Thomas Built Buses, the school bus manufacturing unit of Daimler Trucks North America, has just received its first order for new clean diesel buses. Montgomery County in Maryland has ordered 59 new Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. The SCR system eliminates most nitrogen oxide emissions and allow the buses to meet the 2010 emissions standards for heavier trucks.

The SCR system consists of a urea injection system that breaks down in the hot exhaust into ammonia and water. The ammonia reacts with the NOx to convert it to nitrogen and water. According to Daimler, the SCR-equipped engine also gets better fuel consumption than the previous engine.

[Source: Daimler]


press release

Daimler receives order for 59 US-school buses with clean SCR technology
High Point, USA
,
Dec 21, 2009

  • Thomas Built Buses receives first major order for buses with SCR technology
  • The buses will be delivered to public schools in Montgomery County in 2010
High Point, USA – Thomas Built Buses, Daimler Trucks North America's school bus manufacturer, has received an order for 59 Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses. The contract, which was concluded with Montgomery County in the US state of Maryland, is the first major order for buses with SCR technology received by Thomas Built Buses. In the buses for model year 2010 from Thomas Built Buses, SCR technology reduces fuel consumption and emissions and increases engine performance, thus meeting the new emission standards of EPA 2010.
John O'Leary, President & CEO of Thomas Built Buses, said, "Montgomery County Public Schools is the first customer to order SCR-equipped Thomas Built HDXs. We know that the district's confidence in Thomas Built Buses is built on years of experience with our vehicles and is a reflection of the outstanding relationship and service American Bus Sales offers its customers."
American Bus Sales and Service is the Thomas Built Buses dealer for Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses will be delivered to Montgomery County public schools in summer 2010. Each of the buses seats up to 90 students. The rear engine in the Saf-T-Liner HDX ensures an optimal weight distribution in the bus, regardless of whether or not passengers are on board.

Todd Watkins, Montgomery County Public Schools' director of transportation, said, "We enjoy a long and very cooperative relationship with American Bus Sales and Thomas Built Buses. In the past, we've made suggestions for improvements and the new equipment reflects those changes. Thomas Built Buses is very responsive to its customers."
Thomas Built Buses (www.thomasbus.com) is the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one third of the market. Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America , the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer on the continent 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.