Used Freightliner busesFreightliner Buses for Sale
Freightliner supplies chassis used by independent bus body builders. The S2C is a commercial bus chassis for shuttle, transit and tour applications. XB and XCM names refer to motorhome chassis, so check the actual chassis and body rather than treating every Freightliner-based vehicle as the same kind of bus. Seating and installed equipment depend on the completed vehicle.
Why choose a Freightliner bus
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Freightliner's heavy-truck dealer network is one of the largest in North America, which helps with parts and service.
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Medium-duty diesel chassis (M2 and S2C) carry 30-to-45-passenger shuttle bodies with more durability than light-duty cutaways.
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Thomas C2 school buses on the Freightliner platform are among the most common Type C buses in used inventory.
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Wide price range, from retired school buses to nearly new executive coaches.
Freightliner bus specifications and capacity
| Model Family | Typical Capacity | Primary Use | Engine Options | CDL Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 (Freightliner C2 chassis) | 48 - 81 Passengers | School Routes, Activity | Diesel (mostly Cummins), Propane on some used units | Usually yes |
| M2 106 Shuttle (Grech, Glaval, coach bodies) | 30 - 40 Passengers | Executive Shuttle, Tour | Diesel | Usually yes |
| S2C Custom Chassis (Starcraft XL, Turtle Top Odyssey XL, StarTrans President) | 33 - 45 Passengers | Airport, Campus, Paratransit | Diesel | Usually yes |
Find the right Freightliner for your operation
Best for School Districts & Contractors
Thomas C2 buses on Freightliner chassis are a dependable choice for daily routes.
Best for Corporate & Executive Shuttles
M2-based Grech and similar shuttles offer coach-style interiors in a mid-size package.
Best for Airports & Campuses
S2C shuttles from Starcraft, Glaval and Turtle Top handle high-volume loops all day.
Best for Skoolie Conversions
Retired Freightliner-based school buses are popular shells for tiny-home builds.
About Freightliner Buses
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About Freightliner Bus Chassis
Freightliner is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is part of Daimler Truck North America, which also owns Thomas Built Buses. Its Freightliner Custom Chassis unit builds the S2C platform used by many shuttle and walk-in bus builders.
What Buyers Look for in Used Freightliner Buses
Buyers usually compare the body builder, engine (Cummins or Detroit), emissions-system service history (DPF and DEF equipment varies by engine and year, so verify what's installed), mileage, and air-brake condition. For school buses, confirm seat count and state inspection status.
How to Shop Freightliner Inventory on BusesForSale.com
Filter by year, mileage, fuel type and seating, and search "Freightliner" together with "Thomas," "C2," "M2" or "S2C." As of October 2026, priced Freightliner listings on BusesForSale.com ranged from about $15,000 for a 2011 Thomas NJ 54 school bus to $397,500 for a nearly new 2025 Freightliner-based Ultra DX Coachliner.
Did you know?
Most "Freightliner school buses" are Thomas Built Buses. Thomas and Freightliner share the same parent company, so searching both names gives you the full picture.
Featured Freightliner inventory
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2016 Freightliner XBS 43P ADA Trolley
2016 Freightliner XBS 43-Passenger ADA Accessible open air trolley with a unique Classic Trolley body. Cummins Diesel powered with Allison automatic transmission, Braun ADA lift, Wood bench seats and more. This bus has 43 seated positions and many standing room positions, making it a great trolley for large crowds.
2017 Thomas C2 39P ADA
2017 Freightliner Thomas ADA Wheelchair Accessible Schol Bus with a Braun Ability Lift, front and rear air conditioning, Cummins Diesel, Allison automatic transmission, air brakes, air door, tinted glass, seat belts and more. This bus is fresh from Sunny Florida. It was recently retired from daily school bus fleet use and is ready to get back to work. This bus is perfect for any school, camp, campus or fleet operator looking to provide ADA wheelchair accessible school transport.
2017 Thomas 42P ADA Accessible
2017 Freightliner Thomas Saf-T-Liner 39-Passenger ADA wheel chair accessible School Bus a Braun wheel chair lift, air conditioning, air brakes, air door, tinted glass, seat belts for all passengers, 3 wheel chair positions and more. This bus was recently retired from school bus fleet use in Florida and it is ready to get back to work.
2017 Thomas Cummins 48P
2017 Freightliner Thomas C2 Saf-T-Liner 48 Passenger Yellow School Bus with only 74,000 original miles. This is a one owner bus that is fresh from daily school bus fleet use. Fleet maintained and inspected since new and ready to get back to work. This bus is powered by a Cummins Diesel and has an Allison automatic transmission. It has air brakes, an air door, engine brake and more.
2003 Freightliner 28P ADA Chance Trolley
2003 Freightliner AH-28 Chance 28-Passenger Trolley Bus with only 140,000 miles. Cummins diesel powered with Allison automatic transmission. Perfect for weddings, wine tours, schools and campus transportation needs.
Financing and leasing options
Need a payment structure that matches your operation? We help buyers compare financing and leasing options that support faster approvals and predictable monthly costs.
Commercial Financing
Competitive rates for qualified buyers, with terms built for school, contractor, corporate, and fleet shuttle acquisitions.
Leasing Programs
Flexible lease structures for organizations that need predictable monthly costs and regular fleet refresh cycles.
Common Questions
Freightliner bus FAQs
The questions our team hears most about buying a used Freightliner, answered in full.
What bus chassis does Freightliner make?
Freightliner makes bus chassis rather than complete buses, with school, shuttle and coach bodies added by other builders. Its lineup has included the FS-65 school bus chassis (1997 to 2006), the C2/B2 chassis under Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 school buses, the M2 106 for shuttles and party buses, and the S2C from Freightliner Custom Chassis. Freightliner also sold a badged Sprinter van in the US through 2021.
How do Freightliner and International compare for school buses?
Freightliner and International each supply chassis to a sister school bus brand: Freightliner to Thomas Built Buses and International to IC Bus. Freightliner and Thomas both belong to Daimler Truck North America, while International and IC Bus belong to Navistar, owned by Traton since July 2021.
Does Freightliner still sell passenger vans?
No, Freightliner stopped selling vans after the 2021 model year, when its badged Sprinter, mechanically identical to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, was discontinued in the US. Freightliner had sold the Sprinter under its own badge since 2001, and Mercedes-Benz now sells the van under its own name. Dodge also sold the van from 2003 to 2009. Freightliner Sprinters share powertrains and most parts with Mercedes-Benz models, so Mercedes-Benz van dealers can service them.
Do Freightliner buses need a CDL?
Most Freightliner buses need a CDL, because they are usually designed for 16 or more people including the driver. Freightliner M2 106 party buses and shuttles and S2C shuttles typically seat about 24 to 40, which requires a passenger endorsement under federal rules. A bus rated at 26,001 lb GVWR or more also needs a Class B license. Freightliner Sprinter vans with 15 or fewer seats are the main exception. State rules vary.
Does Freightliner make an electric school bus?
Freightliner's electric school bus option is the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley, the battery-electric version of the Thomas C2 built on Freightliner's C2 platform. First-generation Jouleys from 2017 and 2018 had 100 to 160 kWh of battery and a baseline range of about 100 miles. Later Proterra-powered Jouleys use a 226 kWh battery rated for up to about 135 miles.
Not sure which Freightliner fits your route?
Tell us your passenger count, route profile and budget. We will shortlist the Freightliner stock that matches and tell you what is realistic.