Snapshots — Winter, Spring, Summer 2012

TV show features Mich. contractor’s hybrid buses

The Clean Cities Success series of the public television program MotorWeek covers Dean Transportation’s four Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2e units. Director of Development Patrick Dean discusses the benefits the company has seen as a result of running the buses.

Achieving inventory efficiency

Adjusting your parts inventory to fulfill the needs of your technicians and to address the repairs that occur most will help bus maintenance and parts ordering in your shop run smoothly.

First Student adds 41 buses to Mass. fleet

Twenty-eight of the new buses designated for the Springfield School District are Thomas Built Saf-T-Liners. First Student also integrates 13 new small buses into the fleet.

Thomas Built updates Type C unit for commercial bus use

The manufacturer introduces a new version of its Saf-T-Liner C2 bus design that officials say is well suited for long distance commuting, tour operators, city buses, university transit, shuttle buses, church groups and sports teams. The bus does not have school bus guard rails, and it features panoramic, solid pane windows and optional coach-style recliner seating.

Thomas Built Buses seeks ‘Driver of the Year’

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to submit essays nominating their favorite school bus drivers for the manufacturer’s seventh annual Children’s Choice School Bus Driver of the Year essay contest. Entries must be postmarked by June 30.

Thomas Built again steps up production, staff

The school bus manufacturer adds 50 new line positions and increases production levels in response to large orders from the state of North Carolina and other customers. The company also expands its field sales and service teams, releases results of a fuel economy test and earns an environmental award.

Thomas Built recognized for environmental performance

The school bus manufacturer is named a 2011 Environmental Steward by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Among the reasons for Thomas Built receiving the award, officials say, is the High Point facility’s commitment to continue to reduce waste even after achieving its zero waste-to-landfill goal through a waste-to-energy plan.

Thomas Built to offer hands-on bus maintenance training

The school bus OEM will hold two sessions of its Thomas Built Institute this year. The first will take place at the company's High Point, N.C., facility April 24-27 and will include hands-on training covering a number of topics.

Laser cutters boost quality, efficiency at Thomas Built

The new equipment allows the school bus manufacturer to eliminate five other machines, reorganize work flow and reduce the average time it takes to fabricate parts by about 25 percent.