In a move to increase visibility, the windshield was enlarged and reconfigured to a 2-piece curved configuration. On the outside, the front roofcap was completely redesigned, fairing in the front warning lights the "School Bus" lettering was changed to a reflective decal. Serving as the replacement for the Saf-T-Liner ER and WestCoastER, the HD/HDX would use much of the same body, with the exception of the drivers' compartment forward. In 2001, Thomas introduced its current generation of rear-engine bus with the debut of the Thomas Saf-T-Liner HD (HD=Heavy Duty) for 2004, the HD was re-branded as the HDX.
For the first time, the Saf-T-Liner was produced on a Thomas-designed chassis.Ĭurrent models Saf-T-Liner HDX In 1978, coinciding with an updated body design necessitated by federal school bus safety regulations, Thomas became a chassis manufacturer with the launch of the Saf-T-Liner EF and ER (EF=Engine Front, ER=Engine Rear). In contrast, Blue Bird, then the largest school bus manufacturer in the United States, manufactured its own chassis (as did West Coast manufacturer Gillig). Thomas offered its transit-style buses on a wide variety of chassis in comparison to other manufacturers (changing between Dodge, Ford, GMC, International Harvester, and Volvo). As was the common practice during the era, production of the chassis was outsourced to another manufacturer. Prior to its reorganization as Thomas Built Buses in 1972, Thomas Car Works produced both front and rear-engined transit-style school buses to compete with other manufacturers. It can also be used to describe the Saf-T-Liner C2 or Saf-T-Liner FS-65, but they are not considered part of the Saf-T-Liner family.Ĭurrently, all versions of the Saf-T-Liner model line are produced in High Point, North Carolina. In addition to school bus applications, variations of the Saf-T-Liner have been produced as activity buses, specialty vehicles, and commercial/transit buses. Introduced in 1978, the Saf-T-Liner marked the transition to in-house chassis production by Thomas. The Thomas Saf-T-Liner is the name of the transit-style (Type D) school bus product line produced by Thomas Built Buses.
Diesel: Cummins, Detroit, & Mercedes-Benz
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