GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Attendees of the NAPT Summit Trade Show saw today for the first time IC Bus’ CE Series conventional bus equipped with the Cummins ISB6.7 with SCR emissions after-treatment.
Navistar, the parent of IC Bus, announced the deal in September. IC Bus customers still have the choice to select the MaxxForce 7 or MaxxForce DT engines that use EGR, as the company continues to use engine credits.
“Adding the proven, market-accepted Cummins ISB to the CE Series is a key part of our strategy to provide a new opportunity for growth with those customers who prefer the Cummins ISB for their buses,” said John McKinney, president of Navistar Global Bus. “Customer response has been strong in both interest and orders, and we are encouraged by the long-term market potential.”
Production of the CE Series with Cummins ISB is set to begin in January, stated Navistar.
The company said the CE Series school bus was designed based on the needs of customers—focusing on passenger safety, driver comfort, vehicle durability and serviceability. The driver cockpit incorporates feedback and measurements from more than 1,500 school bus drivers that IC Bus said ensure the bus’ design offers optimum ergonomics, easy-reach features and maximum comfort while driving.
IC Bus also claims the CE was manufactured with more safety features than any other school bus on the market. It offers the widest entry doors in the industry at 32 inches. The CE Series comes standard with a Leave No Student Behind alarm system that requires drivers to disable an alarm at the rear of the bus before exiting, to ensure no student is overlooked.
IC Bus CE Series school buses are built with 16-gauge steel side rails and an 18,500-lb. rear steel spring suspension standard, which IC said offers customers durability and one of the longest-lasting buses on the road today. When service is required, IC said the bus’ Easy-tilt three-piece hood and exterior electrical panel makes maintenance trips quicker and easier, increasing vehicle uptime.
