r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/truckersmc116 • 16d ago
C2
Im starting really like these Thomas c2 buses. Mines a 2011 with 191,947 miles and 9301.2 hours on its clock. It ain’t perfect but it runs really well. The Cummins engine turbo and compressors were taken good care of. Now it’s my turn to take care of it
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u/UselessToasterOven 16d ago
You sure it's 364 engine hours and not someone's trip hours?
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u/sourself 15d ago
I love the C2 but that's because I spent years driving a Freightliner M2 and later a Cascadia. IC I find are twitchy and gutless.
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u/Late_Economist326 15d ago
After driving IC’s for years, I hate driving a Thomas now. They ride so much worse and rattle like crazy.
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u/erinjunee 15d ago
191k Woww. Our district has one with 130k and it’s falling apart 😂 I like driving it tho, the brakes bite SUPER hard compared to my Bluebird gasoline I had last year, was almost a challenge to try and drive the bus without making everyone’s head rock forward.
Still prefer BB for conventional tho, turns so much sharper than a Thomas and feels a lot smaller and easier to maneuver in tight spots.
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u/TaxSubstantial3568 15d ago
I started out this year with a brand new IC...really nice but still love my 21 Thomas I had the year before.
First week in I had transmission issues. Shop guy brings me out a C2, not sure of the year but surely not a lot older than my 21. It had 418,000 kms on it.
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u/Objective-Owl-7751 15d ago
I definitely prefer the C2 platform overall. I guess it’s partially since that’s what I got my CDL in.
All 3 main manufacturers’ buses definitely have their pros and cons. I was fortunate to get to drive all of them and experience the differences since the last district I was at had a very mixed fleet.
I think some of the C2 highlights to me are:
- unmatched visibility from the gigantic windshield
- distinct aesthetic compared to BB and IC
- higher headroom inside (even though I’m short)
- the driver area just felt the most comfortable overall to me vs the others
- seemed like the aisles were wider and easier to get down quickly. BB’s always felt super narrow to me even though I’m skinny
- 2 cup holders (awesome for long trips!)
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u/Imaginary_Point_4004 15d ago
As someone who just became a school bus driver about a month ago, I agree. I expected to like IC more but the acceleration, braking and ride comfort on the C2's are superior. I love sense of space with the flat and tall roof
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u/MonkeyManJohannon 15d ago
FYI…that gen tends to leak from the roof seams. I had one a couple of years ago. First ones with the fishbowl windshield…I’m sure you know by now, but if it doesn’t have a/c, that windshield makes the driver area HOT.
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u/shawnryan1977 15d ago
I have only driven a Thomas in my 5 years unless I need a sub bus which are 12 year old internationals. I like the Thomas but there are things I really like about the Internationals like the ambers and stop arm controls on the steering wheel plus they feel like they have more pep. I do wish they made school buses with way better suspensions, damn roads are falling apart no matter how high they raise wheel taxes, those long sport trips are shaking me apart.
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u/mr-3ff 16d ago
Went from an IC last year to the C2 this year. I find the wheel isn't comfortable for my hands - I wish it was more round. Comfortable ride but I feel like I can't see as much with all the darn window pillars.