Though I have stated in earlier posts that I do not have any interest in the Thomas Rear Engine Safe-T-Liner, I am writing this post because this particular bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift.

It is rare that a customer would specify a 77 passenger Type C School Bus or a 90 passenger Type D Front Engine bus with a wheelchair lift. It is even rare that a customer would specify an 84 passenger Type D Rear Engine Bus with a wheelchair lift.

Thomas’s own chassis that they’ve designed and built specifically for their Type D Rear Engine Bus that they have been using since the late 1970’s, has the engine fan placed adjacently to the engine just like the General Motors RM chassis that Thomas had used from the late 1960’s up until they had designed and built their own pusher chassis starting in the late 1970’s.

Superior, Carpenter; and Wayne had also utilized the General Motors RM chassis for their Rear Engine Transit models until the late 1970’s.

Source: Public Surplus: Auction #1817009