Academy Bus Expands Fleet with New Order of 10 ENC Axess Transit Buses
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, USA – May 13, 2025 – ElDorado National California Inc. (“ENC”), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., today announced that Academy Express, LLC (“Academy Bus”) has ordered 10 new 40-foot Axess clean diesel buses from ElDorado National California Inc. (“ENC”). The vehicles are expected to deploy next summer in the Boston area, supporting new and existing routes operated by Academy Bus.
The order follows ENC’s announcement of its production restart, after a temporary pause in late 2024. With support from Rivaz – a green energy transportation company – ENC is now fully operational and producing its Altoona-tested transit buses at its Riverside, California facility.
ENC’s Axess buses are among the safest heavy-duty workhorse transit buses available in America. Built on an industry-leading 304-grade stainless steel body structure, the Axess platform offers long-term durability and corrosion resistance – ideal for demanding service environments. Fully accessible and ADA-compliant, Axess buses support multiple floorplans and mobility features to meet diverse rider needs. Every model is Altoona tested and available in clean diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid, and battery-electric propulsion options.
“Academy Bus is a longstanding leader in American transportation, and we’re proud to support their continued growth with additional vehicles that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability,” said Dan Trujillo, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at ENC. “This long-term partnership reflects what ENC stands for – supporting operators across the country with dependable, Buy America-compliant buses built for real-world use.”
Academy Bus is the largest privately owned and operated ground transportation company in the United States, with more than 1,000 buses operating out of 20+ locations from Boston to Miami. Headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, Academy provides charter, commuter, inter-city, contract, and university shuttle services. Powered by a team of over 2,000 employees, Academy’s fleet drives over 20 million miles annually, delivering reliable transportation across the region. The company first purchased transit buses from ENC in 2015.
“Transit buses offer us greater flexibility, reliability, and performance for the high-frequency, high-volume routes we serve,” said Francis Tedesco, President and CEO of Academy Bus. “This order reflects our continued focus on fleet modernization and operational efficiency. Partnering with ENC – an American manufacturer with deep transit experience – helps us ensure we’re delivering quality, durability, and long-term value to the communities we serve.”
“We’re proud to support Academy Bus with American-built vehicles that reflect both the strength of our manufacturing and the trust of our partners,” said Jason Lee, President of ENC. “This order is another step forward in ENC’s mission to deliver reliable, scalable transportation solutions across the country.”
ENC offers Altoona-tested, Buy America-compliant transit buses in 30, 32, 35, and 40-foot lengths. With production resuming at its Riverside facility, ENC is now accepting orders across its full Axess platform – available in battery-electric, diesel-electric hybrid, CNG, and clean diesel. The Axess remains a trusted choice for safe, high-performing, and versatile fleet operations nationwide. Learn more at eldorado-ca.com/axess.
ABOUT ENC®
Founded in 1975, ElDorado National – California (“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 being fully Buy America compliant.
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.
SALES & MEDIA INQUIRIES
Dan Trujillo
Vice President, Sales