Thomas Built Buses

Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Bus manufacturing
Founded	1916
Founder	Perley A. Thomas
Headquarters	High Point, North Carolina , United States
Area served	North America, International (Canada, Ecuador, Peru)
Key people	John W. Thomas Jr. (President, 1970s), Perley Thomas II (Vice President of International Operations, 1970s)
Products	School buses, activity buses, commercial buses
Owner	Daimler Truck North America
Parent	Daimler Truck North America

Thomas Built Buses, Inc. (often referred to simply as Thomas) is a prominent American manufacturer specializing in buses, credited with introducing the first rear-engine Type C school bus. Its product lineup currently encompasses school buses, activity buses, and commercial variants.

Originating in 1916 under the name Perley A. Thomas Car Works, the enterprise adopted its present name in 1972 to better represent its principal offerings. Based in High Point, North Carolina, Thomas has operated as a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America (which also owns Freightliner) since 1998. Prior to this acquisition, it stood as the last significant school bus manufacturer managed by the Perley A. Thomas family.

Since 1936, Thomas has produced school buses at its High Point facility and manufactures chassis for its Saf-T-Liner/Transit Liner EFX2 and HDX2 models.

Origins

Recognized as North America's longest-standing school bus manufacturer, Thomas traces its roots back to 1916. Following the closure of the Southern Car Company, Perley A. Thomas, an expert woodworker and engineer, established a business initially focused on crafting fireplace mantels and furniture. Later that year, he transitioned into streetcar manufacturing by obtaining a contract to enclose streetcars in Charlotte, North Carolina.

With a $6,000 loan, Thomas purchased equipment from Southern Car Works at auction and set up an assembly operation within a former ice plant located in High Point. In 1917, the company refurbished nine streetcars destined for the U.S. Navy and Montgomery, Alabama.

By 1918, Thomas began producing brand-new streetcars—totaling 25 units—featuring all-steel bodies that replaced traditional wooden frames. That same year marked the beginning of construction on a larger factory spanning 30 acres near High Point to support expanded production and maintenance of streetcars.

The 1920s

Although best known for their streetcars in New Orleans, Perley Thomas streetcars also operated in numerous U.S. cities including Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Mobile, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and were even exported to Havana, Cuba.

Between 1918 and 1930, Thomas Car Works manufactured approximately 400 streetcars, ranking as the fourth-largest streetcar producer nationwide.

Streetcars in New Orleans

In 1921, Thomas Car Works secured its most substantial contract: supplying 150 streetcars to New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (NOPSI), delivered between 1921 and 1924. To fulfill this large order, some production was subcontracted to J. G. Brill of Philadelphia using Thomas’s designs.

A fire in September 1922 devastated the High Point factory causing $225,000 in damages and interrupting production of 14 streetcars. Perley Thomas obtained a $100,000 advance from NOPSI to rebuild the facility and acquire necessary parts; this enabled completion of an additional 55 streetcars. By the close of 1923, total output reached 105 units.

As of 2020, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority continues operating 35 Perley Thomas 900-series streetcars on the St. Charles line—the oldest continuously running streetcar route worldwide—dating from 1923–24.

The 1930s

In 1930, Thomas Car Works was reincorporated as Perley A. Thomas Car Works, Inc., with ownership held by Perley Thomas and his family members. The company’s final streetcar order consisted of four vehicles for Mobile, Alabama.

With automotive buses offering greater operational flexibility than rail-based streetcars during this period, Thomas shifted its focus accordingly. In 1933, it produced its first trolley bus—powered via overhead wires but built upon a bus chassis—and followed in 1934 by manufacturing ten transit buses for Duke Power in South Carolina.

As demand for streetcars declined sharply, Thomas diversified into automotive refinishing along with constructing bus and truck bodies. Employment dropped from about 125 workers in 1929 to roughly ten by 1934 (including Perley Thomas and his three children). Despite financial difficulties leading to creditor receivership filings, no buyers emerged for the company allowing it to continue operating.

Shift to Bus Manufacturing

In 1936, Thomas Car Works won a portion of a contract to build 500 school bus bodies for North Carolina but could only finance materials for 200 units, prompting the state to divide the order with Hackney Brothers. Thomas produced buses with wooden bodies priced between $195 and $225. After submitting a second successful school bus bid in 1937, the firm redirected nearly all its manufacturing efforts toward school bus bodies, securing its position as North Carolina’s leading supplier in this sector.

