Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2

The Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 (often shortened to Thomas C2) is a bus manufactured by Thomas Built Buses since 2004. The first cowled-chassis bus designed by Thomas following its acquisition by Freightliner, the C2 debuted the first all-new body design for the company in over three decades. Produced primarily as a yellow school bus, the model line is also produced for commercial use and other specialty configurations.

Distinguished by its tall, single-piece windshield, the C2 uses a chassis derived from the first-generation Freightliner Business Class M2 medium-duty truck. In contrast to previous conventional-style buses, the C2 adopts the dashboard of the medium-duty truck in its entirety. Replacing the previous Saf-T-Liner Conventional/Saf-T-Liner FS-65 (the latter, produced alongside the C2 until December 2006), the C2 inherits several design elements of the 1990s Thomas Vista to improve loading-zone visibility.

Alongside its distinctive exterior, the C2 is also available in up to 81-passenger capacity, the largest of any conventional-type school bus in North America. In addition to traditional diesel-fuel engines, the C2 has been offered with multiple fuel options, along with both hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

Thomas manufactures the C2 in a dedicated facility in High Point, North Carolina while the chassis is built in Gaffney, South Carolina.