ENC Secures Order From Academy Bus For 10 Additional AXESS Transit Buses
Latest order marks the third from Academy Bus within the past year; adding to its heavy-duty transit bus fleet
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, USA – May 18, 2026 – ENC® (“ENC” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., today announced that Academy Express, LLC (“Academy Bus”) has placed an additional order for ten 40-foot AXESS® heavy-duty clean diesel buses.
The announcement was made during the American Public Transportation Association’s (“APTA”) Mobility Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where ENC is onsite.
This latest commitment follows Academy’s prior 10-bus order and follow-on 15-bus order in 2025, bringing Academy’s cumulative AXESS® purchases from ENC to 35 vehicles. The new buses will support Academy’s contract service operations for existing customers.
ENC’s Altoona-tested AXESS® platform is designed to be among the safest heavy-duty transit buses available in America. Built with a 304-grade stainless steel body structure, it delivers exceptional structural durability and corrosion resistance. Each model is ADA-compliant and configurable with a range of floorplans and mobility features. Propulsion options include clean diesel, compressed natural gas (“CNG”), diesel-electric hybrid, and battery-electric.
“Academy is one of the most respected private operators in North America, and a third consecutive order is the clearest possible validation of the work our team is doing in Riverside,” said Jason Lee, Chief Executive Officer of ENC. “We are proud to support Academy’s growth with vehicles that perform, with people who follow through, and with a partnership we earn order after order.”
Academy Bus is the largest privately owned and operated ground transportation company in the United States, with more than 1,200 buses operating out of over 20 locations from Boston to Miami. Headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, the company provides charter, commuter, inter-city, contract, and university shuttle services. Academy Bus first purchased transit buses from ENC in 2015.
“Repeat business from a fleet of Academy’s caliber is the strongest endorsement a manufacturer can receive,” said John Obert, Vice President of Transit Sales at ENC. “Every AXESS we deliver to Academy is engineered for the durability, accessibility, and operational versatility their service demands, and backed by the responsive support and disciplined execution our customers expect.”
The 10 new buses will be manufactured at ENC’s ISO 9001-certified facility in Jurupa Valley, California, a 227,000-square-foot operation that handles every aspect of production, from frame welding to final inspection. Since assuming ownership of ENC in 2024, Rivaz has invested more than $50 million in facility and equipment upgrades, workforce development and upskilling, and planned expansions.
“Our ongoing experience with ENC has given us full confidence in the quality, reliability, and disciplined build process behind every AXESS bus,” said David Lehmkuhl, Vice President of Real Estate at Academy Bus. “That confidence is what brought us back for a third order. ENC consistently delivers vehicles that perform in demanding service, and we look forward to putting these new buses to work for our customers.”
ENC’s Buy America-compliant transit buses are available in 30-, 32-, 33-, 35-, and 40-foot configurations, offering fleet operators comprehensive sizing flexibility. Propulsion options include clean diesel, compressed natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, and battery-electric configurations. Each model meets full ADA compliance and offers configurable floorplans with comprehensive mobility features designed to serve diverse community needs.
For agencies seeking a mid-size solution, ENC’s E-Z Rider II® delivers operational versatility in 30-, 32-, and 35-foot configurations. It features a distinctive swept windshield design for enhanced driver visibility and ADA-compliant wheelchair accessibility at multiple door locations. ENC’s buses are proudly manufactured end-to-end in Riverside, California. Learn more about ENC’s full product offering at eldorado-ca.com.
ABOUT ENC®
Founded in 1975, ENC is a leading U.S. heavy-duty transit bus manufacturer with over 50 years of experience delivering safe and reliable Altoona-tested vehicles. Headquartered in Riverside, California, ENC manufactures every vehicle end-to-end in the United States and offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive propulsion portfolios, including battery-electric, clean diesel, hybrid, and compressed natural gas buses in multiple configurations.
ENC is an approved Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (“TVM”) under the Federal Transit Administration, with all buses designed to meet federal Buy America requirements.
A subsidiary of Rivaz, Inc., ENC is committed to revitalizing American transit manufacturing and supporting public agencies and transit operators with a commitment to customer service, innovative products, and stable supply. To learn more, visit eldorado-ca.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS
This press release contains forward-looking statements about ENC’s production plans and market positioning, which reflect its current expectations, estimates, and projections about its business based on currently available information and assumptions made by management.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted herein.
References to “clean diesel,” “zero-emission,” or other environmental benefits are based on ENC’s internal assessments and industry standards. These claims are intended to describe the potential environmental benefits of ENC’s products and are not guarantees of specific environmental outcomes. Actual results may vary based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, usage patterns, maintenance practices, and regulatory changes.
Claims that vehicles are manufactured “end-to-end” at ENC’s Riverside, California manufacturing facility means final assembly and significant processing occur at our facility in Riverside, California, and products may use both domestic and imported components. Specific domestic content percentages vary by model and are available upon request.
Statements regarding compliance with “Buy America,” “FTA,” and “Altoona-tested” standards are based on ENC’s current understanding and interpretation of applicable regulations. These statements are subject to change based on future regulatory developments and interpretations. ENC advises customers to verify compliance status at the time of purchase.
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