For the past 50 years, Sonny Merryman has been synonymous with school buses in Virginia. The iconic yellow bus is the foundation of our company. Other dealers have come and gone, but for more than a half century, we have remained a constant leader in Virginia’s Pupil Transportation community. We are proud to serve as the Virginia’s exclusive activity and school bus dealer for Thomas Built Buses. Sonny Merryman is the nation’s only five-time Thomas Dealer of the Year – recognizing superior customer support and sales achievements.

Since their first bus rolled off the assembly line in 1936, Thomas Built Buses has operated with one simple philosophy: build the kind of bus that we want our own children to ride. This idea drives how Thomas Built Buses and Sonny Merryman do business, from the way our buses are engineered, to our combined commitment to Platinum Support and customer satisfaction. Today, one in every three children in America who rides a bus to school rides a Thomas.

When it comes to safely getting our children to and from school, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We offer a wide range of Thomas Built buses to meet the needs of every school and every student. From the 14-passenger Minotour to the 90-passenger Saf-T-Liner HDX, we have the right vehicle for you. Customize your buses to fit your school system’s specific needs with popular options such as telematics, special needs packages, and various seat belt and passenger restraints. We strive to help you find the right bus to maximize operational efficiency, keep costs down, and your passengers safe. Safety is never compromised.


Jouley electric school bus charging on Proterra charger

Jouley the Electric School Bus

Jouley logoThomas Built Buses has been moving the industry forward for more than 100 years. Now we’re driving it in a whole new way with the Saf-T-Liner® C2 Jouley™ electric bus.

The C2 Jouley is emissions-free, noise pollution-free and fossil fuel-free, helping you save operating costs, and maybe even the planet.

Ideal for in-town routes, the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley electric bus is the latest chapter to providing proven, sustainable solutions today. And tomorrow.

Visit our Jouley page to learn more about the Jouley electric school bus.

Ready to find the right bus? We are dedicated to providing top-of-the-line service and buses you are looking for. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (800) 533-1006 for additional information. We are eager to partner with you!