Contact: Jennifer.Edwards@daimler.com or Katja.Bott@daimler.com

High Point, N.C. – (January 31, 2018) – Hamilton Southeastern Schools, based in Indiana, was one of the first users of the new Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Anchor Removable Seat (S.T.A.R.S.) Mounting System. But after just a few short months with the new seating configuration, the school district is already singing its praises and have additional units on order. 

“We have had good luck with the S.T.A.R.S. system,” said Nathan Summers, garage supervisor of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. “We like how it keeps the floors clean and more organized and our team loves how quickly and easily removal and installation is compared to track seating.”

The revolutionary S.T.A.R.S. mounting system for special-needs buses is unique to Thomas Built Buses. Unlike traditional track seating, the S.T.A.R.S. mounting system allows passenger seats to be easily removed and reinstalled quickly – literally within a few minutes without any special hardware or complicated measuring.

For Hamilton Southeastern Schools, an added benefit is that the S.T.A.R.S. system is ideal for fighting corrosion because of its unique wall-mounted seats with the feet secured to the floor using one-of-a-kind designed anchors.  

“We’ve found that L-track seating tends to collect dirt and debris along the track. With the S.T.A.R.S. system, this isn’t a problem,” said Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. “Plus, the S.T.A.R.S. system is easy to install and is more cost-effective than track seating as there is no need to purchase continuous track and no upcharge for the track-mounted seat frame.”

Not surprisingly, around 90% of Thomas Built lift buses in Indiana are now utilizing the S.T.A.R.S. system and are seeing success similar to Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

About Thomas Built Buses

Founded in 1916, Thomas Built Buses is a leading manufacturer of school buses in North America. Since the first Thomas Built bus rolled off the assembly line, the company has been committed to delivering the smartest and most innovative buses in North America. Learn more at https://thomasbuiltbuses.com or at https://www.facebook.com/thomasbuiltbuses. 

Thomas Built Buses, Inc., headquartered in High Point, N.C., is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.