Daimler has revealed that Durham School Services, which transports students throughout the US, has placed an order with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) for 288 Saf-T-Liner EF school buses with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. Delivery of the vehicles, which are made by Thomas Built Buses, is scheduled to commence in late May 2010. The buses will be used for transporting public school students in Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana.

Thomas Built Buses is the largest supplier of type C and D full-size school buses for Durham School Services, for which it has provided school buses for more than 20 years. Durham School Services, which partners with many school districts in 29 states, operates a fleet of more than 13,500 buses.

Says Martin Daum, president and chief executive officer of DTNA: "In 2004, we delivered the first Saf-T-Liner C2 off the production line from our manufacturing plant in High Point, North Carolina, to Durham. With a long history of working together, we are pleased that Durham School Services also will receive the first buses equipped with selective catalytic reduction."

The buses are equipped with a front-mounted engine and meet the EPA 2010 emissions requirements, due to selective catalytic reduction. DTNA also offers the new SCR technology in all other type C and D Thomas Built school buses to maximise fuel efficiency while meeting new emissions standards.

Thomas Built Buses claims to be the leading manufacturer of school buses in North America, with more than one third of the market and is a subsidiary of DTNA. DTNA produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star, and Thomas Built Buses nameplates.