Prior to its acquisition, the company was operated by the Perley A. Thomas family, the final major school bus manufacturer operated under family control. Since 1936, Thomas has produced school buses in High Point, North Carolina.
Who manufactures Thomas school buses?
Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles.
What engines are in Thomas school buses?
The Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines offer the longest service intervals in the industry. These advanced engines can go up to 45,000-miles* before needing oil and fuel filter changes.
Who makes the best school bus?
Top 10 School Bus Companies
- Wayne Corporation. Topping our list of companies is Wayne Corporation. …
- Blue Bird. An all time giant, the Blue Bird Corporation (formerly called Blue Bird Body Company) is clearly one of the top school bus manufacturing companies even today. …
- Gillig Corporation. …
- Ward body Works. …
- AmTran. …
- IC Buses. …
- Thomas Built Buses.
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Where do they make school buses?
The Blue Bird Corporation (originally known as the Blue Bird Body Company) is an American bus manufacturer headquartered in Fort Valley, Georgia.
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Blue Bird Corporation.
| Blue Bird Corporation, Fort Valley, Georgia | |
|---|---|
| Traded as | Nasdaq: BLBD Russell 2000 Component |
| Industry | Bus manufacturing |
| Founded | 1932 in Fort Valley, Georgia, U.S. |
Who makes the bus?
The three largest suppliers of buses to the American transit market are New Flyer of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Gillig of Hayward, CA; and North American Bus Industries (NABI) of Alabama. Some transit agencies also purchase buses from Ontario-based Orion (now owned by Daimler-Chrysler) and St. Eustache, Quebec-based Nova.
How big is a Thomas school bus?
Current model specifications
| Model Name | Saf-T-Liner EFX | Saf-T-Liner HDX |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length (inches) | ||
| Body Width (exterior) | 96 inches (2.4 m) | |
| Wheelbase | 136–231 inches (3.5–5.9 m) | 189–273 inches (4.8–6.9 m) |
| Interior Headroom | 78 inches (2.0 m) | |
What engine is in most school buses?
95 percent of all school buses in America are powered by diesel engines because of their reliability, durability and safety. Over half of these (54 percent) rely on the cleanest, near-zero emission diesel engine technology.
How many miles can a diesel bus last?
While gasoline costs per gallon typically are lower than those of clean-diesel, gasoline is less efficient compared to diesel. On average, a clean-diesel school bus can travel about 510 miles on a tank of diesel vs. only 270 miles on gasoline, based on the same standard-sized fuel tanks.
What engine is in a bus?
Torque — and Why it Matters for School Buses
| CUMMINS B6.7 DIESEL ENGINE | CUMMINS WESTPORT B6.7N NATURAL GAS ENGINE |
|---|---|
| 200-300 HP | 200-240 HP |
| 660 LB-FT PEAK TORQUE | 560 LB-FT PEAK TORQUE |
| 660 LB-FT TORQUE AVAILABLE FROM 1300-2300 RPM | 560 LB-FT TORQUE AVAILABLE FROM 1500-2200 RPM |
Why are used school buses so cheap?
Prices of Used Buses
One reason why used buses are so cheap is that they may not meet government regulations (discussed below) and thus cannot be purchased by government agencies. Another reason why they are so cheap is that many of them are just purchased for parts.
What is the most expensive school bus in the world?
Mayweather Buys World’s Most Expensive School Bus For His 14-Year-Old Daughter. American undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has demonstrated why he’s known as ‘The Money’ by purchasing a white Rolls-Royce Wraith at the cost of $358,888 for his 14-year-old daughter.
What is the best bus to convert?
The best school bus for conversion is a short bus like our Thomas MinoTour Ford E-450 which offers more maneuverability, easier driving and parking, and better gas mileage than it’s larger counterparts.
Does Bluebird still make school buses?
Blue Bird is the only manufacturer to offer a full line of alternative-fuel school buses that provide our customers with clean, efficient, affordable and environmentally-friendly school transportation solutions in a variety of custom options and configurations.
Who manufactures yellow school buses?
Navistar, Inc. manufactures trucks, defense vehicles, and school buses. They also have engines available. Navistar yellow school buses get 26 million U.S. children to and from school, and they offer a lineup of integrated vehicles, including the CE Series, RE Series, BE Series, and AE Series, the new Type A school bus.
Does Ford still make school buses?
As of current production, Ford no longer produces a cowled-chassis bus in North America. Shifting its production exclusively to cutaway vehicles, Ford produces vehicles derived from the Transit (350/350HD), E-Series (E-350/E-450), Super Duty (F-550), and medium-duty F-Series (F-650/F-750).