ENC (formerly referred to as ElDorado National California Inc. ® ), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., today announced that Academy Express, LLC (“Academy Bus”) has placed a follow-on order for 15 additional 40-foot AXESS ® clean diesel buses.
This second order complements a previous order for 10 buses of the same configuration and
expands Academy’s growing fleet.
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.
“This follow-on order reflects Academy’s continued confidence in our product and our team’s
ability to deliver on time, on promise, and with a true sense of partnership,” said Dan Trujillo,
Vice President of Sales at ENC. “We are proud to support Academy’s operational growth with
safe, durable vehicles – backed by responsive support, hands-on service, and a commitment to
doing things right.”
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 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.
The 15 new buses will be manufactured at ENC’s ISO 9001-certified facility in Riverside,
California – a nearly 227,000 square-foot operation that handles all aspects of production from
frame welding to final inspection. The facility resumed operations earlier this year following a
temporary pause in late 2024 and is now fully operational and accepting new orders.
“ENC has proven to be a trusted partner, and we’re confident in the product quality, leadership,
and manufacturing processes they’ve put in place,” said David Lehmkuhl, Vice President of Real
Estate at Academy Bus. “With this latest order, we’re reinforcing our long-term fleet strategy of
continuing to invest in performance, reliability, and strong supplier relationships. We look
forward to seeing these new vehicles roll off the line and into service in the coming months.”
ENC’s Buy America-compliant transit buses are available in 30-, 32-, 35-, and 40-foot lengths.
The AXESS platform remains a trusted choice for public and private fleets nationwide, delivering
safety, performance, and operational versatility. Learn more at eldorado-ca.com/axess .