Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX
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| Years of manufacture | 2001 to 2024 |
| Length | 20 to 40 feet |
| Width | 96 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel or CNG |
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The Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner HDX was a type-D, rear-engined school bus. The HDX was introduced as the heavier-duty, updated version of the Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner ER. It was known as the Saf-T-Liner HD until the end of 2002 when it replaced the ER.
Design
The Saf-T-Liner HDX was noticeably distinguished from the ER with its low cut windshield, contemporary round headlights, and integrated swung mirrors. It also features enhanced suspension and electrical system over the ER. The chassis featured a heavy-duty steel frame with an "S" frame engine cradle. The HDX was available with a diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) drivetrain.[1]
The HDX was available with a number of options, many of them used for commercial and activity versions of the HDX. These options include full HVAC, a Pioneer stereo, large coach seats, underfloor storage, tinted windows, adjustable pedals, and a wheelchair lift. 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.
Also in 2016, Thomas introduced the Saf-T-Anchor Removable Seat (S.T.A.R.S.) Mounting System for special needs buses. The seats were wall-mounted with the feet secured in a special anchor in the floor using specially designed anchors. This allows the seats to be easily removed and installed when the seating arrangement needs to be reconfigured for wheelchairs.
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]
In July 2024, Thomas Built Buses revamped the model into the Saf-T-Liner HDX2, which takes design cues from the Type C Saf-T-Liner C2, and whose bodies will be produced in the same Archdale, North Carolina plant that produces the C2.
Specifications
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase: 181", 209", 238", 267" or 277" | ||
| GVWR: up to 36,200 lbs | ||
| Engine | Emissions | Availability |
| Caterpillar 3126 up to 300 hp | EPA 2004 | 2001 to 2007 |
| C7 7.2L | EPA 2007 | 2007 to 2009 |
| Cummins ISB 5.9L | EPA 2004 | 2001 to 2007 |
| Cummins ISB 6.7L, 200 to 300 hp | EPA 2007 | 2007 to 2010 |
| Cummins ISB6.7 6.7L, 200 to 300 hp | EPA 2010 & EPA 2013 | 2010 to 2024 |
| Cummins ISC 8.3L, 260 to 300 hp | EPA 2004 & 2007 | 2001 to 2010 |
| Cummins ISC8.3 8.3L, 260 to 300 hp | EPA 2010 | 2010 to 2013 |
| Cummins ISL9 8.3L, 260 to 300 hp | EPA 2013 & GHG14 | 2013 to 2024 |
| Cummins ISL G EPA 2010 8.9L, 250 or 280 hp (CNG) | EPA 2010, EPA 2013 & GHG14 | CNG |
| Detroit Diesel DD8 7.7L | GHG17 | 2018 to 2024 |
| Detroit Diesel MBE906 6.4L, up to 280 hp | EPA 2004 | 2001 to 2007 |
| Detroit Diesel MBE926 7.2L, up to 250 hp | EPA 2007 | 2007 to 2010 |
| John Deere 250 hp | CNG | |
| Transmission | ||
| Allison B300R | ||
| Allison B400R | ||
| Allison PTS | ||
| Suspension | ||
| Front: single-stage taper leaf springs with four shock absorbers | ||
| Rear: radius leaf vari-rate springs with shock absorbers | ||
| Front and rear air suspension available | ||
Operators
Canada 
- Autocars des Chutes - Lévis, QC
- Cardinal Coach Lines (now part of FirstGroup) - Calgary, AB and Vancouver, BC
- Conseil intermunicipal de transport Chambly-Richelieu-Carignan (CITCRC) - Carignan; Chambly; Marieville; Richelieu; Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, QC
- Conseil intermunicipal de transport des Laurentides (SURF) - Laurentides, QC
- Corporation de transport régional de Portneuf (operated by Groupe Autobus Auger) - Québec, QC
- Express Lotbinière - Saint-Apollinaire & Laurier-Station, QC
- Groupe Connex GVI - Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC
- Les Amis du transport Roy et Morin - Québec, QC
- Limocar - Montreal, QC
- Multi-Transport Drummond - Drummondville, QC
- Thirdwave Bus Services - Metro Vancouver, BC
- Thompson Transit - Thompson, MB
- Transport adapté et collectif des Laurentides - Laurentides, QC
- Ville de Sainte-Julie - Sainte-Julie, QC
- Yellowknife Transit - Yellowknife, NT
United States 
- Arrow Stage Lines - Omaha, NE
- Carson Circuit Transit System - Carson, CA
- Emery Go Round - Emeryville, CA
- Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle - Washington, DC
- Golden Touch Transportation - Astoria, NY
- Howard Transit - Howard County, MD
- Newburgh Beacon Bus Corporation - NY
- Prince George's County Transit - Prince George's County, MD
- Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) - Columbia, MD
- Rural Niagara Public Transportation - Niagara Falls, NY
- Village of Kiryas Joel - Kiryas Joel, NY
- Yale University Shuttle - New Haven, CT
References
- ↑ Thomas Rolls Out Saf-T-Liner® HDX Type D School Bus (Press release). Thomas Built Buses. 09 December 2002. Retrieved on 09 August 2009.
- ↑ "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.
- Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX Brochure, thomasbus.com, retrieved on 2009-09-11
- Personal notes & sightings