HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses recently introduced a new version of its Saf-T-Liner C2 bus design: a smooth-sided commercial bus that officials said is well suited for group transportation.

Thomas Built noted that the C2 has always been available for commercial use — the updated version is in response to customer requests. To enhance its appearance for commercial fleets, the new design does not have school bus guard rails, and it features panoramic, solid pane windows and optional coach-style recliner seating.

“We are no strangers to the commercial bus business, and we are excited to bring an updated look for the Saf-T-Liner C2 to the market,” said Ed Swaim, Thomas Built Buses C2 product manager. “There’s a real demand in the market from customers like universities, which want a modern-looking bus. The C2 is a very good value for a good-looking commercial bus. And it’s a great choice for charters.”

Pierre Bouffard, sales and marketing manager for Autobus Thomas, the company’s Quebec dealer in Canada, received one of the first updated Thomas Built commercial C2 buses as a demo model, and he reported that everyone who has seen it says, “That’s going to look good in my fleet.”

Exterior and interior design enhancements to the redesigned Saf-T-Liner C2 model make it particularly well suited for long distance commuting, tour operators, city buses, university transit, shuttle buses, church groups and sports teams, officials said.

The new C2 joins Thomas’ Saf-T-Liner HDX and EFX models, which have been offered with smooth sides and commercial windows for decades.