A Conversation with
Ken Hedgecock of Thomas Built Buses
By Ryan Gray
The vice president of sales, market- ing and service for the High Point, N.C.-based company discusses the state of the school bus industry
School Transportation News: What’s the latest news from Tomas? Ken Hedgecock: Tomas Built Buses is totally prepared to meet 2010
EPA requirements across all of our product lines. In fact, the Montgomery County (Maryland) School District has ordered 59 HDXs with SCR technol- ogy, our first large order. Additionally, we have received about three dozen orders for our Saf-T-Liner C2eHybrid. As displayed at NAPT, Tomas’ ongoing commitment to continuous im-
provement has resulted in some positive changes to our transit products. Tomas Built reconfigured our 2010 EF cockpit, improving upon our func- tionality, driver ergonomics and looks. Te redesigned engine cover allows belts and fluid levels to be checked by the driver without removing the en- gine cover and creates roomier passenger entry. And when engine access is required, no tools are needed. Several driver switches have been re-grouped by function. For example, air conditioning, defroster, and driver’s air and heater switches have been consolidated to the left of the driver and passen- ger loading functions have been grouped to the right. Tomas Built also redesigned and upgraded the Type D electrical system
for the HDX and EF models. One change resulted in strategically routing up- dated wiring and harness packages. Tis streamlines the appearance of the
44 School Transportation News Magazine March 2010
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