By 1938, Thomas introduced significant advancements, including its inaugural steel-bodied school bus. Although not the first company to adopt all-steel construction, Thomas innovated by designing one-piece roof bows and integrating internal roll bars welded directly to the frame—features that remain industry standards in North American school buses. Furthermore, it launched an outward-opening entry door to enhance emergency exit capabilities.

1940s

In 1940, leadership at Thomas Car Works transitioned from founder Perley Thomas to his three children, with John W. Thomas taking charge of operations and sales while James Thomas managed the High Point production facility. During World War II, the company shifted focus to military contracts, manufacturing bodies for the GMC CCKW truck in partnership with Ward Body Works.

The High Point plant also undertook streetcar refurbishments to support public transit systems amid wartime resource constraints. Following the war, increased student enrollment prompted Thomas to broaden its dealership network throughout the eastern United States. The company also engineered reinforced rubber-covered door hinges to enhance protection against weather conditions.

A new generation of family leadership joined post-war: John W. Thomas Jr. assumed the role of sales director, and Perley (Pat) Thomas II oversaw government contract management, reinforcing the family’s strategic involvement and dedication to expanding their presence in the school bus market.

1950s

Throughout the 1950s, Thomas Car Works extended its international reach by exporting vehicles and setting up assembly operations in Ecuador and Peru. Bus bodies were shipped from North Carolina as knock-down kits (CKD) for assembly on chassis sourced locally.

The "Thomas Saf-T-Liner" name was introduced in 1957, signifying redesigned bus bodies featuring a larger two-piece windshield. By 1972, this brand had been fully adopted for all full-size Thomas buses, reflecting its enduring impact on the market.

Founder and president Perley Thomas passed away in 1958 at age 84 while still actively serving as company president and design advisor, underscoring his lifelong dedication to guiding the company’s strategic direction.

1960s

In 1962, Thomas Built Buses expanded its footprint internationally by establishing Thomas Built Buses of Canada, Ltd. in Woodstock, Ontario—an important milestone in its growth trajectory. By this period, it had become the third-largest manufacturer of school buses in the United States, strengthening its competitive position.

To highlight product robustness, Thomas conducted a notable demonstration in 1964 by placing a full-size school bus atop another’s roof—a promotional tactic repeated with later models to showcase structural integrity.

In response to safety concerns and evolving regulations, Thomas developed a convex blind-spot mirror in 1967 aimed at minimizing front blind spots. Initially mandated by North Carolina law, this innovation rapidly influenced safety standards across sixteen states and remains a standard feature on North American school buses today.

1970s

The early 1970s witnessed notable changes in leadership and strategic direction for Thomas. After the passing of President John W. Thomas in 1972, control briefly transferred to his brother James Thomas before transitioning to the third generation with John Thomas Jr. as President and Perley Thomas II serving as Vice President of International Operations, maintaining the tradition of family leadership.

In line with its evolving focus from streetcar production to bus manufacturing as the central business, the company underwent a rebranding in 1972, changing its name from Perley A. Thomas Car Works to Thomas Built Buses, Inc. This change aligned the corporate identity more closely with its primary product line and enhanced brand positioning in important markets.

Expanded school buses

Since the debut of its first school bus in 1936, Thomas had predominantly produced "conventional" bus bodies mounted on cowled truck chassis. Although this design was the most widespread, transit-style buses offered greater seating capacity, accommodating up to 90 passengers. In the early 1970s, Thomas introduced the Saf-T-Liner ER (Engine Rear) model to rival the Blue Bird All American. Similar to competitors such as Carpenter, Superior, Ward, and Wayne, Thomas sourced rear-engine chassis from external manufacturers including Ford, Dodge, GMC, International Harvester, and Volvo.

Additionally, Thomas launched the "Mighty Mite" series during this period—the smallest conventional bus in their lineup—primarily built on Dodge D300 chassis. Production later shifted to Hamilton, Ontario, where Canadian versions of the Mighty Mite utilized modified International Harvester Loadstar chassis.

The Saf-T-Liner body underwent a redesign in 1972 featuring lengthened rub rails, squared roof caps designed for an eight-lamp warning light system, and an enlarged windshield. Safety enhancements implemented in 1977 ensured adherence to regulatory requirements. This body style continued through 2006 on Conventional models and persists today in updated forms on EFX and HDX models, adapted for the Minotour’s smaller frame. The compact Saf-T-Liner body was also modified for use on the Mighty Mite narrow-body bus built on a shortened conventional chassis.

