HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses has launched a new dealer certification program called Platinum Support, and two of the school bus OEM’s dealerships have already been certified.

Platinum Support is a collaborative effort between Thomas Built Buses and its dealers that focuses on improving the customer experience.

Company officials said that the program provides rapid diagnosis, responsive turnaround and quality, consistent communication, robust parts availability and superb customer service by a highly trained staff.

Through the Platinum Support training, dealers learn to eliminate all areas of waste from day-to-day business practices, including faster vehicle assessment, reducing vehicle down time and lowering vehicle life-cycle costs to the customer.

“In meeting the criteria to become a certified Platinum Support dealer, customers can rest assured that their servicing dealer is committed to continuous improvement and to providing a service level that greatly exceeds industry standards,” said Paul Start, market growth development manager for Thomas Built Buses.

Carolina Thomas of Greensboro, North Carolina, and the Sonny Merryman dealership of Evington, Virginia, are the first two dealers to become Platinum Support certified. Thomas Built expects to have other dealers certified later this year.