ENC, a U.S.-based transit bus manufacturer and a subsidiary of Rivaz Inc., 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 the end of 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 Opportunity for ENC

In November 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 the 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, VP, 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, said Obert.

“Our AXESS platform is purpose-built to deliver long-term value for transit agencies and the riders who depend on them every day,” he explained. “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.”

Now Available

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 floor plans with comprehensive mobility features designed to serve diverse community needs.