesel, propane, and compressed natural gas options, and it will be available in all-electric in 2019.
Montgomery County Public Schools transports 9,700 students daily. The district’s fleet is composed of about 130 school buses, including 15 new Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 units.
Montgomery County Public Schools purchased the milestone C2 through the Sonny Merryman dealership.
“The production of Thomas Built’s 100,000th C2 speaks to the quality, durability, and popularity of Thomas Built’s products,” said Floyd Merryman, president and CEO of Sonny Merryman. “We are proud to be a Thomas Built dealer and to be a part of this momentous day with our friends at Montgomery Public Schools.”
More Management
Zum Secures Continued Financing Support for School Bus Expansion
Generate Private Credit has financed approximately $75 million in school bus deployments across three states, supporting more than 500 buses as Zum expands across the county.
Read More →
Beyond Discipline: A Different Approach to Student Behavior on the Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements. Here’s how it worked. The Route is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
A Dean of Transportation's Different Approach to Student Behavior on the School Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements on the bus. Here’s how it worked.
Read More →
Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →
Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →