KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Trans Tech unveiled its new 20-passenger, aerodynamic Trans Star school bus built on a Ford Transit chassis in both gasoline and diesel configurations at the 42nd Annual NAPT Summit Trade Show.
Trans Tech officials said the new Type A features enhanced driver visibility of students and pedestrians outside the bus. It also offers improved driver ergonomics, driver airbags, the company’s proprietary Versa-Track seating for passengers and easier access for mechanics to service the electrical system and to replace parts.
The newly engineered design on the Transit is expected to increase fuel economy for customers, the company added.
“I think the industry will be quite impressed with the Trans Star,” said John Phraner president of Trans Tech. “It is a bus driver’s bus that is easy to operate and extremely versatile (It’s) the best looking school bus—built on the Ford Transit chassis—on the market.”
The Trans Star is powered by a 6-speed automatic overdrive transmission with SelectShift and either a 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 gasoline engine with 275 hp and 260 pounds per foot of torque, or a 3.2L Powerstroke I-5 engine 185 hp and 360 pounds per foot of torque.
With GM leaving the diesel engine market a couple of years ago, the Star Trans currently represents the only Ford Transit chassis available to Type A school buses body builders with a diesel option, a company representative told STN when the bus was unveiled on Nov. 8 during the NAPT Summit Trade Show.
The bus also has a 25-gallon fuel tank with a gross vehicle rating of 10,360 pounds, a wheelbase of 156 inches and a length of 238 inches.
It comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.
The Type A bus also features pan-form, 14-gauge galvanized steel floors to protect against crashes and to repel water for corrosion protection and a bolted safety cage provides enhanced crash protection.
Trans Tech said the electrical system is engineered to be easy to service.
