HIGH POINT, N.C. — Nesco Bus and Truck Sales in Bay Shore, New York, has delivered 17 Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner® C2 buses to two school bus contracting companies in the New York City area. Jofaz Transportation in Brooklyn purchased 15 C2s and Independent Coach in Inwood purchased two C2s.

“The Saf-T-Liner C2 is a beautiful bus,” said Joe Fazzia, president of Jofaz Transportation, which contracts with the New York City school district. Fazzia said he was especially impressed with the C2’s safety features. “I’ve been in the business for more than 30 years and the C2 is the best school bus money can buy. It surpasses anything else on the road right now.” The 15 new C2s will be added to Jofaz’s fleet of more than 200 buses, most of which are Thomas brand.

Independent Coach, which contracts with various districts in Nassau County, just east of New York City, was similarly impressed with the C2. “I’ve visited the C2 plant in North Carolina. I’ve watched the buses being built and I’ve driven the demo models—and this is one impressive bus,” said Independent Coach president Nick Fabrizio. The four C2s will join Independent’s fleet, which includes about 50 Thomas Built buses.

The Saf-T-Liner C2 is a next-generation conventional school bus designed from the ground up with driver and customer input. The completely integrated Saf-T-Liner C2 has numerous distinctive features, including:

* The largest driver visibility footprint in the Type C category

* A body assembly system utilizing welds, structural adhesives and self-piercing rivets

* Recessed warning lights

* Ergonomic driver cockpit and interior devices

* One multiplexed wiring system shared by the body and chassis

* A choice of Mercedes-Benz MBE 900 series engines or Caterpillar C7 diesel engines

Production of C2 customer units began in October 2004 in a new 275,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant constructed specifically for the C2 in High Point, N.C.

Thomas Built Buses is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one third of the school bus market in North America. Thomas Built Buses is a member of Freightliner LLC, the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of class 3-8 vehicles. Freightliner LLC produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, American LaFrance and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Freightliner is a unit of DaimlerChrysler, the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. Media contact for Freightliner LLC: Jeffrey Fisher, 503-745-8535