Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX
| |
| Years of manufacture | 2011 to present |
| Length | |
| Width | 96 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel |
The Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner EFX is a front-engined Type-D school bus offered as a more economical option to the rear-engined HDX. It was introduced in September 2011 and was made available for order in the fourth quarter of the year.
Design
The EFX is the upgraded successor to the EF. Improvements include easier access to the engine compartment, more driver's storage, a cockpit with improved ergonomics, and styling inline with the HDX.[1]
Major options for the EFX include air conditioning, wheelchair lift, rear air suspension, under floor storage, overhead storage, and commercial bus windows. Towards the end of 2016, the Zonar’s V3 telematics system was made standard on all Thomas products. It can monitor location, mileage, fuel usage, driver behavior and remote engine and system diagnostics.
At the 2018 STN Expo, Thomas, in partnership with MITO Corporation and CUB Group, debuted a prototype of their new pedestrian detection technology. The system features LED ground lights on the cross-view mirrors and multiple radar units around the bus. The radar can detect a pedestrian or object within ten feet of the front, back or side of the bus.[2] Known as Saf-T-Zone, the system was made available in 2021. The Stage 2 Lights safety system, also made available in 2021, allows the bus driver to remotely signal to students who are loading or unloading that it is safe for them to cross the road via green bumper-mounted lamps.[3]
Specifications
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase: 136", 155", 174", 193", 212", 231" | ||
| GVWR: up to 36,200 lbs. | ||
| Engine | Emissions | Availability |
| Cummins ISB6.7 6.7L, 200 to 260 hp | EPA 2010 & 2013 | 2011 onwards |
| Transmission | ||
| Allison B300R | ||
| Allison PTS | ||
| Capacity | ||
| 54 to 90 passengers | ||
Operators
Canada 
- Cardinal Coach Lines - Calgary, AB
- Lynch Bus Lines - Vancouver, BC
United States 
- Boardman Local Schools - Boardman, OH
- North Hills School District - PA
- Woodridge Local Schools - OH
References
- ↑ Thomas Built Buses Rolls Out Redesigned Front-Engine Type D Product, thomasbus.com, retrieved on 2011-09-30
- ↑ "Thomas Built Buses Debuts Pedestrian Detection Prototype at STN Expo Tradeshow". Press release. 17 July 2018. Thomas Built Buses.
- ↑ "Thomas Built Buses Introduces New Saf-T-Zone™ Pedestrian Detection System." Thomas Built Buses. Press release. 01 November 2021.