ENC Named Partner of Choice to Support SEPTA’s $43 Million FTA Grant Award
American-built, Altoona-tested, and ready to deliver: ENC stands ready to meet transit agency demand on expedited timelines
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, USA – March 31, 2026 – ENC® (“ENC” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., today announced it has been named the manufacturing partner of choice by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (“SEPTA”) to build new diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace older buses that have reached their useful life. SEPTA was awarded $43 million in competitive grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s (“FTA”) FY25 Low and No Emission (“Low-No”) and Bus and Bus Facilities grant programs to support this procurement.
The funding enables transit agencies to replace aging vehicles with ENC’s AXESS® heavy-duty transit bus, an American-built platform rigorously tested for safety, durability, and performance.
On November 20, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced $2.027 billion in competitive grant funding for 165 transit projects across 45 states and the District of Columbia. The awards will support delivery of 2,400 buses manufactured with American parts and labor, advancing the Administration’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing, improving public transit efficiency and affordability, and supporting job creation in communities nationwide.
“Being named a partner of choice by SEPTA reflects the trust transit agencies have placed in ENC as a proven American manufacturer,” said John Obert, Vice President of Transit Sales, ENC. “For decades, ENC has delivered quality, reliability, and value to public transit operators across the country. This recognition validates our commitment to building buses that agencies and the communities they serve can depend on for years to come.”
The announcement comes as ENC continues to build momentum after restarting production at its Riverside, California facility in 2025, following a brief pause in production during an ownership transition in late 2024. With production now operational and expedited delivery timelines in place, ENC is positioned to deliver on these awards and meet growing demand for low and no emission transit vehicles.
“Our AXESS platform is purpose-built to deliver long-term value for transit agencies and the riders who depend on them every day,” said Obert. “With a 304-grade stainless steel body structure engineered for exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, we help agencies extend vehicle lifecycles, reduce maintenance costs, and deliver safe, reliable service to their communities for the long haul.”
ENC’s Buy America-compliant transit buses are available in 30-, 32-, 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.
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 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.
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