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Thomas Built Buses - Because Every Mile Matters

School Buses

Arizona Bus Center, LLC., is the official distributor for Thomas Built Buses (TBB) in the state of Arizona

Thomas Built Buses Because every mile matters™

At Thomas Built Bus, they are committed to building buses that give you peace of mind day after day, mile after mile. Their full line of buses for schools, daycare centers, activity centers and specialty markets are custom-built for every customer and sold through independently owned dealerships like Arizona Bus Center.

So, whether it’s a 14-passenger Minotour®, 90-passenger Saf-T-Liner® HDX or anything between, Thomas Built Buses makes a bus that’s just right for your group transportation needs. Additionally, beyond helping you find an exceptional bus, we’ll be here to offer exceptional customer support and ensure that your precious cargo is safe and comfortable. Rest assured. Because with a bus full of children, Every Mile Matters.

Saf-T-Liner® C2 School Bus

Over the years, the Saf-T-Liner® C2 School Bus has earned a reputation for safety and efficiency. It offers outstanding maneuverability, exceptional driver ergonomics, and best-in-class visibility among Type C buses. Yet it’s also one of the most innovative vehicles around. It revolutionized the school bus industry by introducing BusWise™ Technologies, and a full suite of robust safety, efficiency, and serviceability features. That’s innovation for the sake of every kid’s commute. That’s Thomas Built Buses.

  • Passenger Capacity

    Up to 81

  • Wheelbase

    158″, 179″, 199″, 219″, 238″, 259″, 279″

  • Engine

    Cummins® ISB 200-260 HP
    Cummins® ISB 6.7 G with up to 240 HP
    8.0 V-8 LPG with liquid propane injection system

  • Telematics

    Zonar V3 advanced telematics system

  • GVWR

    Up to 33,000 lbs.

Saf-T-Liner® HDX School Bus

Bus routes come in all shapes and sizes. Short and hilly, long and bumpy, or all of the above. The Saf-T-Liner® HDX and Saf-T-Liner® HDX CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) from Thomas Built Buses was built to handle them all. They keep the driver comfortable with features like the standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel, optional adjustable pedals, air conditioning, coach-style seating, and heavy-duty shock absorbers, making the ride a perfectly pleasant one for up to 90 passengers. Of course, safety is most important to everyone, which is why the HDX meets or exceeds FMVSS. Their unwavering commitment to the needs of every passenger, driver, and customer has made Thomas Built Buses a leader for over 90 years. With one of the most extensive dealer networks in the industry, there’s always support nearby when you need it.

  • Passenger Capacity

    Up to 90

  • Wheelbase

    181″, 209″, 238″, 267″, 277″

  • Engine

    Cummins® ISB 200-300 HP, ISL 260-300 HP

  • Green Option

    CNG – Cummins ISL G 250-280 HP

  • GVWR

    Up to 36,200 lbs.

Saf-T-Liner® EFX School Bus

When it comes to school buses, any improvement in efficiency can make a big difference. The Saf-T-Liner® EFX has seating for up to 90 passengers and a wider loading aisle, providing tremendous flexibility for whatever the school year brings. The cockpit is designed for driver comfort and safety, with ample leg room and optimized access to controls. It also offers better visibility and easier steering. The engine cover allows quick, tool-free access to the engine, fluids, and belts, keeping routine maintenance time to a minimum.

The Saf-T-Liner® EFX is a front-engine, transit-style school bus designed to provide excellent value for customers. Thomas Built Buses listens to drivers, mechanics, and transportation directors to help develop better buses. With one of the most extensive dealer networks in the industry, there’s always support nearby when you need it.

Minotour® School Bus

The Minotour® School Bus is an efficient and maneuverable vehicle packed with all the safety features and rugged engineering of our bigger buses. Unlike most passenger vans, the Minotour® meets and exceeds all FMVSS and CMVSS for school buses. The Minotour® School Bus is designed with ample safety features to protect your precious cargo.

  • Passenger Capacity

    Up to 30

  • Wheelbase

    Ford® Chassis: 138″ or 158″
    GM® Chassis: 139″ or 159″

  • Engine

    GM gas 4.3L V6, 6.0L V8
    GM diesel 6.6L V8
    Ford gas 6.2L V8, 6.8L V10

  • Telematics

    Zonar V3 advanced telematics system

  • GVWR

    SRW 10,100 lbs., DRW 10,050 – 14,500 lbs.

Saf-T-Liner® C2 Jouley School Bus

Thomas Built Buses has been moving the industry forward for more than 100 years. Now, they are driving it in a whole new direction with Jouley™, the first generation Saf-T-Liner® C2 Electric Bus.

Named after the joule unit of energy, Jouley™ is their first electric bus, and a working example of not only how important electric vehicles are to them, but how important they are to Daimler as a whole. It’s emissions-free, noise pollution-free, and fossil fuel-free, helping you save operating costs — and maybe even the planet. Ideal for in-town routes, Jouley™ is the latest chapter in their joint commitment with Daimler to providing proven, sustainable solutions today and tomorrow.

  • Passenger Capacity

    Up to 81

  • Engine

    All-electric bus

  • Range

    Up to 100 miles with option for extended range

  • Battery Energy

    -100-160kWh

  • Charge Time

    8 hours average charge time utilizing standard J1772 chargers

  • Vehicle Performance

    On par with conventional vehicle

We are Arizona’s Leading Resource for School Buses

We offer:

  • Sales of new and used buses
  • Maintenance and repair
  • OE and aftermarket parts

Since the first bus rolled off the Thomas Built Buses assembly line in 1936, they have operated with one simple philosophy: Build the kind of bus that we want our own children to ride. That simple idea drives the way they do business, from the way they engineer their buses to be stronger and better than the standard, and to their commitment to customer service and satisfaction with their nationwide dealer network that we are proud to be a part of.

Today, one in every three children in America who ride a school or activity bus rides a Thomas Built Bus. Arizona Bus Center is proud to be the exclusive Thomas Built Buses dealer for the entire state of Arizona.