Academy Bus Expands Fleet With 10 ENC Axess Transit Buses‬

ElDorado National California Inc. (ENC), a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., has announced that Academy Express, LLC (Academy Bus) has ordered 10 new 40-foot Axess clean diesel buses from 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, CA, facility.

“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,” according to a press release. “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,” ENC Vice President, Sales and Marketing Dan Trujillo said. “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.”

The release added: “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-plus locations from Boston to Miami. Headquartered in Hoboken, NJ, 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,” Academy Bus President and CEO Francis Tedesco said. “This order reflects our continued focus on fleet modernization and operational efficiency.”

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. Visit eldorado-ca.com/axess.