In 1978, Thomas made a pivotal move by developing proprietary chassis for both the Saf-T-Liner ER rear-engine model and the front-engine Saf-T-Liner EF. This innovation positioned Thomas as the first manufacturer to offer in-house chassis for front- and rear-engine school buses—preceding Blue Bird’s similar capability by approximately ten years. The EF model competed directly with vehicles like the Blue Bird Mini Bird and Carpenter Cadet. During this time, Thomas also reintroduced the Mighty Mite as a Type B bus—a body mounted on a stripped-down chassis.

1980s

The period spanning the late 1970s into the early 1980s proved difficult for school bus manufacturers due to an economic downturn coupled with reduced demand following the completion of schooling by the baby-boom generation. Numerous companies struggled financially or ceased operations altogether.

During this era, Thomas refreshed its branding by adopting a new "T-bus" emblem placed along the rooflines of its buses, replacing the former scripted company name.

To support expansion efforts financially, the Thomas family partnered with investment firm Odyssey Group to manage capital raising initiatives. This collaboration resulted in Odyssey acquiring partial ownership while family control was preserved.

In the early 1980s, Thomas expanded into transit bus production by adapting designs from their Saf-T-Liner platform. The CL960 "Citiliner," introduced in 1982, was a purpose-built transit bus featuring two doors and a sloped windshield. Sharing this design language, Thomas also launched the Chartour—a charter bus equipped with a single entry door.

This diversification into transit and charter markets represented a strategic effort by Thomas to widen its product portfolio and enhance competitive positioning amid industry headwinds.

Product advancements

After the introduction of the Wayne Busette and Blue Bird Micro Bird in the mid-1970s, Thomas launched its own cutaway chassis school bus, the Thomas Minotour, in 1980. Alongside this, Thomas unveiled the WestCoastER, a robust version of the Saf-T-Liner ER designed to rival models like the Crown Supercoach and Gillig Phantom. Available in configurations seating 84 or 90 passengers, the WestCoastER incorporated reinforced driveline and suspension systems, with an option for tandem rear axles.

By the late 1980s, the Saf-T-Liner series (excluding the WestCoastER) adopted the MVP designation, which stood for Maneuverability, Visibility, and Protection.

In 1989, Thomas broadened its conventional-style bus offerings by introducing the Thomas Vista. This model featured a redesigned driver’s area and front chassis to enhance visibility: a shortened hood combined with repositioned engine and front axle allowed drivers to be seated beside rather than behind the engine.

1990s

In 1991, Saf-T-Liner transit-style buses underwent their first redesign since 1978. Both the ER and WestCoastER received larger windshields, revamped driver compartments, and upgraded diesel powertrains. To challenge competitors such as Blue Bird’s TC/2000 and Ward Senator (later AmTran Genesis), Thomas replaced the Saf-T-Liner EF with the All Star model mounted on an Oshkosh chassis. The Vista transitioned from a General Motors chassis to one based on Navistar, shared with the Saf-T-Liner Conventional.

The year 1992 marked a milestone as the fourth generation of the Thomas family took over daily management, becoming the first family-owned school bus manufacturer to do so.

During the mid-1990s, Thomas focused on developing cleaner fuel technologies: compressed natural gas (CNG) buses entered production in 1993, followed by battery-electric prototypes unveiled in 1994.

By 1996, Thomas had become the largest school bus manufacturer in the U.S. by market share. To satisfy growing demand, it established a third manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The company also refreshed its branding by replacing the traditional "T-bus" roof emblem with a stylized scripted Thomas Built Buses logo.

Later in that decade, significant industry changes occurred. Freightliner debuted the Freightliner FS-65 chassis in 1997, derived from its FL60/FL70 medium-duty trucks. This new chassis was paired with a modified Saf-T-Liner Conventional body featuring a distinctive four-piece windshield.

Expansion into transit

Throughout the 1990s, Thomas broadened its transit bus portfolio by introducing Transit Liners—commercial variants of Saf-T-Liner school buses—as well as commercial versions of both Minotour and Vista models. The TL960, a purpose-built transit bus based on the Saf-T-Liner ER platform, featured two doors and offered an optional integrated wheelchair ramp.

In 1999, Thomas entered a joint venture with British manufacturer Dennis to import and assemble Dennis Dart SLF buses at a North Carolina facility. Branded as Thomas Dennis SLF200, these low-floor buses were distributed through Orion Bus Industries, which became part of Daimler in 2000.

