The transportation department for Montgomery County Public Schools is on tap to receive quite the special delivery next month.
The 100,000th Thomas Built Buses SAF-T-LINER C2 school bus was showcased at a grand delivery celebration event Tuesday in front of Lane Stadium on the Virginia Tech campus.
Thomas began production of the popular C2 school bus in 2004. At the time it was recognized as the industry’s most innovative and revolutionary school bus.
Since its introduction, the bus has been delivered to all fifty states and across Canada. Recently enhanced BusWise Technologies on the C2 offer a full suite of robust safety, efficiency and serviceability features.
Advanced telematics systems provide drivers and school transportation administrators with instant on-demand information including pre-delivery inspection tools, GPS tracking, and vehicle diagnostics.
“These new smart buses can communicate directly with our technicians and staff,” said Eddie Walters, director of transportation. “If the bus is out on a route and a check engine light or other service issue arises, we are notified in real time so when the bus returns back to the shop we’re prepared to address the concern immediately. It really increases our efficiency and reduces the time buses are down for repair.”
“We are thrilled to receive delivery of this milestone Thomas school bus. This is a real honor for Montgomery County and especially our transportation team.” Superintendent Mark Miear said. “Safely transporting our students is a daily priority for our school district and community.”
Montgomery County’s school bus fleet is comprised of approximately 130 buses – including 15 of the new Thomas C2 units. The school district serves 9,700 students and traveled almost two million safe miles in 2017-18.
A regular school bus costs $96,507 according to MCPS spokesperson Brenda Drake. She wrote in an email that the system bought four buses this time— two full-size buses and two special education buses.
MCPS tries to replace them before they are completely shot, according to Drake.
“Our goal is eight buses a year. At least half of our buses have more than 100,000 miles on them and are more than seven years old,” she wrote in an email. “We do not have any buses budgeted for in the 2018-19 budget. Our hope is that one-time funds from the Board of Supervisors and fuel savings will allow us to purchase some buses to continue our replacement cycle.”
Drake also wrote that a buses’ lifespan is determined by multiple factors.
“It depends on the wear and tear of the bus. Our transportation department keeps the buses in excellent condition and our drivers are attune to any issues with their bus,” she wrote.
Drake also noted that the MCPS’s main priority concerning busses is that a student will never be stranded because a bus breaks down. Old buses are sold through a surplus auction.
Thomas Built Buses, located in High Point, North Carolina is the nation’s leading school bus manufacturer.
Thomas is a division of Daimler Trucks North America. Sonny Merryman—Virginia’s Bus Company, headquartered near Lynchburg, serves as Thomas exclusive dealer for the Commonwealth.
The company will deliver approximately 650 school buses throughout Virginia this year.
