DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America SLF 200
| DaimlerChrysler SLF 200 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Thomas Dennis SLF 235 | |
| Years of manufacture | 1999 to 2007 |
| Length | 29 to 35 feet |
| Width | 102 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel, CNG |
The DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America SLF 200 (usually shortened to SLF) was a low floor midibus. The bus was the product of a joint venture between Dennis and Thomas Built Buses known as Thomas Dennis. Beginning in 2003, SLF was sold via the Orion direct sales organization and through DaimlerChrysler Commercial Bus dealers. All SLF buses under DaimlerChrysler received the "SLF200" badge in lieu of the Thomas badge.
Models
| Model number | Debut | Length |
|---|---|---|
| SLF 229 | 2003 | 29' |
| SLF 230 | 1999 | 30' |
| SLF 232 CNG | 2001 | 32' |
| SLF 235 | 2002 | 35' |
Design
The Thomas Dennis SLF was a left-hand drive version of the Dennis Dart SLF with a Alexander ALX200 body. The first few demonstrators and prototypes were fully built in the United Kingdom by Dennis and Alexander. Later buses were manufactured in England and then delivered to the United States in a completely knocked down (CKD) form with final assembly at the Thomas plant in Greensboro, North Carolina. Full production at the North Carolina plant later followed.
The early demonstrators and prototypes had the more narrow European standard width and lower profile front and rear bumpers. Some production units would keep these bumpers, but others would sport the thicker bumpers commonly found on other North American buses. All later production units would also used the North American 102-inch width.
When the 35 foot SLF 235 was introduced, the radiator was moved from the open side to the closed side. The larger radiator protruded into the passenger cabin and took up some of the space for the two rearmost closed side seats. Therefore, those seats were moved up.
All SLF models used a roof mounted HVAC, except for the CNG-powered SLF 232. The bus sported roof mounted CNG tanks in an enclosure, and the HVAC was moved to the space behind the rear seats. This also added length to the bus.
As a DaimlerChrysler product, the SLF was made available with a four or six cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine. The SLF 230's engine compartment was modified with the radiator moved to the closed side, but unlike the SLF 235, it does not intrude into the rearmost row of seats. This model was known as the SLF 229.
Specifications
| Engine |
|---|
| Cummins ISB |
| Cummins B Gas Plus (CNG) |
| Mercedes-Benz MBE904 |
| Mercedes-Benz MBE906 |
| Transmission |
| Allison 2000 Series |
| Allison AT-545 |
| Allison B300R |
| Axles |
| Front: Dana I-beam |
| Rear: Dana 19060S |
| HVAC |
| Carrier (rear mounted, on CNG models) |
| Thermo King LRT I (roof mounted, on diesel models) |
| Doors |
| 42" Deans air operated slide glide front and centre doors |
| Glazing |
| Gasket |
| Bonded |
Operators
Canada 
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority LINK - Mississauga, ON
- Kingston Transit - Kingston, ON
- Regina Transit - Regina, SK
- Sarnia Transit - Sarnia, ON
- Sault Ste. Marie Transit - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
- St. Albert Transit - St. Albert, AB
- Strathcona County Transit - Sherwood Park, AB
- Swift Current Tele-Bus - Swift Current, SK
- Timmins Transit - Timmins, ON
- York Region Transit (YRT) - York Region, ON
United States 
- ABQ RIDE - Albuquerque, NM
- Advantage Rent-A-Car - Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Annapolis Transit - Annapolis, MD
- Arlington Transit (ART) - Arlington County, VA
- BAT Community Connector - Bangor, ME
- Blue Water Area Transit - Port Huron, MI
- Bull Runner Transit - University of South Florida, Tampa, FL area
- Cedar Rapids Transit - Cedar Rapids, IA
- City of El Monte Trolley Company - El Monte, CA
- Dollar Rent-A-Car - Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Grand Valley Transit - Grand Junction, CO
- Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) - Cleveland, OH
- Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (operated by First Transit) - Lynchburg, VA
- Harvard University Shuttle Services - Harvard University, MA
- High Point Transit System (Hi-Tran) - High Point, NC
- Keeshin Charter Service (Coach USA company) - Chicago, IL
- Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee - Lewiston and Auburn, ME
- LexTran - Lexington, KY
- MET Transit - Waterloo, IA
- Metropolitan Area Commuter System - Fairbanks, AK
- Montgomery Area Transit System (MATS) - Montgomery, AL
- MTA Maryland - Baltimore, MD
- North County Transit District - North San Diego County, CA
- Omnitrans - San Bernardino County, CA
- People Mover - Anchorage, AK
- Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority - Portage County, OH
- Riverside Transit Agency - Riverside, CA
- Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines (Big Blue Bus) - Santa Monica, CA
- Santa Rosa CityBus - Santa Rosa, CA
- ShuttleBus - Biddeford, Saco & Old Orchard Beach, ME
- South Portland Bus Service - South Portland, ME
- Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) - Brevard County, FL
- Sun Tran - Tucson, AZ
- The Bus - Prince George's County, MD
- The Rapid - Grand Rapids, MI
- Thousand Oaks Transit - Thousand Oaks, CA
- TransIT Services of Frederick County (TransIT) - Frederick County, MD
- Valley Metro - Roanoke, VA
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) - Washington, DC
Demonstrator and engineering units
Below is a list of known demonstrators and engineering bues