Acquisition of company

By the late 1990s, Thomas Built Buses remained under fourth-generation family ownership alongside the Odyssey Group. After Wayne Wheeled Vehicles ceased production, Thomas commanded a 34% market share in 1996. That same year saw the Thomas family sell a majority interest to Berkshire Partners equity firm.

Freightliner made its entry into school bus chassis production in May 1996 with the Freightliner FS-65 chassis developed jointly with Thomas and based on Freightliner's FL60/FL70 medium-duty trucks. Production commenced early in 1997, marking Freightliner’s return to cowled-chassis manufacturing since Dodge’s departure from this market in 1977.

In October 1998, Freightliner completed its acquisition of Thomas Built Buses but retained John W. Thomas III as president. At that point, Thomas was North America’s largest school bus manufacturer and remained one of few major family-run companies in this sector. Freightliner was expanding its portfolio through acquisitions such as Ford’s heavy-truck lines (which continued under Sterling Trucks), Oshkosh Corporation’s chassis business (acquired in 1995), and American LaFrance (bought in 1996).

The decade also saw increasing collaboration between body builders and chassis producers: Navistar acquired AmTran (finalized in 1995), Blue Bird partnered with General Motors for chassis supply, and Spartan Motors purchased Carpenter Body Company in 1998.

Following Freightliner’s takeover, production of the Vista model ceased after Navistar discontinued its chassis line in 1998. Ford similarly ended production of medium-duty truck-based school bus chassis after that year. As a result, from 1999 onward, Saf-T-Liner Conventional buses were available only on Navistar or Freightliner chassis; use of General Motors chassis by Thomas had ended after 1991.

2000s

The school bus manufacturing sector faced considerable challenges in the early 2000s. Over the span of a decade, the number of body manufacturers declined from seven to just three by 2001. During this period, AmTran underwent two rebranding efforts within two years, while Thomas gained financial security following its acquisition by Freightliner—an advantage not shared by Blue Bird Corporation.

Thomas reorganized its production operations around its High Point headquarters. After shutting down the Monterrey plant in the late 1990s, it established a High Point facility dedicated to Minotour assembly in 1999 and opened another plant in Jamestown, North Carolina, for producing Thomas Dennis low-floor buses in 2000. The Woodstock, Ontario factory in Canada was closed at the end of 2001 amid Freightliner's corporate restructuring. A third assembly plant in High Point commenced operations in 2004.

In 2002, John W. Thomas III retired from his role as president, marking the departure of the last family member actively managing the company; he transitioned into a consultancy role. His successor was John O'Leary, a financial specialist who had previously overseen Freightliner's recovery.

Throughout this decade, Thomas gradually exited the transit bus market. Although the Thomas Dennis SLF200 saw some sales, it faced stiff competition from more established manufacturers. After 2002, Daimler restructured the joint venture by replacing Thomas with distributor Orion; subsequently, the SLF200 was discontinued following Transbus International's exit from the market. The TL960 transit bus was also phased out in 2002 as Thomas concentrated on school bus variants such as the Transit Liner EF/ER.

In recognition of his contributions, founder Perley Thomas was inducted posthumously into the North Carolina Transportation Hall of Fame in 2005. Two years later, Thomas Built Buses donated a 1940 model school bus to the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

Following the introduction of the Saf-T-Liner C2 in 2004, Thomas continued manufacturing both it and the Saf-T-Liner Conventional simultaneously. After nearly 35 years and a total production of 62,764 units, manufacturing of the Saf-T-Liner Conventional FS-65 concluded on December 13, 2006.

New-generation buses

During the early years of the decade, Thomas launched major upgrades across its bus lineup. The Saf-T-Liner HD debuted in 2001 as a fusion of the Saf-T-Liner ER, WestCoastER, and MVP ER models. It featured large integrated mirror housings and incorporated shared components with Freightliner vehicles, including instrument clusters and headlamps. By 2003, Freightliner became the exclusive chassis supplier for what was renamed the Saf-T-Liner FS-65 conventional model. In 2004, the HD model itself received a new designation as the Saf-T-Liner HDX.

Following Freightliner's release of the Business Class M2 in 2001, Thomas developed a new conventional school bus body. Introduced in 2004, the Saf-T-Liner C2 represented Thomas's first completely redesigned bus body since 1972. Notably, this model involved a collaborative design process between Thomas and Freightliner that integrated chassis and body development, resulting in enhanced dashboard integration but restricting chassis availability solely to Thomas products. The C2 showcased a larger slanted windshield, expanded windows and emergency exits, along with a distinct body construction compared to its predecessor.

