Saf-T-Liner C2

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The Saf-T-Liner C2 is a type C school bus produced by Thomas Built Buses which was introduced in the fall of 2004. It is easily distinguished from contemporary school buses because it has a low, sloped hood and a large, curved windshield. The windshield is sloped back and corners on the bus's front end are smoothed out to produce a more streamlined appearance. Even the flashing warning lights at the top of the vehicle are made flush with the windscreen.

In addition to a unique outward appearance, the bus makes use of modern manufacturing techniques. Many joints use adhesive bonding, reducing or eliminating the need for welds or rivets in many cases. Where required, self-piercing rivets are used, which ideally do not punch through the bottom layer of the metals being joined together, thus reducing the chance that rivets will become the source of leaks in the future.

While the large windshield is an obvious place where there is more window area, other windows have been expanded on the bus as well, both increasing viewing area and increasing the size of emergency exits which are in removable window frames. The rear windows and door have also been expanded compared to previous Thomas buses.

Another claimed innovation is the introduction of a multiplexed wiring system, where multiple electrical devices communicate over the same wires, rather than being individually wired. This reduces the number of wires running through the vehicle, which can help reduce maintenance in the future. In the system used in the C2, it also has the advantage that switches on the control panel next to the driver can be rearranged to suit the driver and continue to function without any rewiring or reprogramming.

The C2 is successor to the Thomas/Frieghtliner FS-65, which ended production on December 13, 2004. That line had a history extending back to 1972, although the FS-65 itself was introduced in 1995. C2 buses are built at a $40 million manufacturing facility in High Point, North Carolina.