In 2009, Thomas expanded its small bus range by introducing the MyBus series aimed at the MFSAB (activity bus) market segment. While structurally similar to the Minotour, MyBus was tailored specifically for applications that did not require traffic control features.

2010s

In 2010, Kelley Platt assumed the role of company president, becoming the first woman to lead a prominent school bus manufacturer. She brought valuable expertise from her previous role overseeing treasury services during Freightliner’s acquisition of Thomas Built Buses.

The Saf-T-Liner EFX, Thomas’s initial new front-engine bus since 1994, was introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model year. This model incorporated design cues from the HDX and featured a centrally positioned Freightliner instrument panel.

Throughout the early part of the decade, Thomas broadened its range of alternative-fuel vehicles. Following limited market traction with the hybrid diesel-electric Saf-T-Liner C2e (produced from 2007 to 2013), the company shifted focus toward compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane variants. The Saf-T-Liner C2 added propane fuel capability in 2014 and later expanded to CNG in 2016; alternative fuel options were also extended to the Minotour chassis.

Marking its centennial anniversary in 2016, Thomas Built Buses celebrated 100 years of uninterrupted production, becoming the first bus body manufacturer in North America to achieve this milestone.

In 2018, Detroit Diesel engines made a return to Thomas school buses for the first time since the late 1980s, enhancing the available powertrain lineup.

Towards the end of 2019, Thomas entered into a joint venture with Trans Tech to create the Minotrek, a compact Type A school bus built on a Ford Transit cutaway chassis. This collaboration focused on aerodynamic improvements aimed at boosting fuel efficiency and expanded Thomas’s footprint in the small bus segment.

Environmental stewardship

In 2011, Thomas Built Buses’ High Point manufacturing plant attained Zero-Waste-to-Landfill certification for its vehicle production processes. The following year, the company earned recognition as a North Carolina Environmental Steward due to its exemplary environmental practices and dedication to surpassing regulatory requirements.

Late in 2017 saw the unveiling of the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, a fully electric school bus prototype named after an energy measurement unit, with plans for full-scale production slated for 2020.

2020–present

In July 2024, Thomas introduced the Saf-T-Liner HDX2, which incorporates design elements derived from the Type C Saf-T-Liner C2. Subsequently, in March 2025, the company announced the Saf-T-Liner EFX2, similarly inspired by C2 styling. Both vehicles are manufactured at the Archdale, North Carolina plant, signifying the complete consolidation of Type-D bus production at this facility.

Products

Thomas Built Buses produces school bus bodies in three primary configurations: cutaway van (Minotour), conventional (Saf-T-Liner C2), and transit-style (Saf-T-Liner EFX/HDX). Their portfolio also includes variants designed for activity buses, child-care transportation, and specialized commercial applications.

The company offers a variety of powertrain choices across its lineup—including diesel, propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, and fully electric options—aligning with their strategic approach to meet diverse customer needs and strengthen their market position.

School buses

Current Product Line
Model Name	Thomas Minotour MyBus	Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2	Thomas Saf-T-Liner (EFX, HDX)
Photo
Year Introduced	Minotour: 1980 MyBus: 2009	2004	EFX: 2012 HDX: 2001 (as Saf-T-Liner HD), 2005 (HDX), 2025 (HDX2)
Assembly	High Point, North Carolina
Configuration	Type A (cutaway van) single and dual rear wheel (Minotour, MyBus)	Type C (conventional)	Type D (transit-style)
Chassis Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company Ford E-350/E-450 General Motors Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana	Daimler Trucks North America LLC (Freightliner) Freightliner C2 (Freightliner M2 106)	Thomas Built Buses Front-engine Type D chassis Rear-engine Type D chassis
Fuel Type(s)	Minotour Gasoline MyBus Gasoline	Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Diesel Propane Electric	EFX Diesel HDX Diesel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Passenger Capacity	14-30	up to 81	up to 90
Other Notes	Minotour Produced as school bus and MFSAB MyBus Based on Minotour; produced as school bus, commercial, and MFSAB/activity bus on Chevrolet/GMC chassis	Built on Freightliner C2 chassis derived from Freightliner M2 106 medium-duty truck platform Replaced both Saf-T-Liner Conventional and FS-65 models Hybrid diesel-electric variant (C2e) offered from 2007–2013; propane fuel option introduced in 2013; added CNG version in 2016; electric prototype "Jouley" revealed in 2017 targeting production by 2019	EFX Succeeded Saf-T-Liner EF in 2011; utilized for school buses, commercial use, and MFSAB applications; shares front-end body styling with HDX HDX Debuted in 2001 as Saf-T-Liner HD; replaced ER and MVP ER models; distinguished by integrated large mirror assemblies combining side-view, wide-angle, and cross-view mirrors

Former Product Lines
Model Name	Years Produced	Configuration	Chassis Supplier	Notes
Mighty Mite	mid-1980s–early 1990s	Type B (integrated)	General Motors Chevrolet P-30	Name also applied to lowest-capacity Thomas Conventionals prior to the 1970s and para-transit buses operated in Toronto
Saf-T-Liner Conventional Saf-T-Liner FS-65	1962–2002 (Conventional) 1995–2007 (FS-65)	Type C (conventional)	Chrysler Corporation Dodge D-300 Mighty Mite (until 1977) Ford Motor Company Ford B600/B700/B800/B8000 series (1962–1998) Freightliner (Daimler) Freightliner FS-65 chassis (1995–2007) General Motors Chevrolet/GMC B-Series (1966–1991) International Harvester/Navistar International International Loadstar (1962–1978) International S-Series "Schoolmaster" (1979–1989) Navistar International models 3700/3800 (1989–2002)	Originally introduced by Perley A. Thomas Car Works in 1962; recognizable for windshield wipers mounted above windshield and two-piece flat glass design FS-65 chassis acquired through Freightliner's purchase in 1998; all FS-65 bodies were branded as Thomas after 2001 featuring four-piece windshields
Vista	1989–1998	Type C (Semi-forward control conventional)	General Motors (1989–1991) Navistar International (1992–1998)	Driver positioned beside engine for enhanced visibility akin to Type D layouts Initially built on Chevrolet/GMC chassis before switching to International platforms from 1992 Received additional windshield glass panels during a refresh in 1994
Saf-T-Liner (EF, ER, WestCoastER)	Saf-T-Liner EF: produced from 1978–1990 and again from 2007–2011 Saf-T-Liner ER & WestCoastER: produced between 1978–2004	Type D (transit-style) Saf-T-Liner EF - front-engine layout Saf-T-Liner ER & WestCoastER - rear-engine layout	Thomas Built Buses	The Saf-T-Liner EF was launched in 1978 as Thomas’s first chassis product; replaced by MVP EF in 1991 before being reintroduced with MVP redesign until replaced by EFX in 2012 The Saf-T-Liner ER debuted simultaneously but was phased out by the Saf-T-Liner HD/HDX series by 2004 WestCoastER served as a heavy-duty variant featuring larger passenger capacity and optional tandem rear axles tailored for West Coast markets
Saf-T-Liner MVP EF/ER, All-Star	All-Star: manufactured from 1991–1994 MVP EF: produced between 1994–2007 MVP ER: produced from 1995–2004	Type D (transit-style) All-Star & MVP EF - front-engine configuration MVP ER - rear-engine configuration	All-Star was constructed by Oshkosh Corporation MVP EF & ER were built by Thomas Built Buses	The All-Star was an Oshkosh-built front-engine competitor to Blue Bird TC/2000 featuring a larger windshield and dual headlamps MVP EF succeeded All-Star in 1995 on a Thomas chassis emphasizing Maneuverability, Visibility, Protection; renamed Saf-T-Liner EF in 2007 before being replaced by EFX MVP ER was succeeded by Saf-T-Liner HDX in 2004

Additional Bus Models

Thomas Built Buses produced commercial adaptations of its Minotour, Conventional, and Vista product lines, which included:

• Transit Liner MVP EF/ER – a commercial variant derived from the Saf-T-Liner MVP school bus
• TL960 – a rear-engine transit bus model based on the Saf-T-Liner ER platform
• Chartour – a rear-engine transit bus offering
• CL960 – another rear-engine transit bus version
• SLF200 (Super Low Floor) series – a licensed, badge-engineered transit bus constructed under agreement with Dennis Specialist Vehicles, utilizing the Alexander ALX200 body on a Dennis Dart SLF chassis

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Thomas Built Buses, Inc. Historical Timeline (1972–present)

Bus Category

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Type A

Minotour

MyBus

Type B

Mighty Mite

Type C

Saf-T-Liner

Conventional

FS-65

C2

Vista

Vista

Vista

See also

• School bus
• Streetcar