ENC

[Mr.Transit]

We'll see what the new year brings for them, the topic will continue.

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, Mr.Transit said:

We'll see what the new year brings for them, the topic will continue.

It doesn't seem worth it.

Also, I believe you said the first clause before.

[MetroShadow]

Welp: they'll restart production in June.

 

https://www.metro-magazine.com/10239790/enc-to-restart-transit-bus-production-deliveries-under-new-ownership?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5VbTUGa1gySwuGO7M1jRWp8GmaS9gHSQ-o8GCKSRmOUxs8D0F4F6W96e9kag_aem_G0RUV86H-MXejJMND68fNw

[Busjack]

6 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

Welp: they'll restart production in June.

 

https://www.metro-magazine.com/10239790/enc-to-restart-transit-bus-production-deliveries-under-new-ownership?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5VbTUGa1gySwuGO7M1jRWp8GmaS9gHSQ-o8GCKSRmOUxs8D0F4F6W96e9kag_aem_G0RUV86H-MXejJMND68fNw

Ar least they can get a press release republished.

[Mr.Transit]

They also updated their website several weeks ago.

[Glennwood Road Ent.]

Is ENC promoting new buses for 50th anniversary edition for this year under Rivaz ownership? 

[Mr.Transit]

Highly unlikely, I think they'll focus on their current models, interesting it mentions on their website that their hydrogen fuel bus will be available in early 2027.

[Glennwood Road Ent.]

Thanks. 

[NewFlyerMCI]

This reminds me, seeing it should've been a red flag, but I completely forgot they went out of business, but they were at APTA Mobility in early April and I snagged some pics during the expo

[NewFlyerMCI]

Also, very confused on why ENC still offers the EZ Rider II when it's functionally similar to the Axess, which is available in 32' & 35', leaving 30' exclusive to EZ Rider II & 40' exclusive to Axess. Same power offerings (diesel, CNG, hybrid), similar engine overlap, similar default floorplans/door options, presumably similar customizations, etc

[artthouwill]

6 hours ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

Also, very confused on why ENC still offers the EZ Rider II when it's functionally similar to the Axess, which is available in 32' & 35', leaving 30' exclusive to EZ Rider II & 40' exclusive to Axess. Same power offerings (diesel, CNG, hybrid), similar engine overlap, similar default floorplans/door options, presumably similar customizations, etc

I need an explanation too.  When I called Pace's newer model  30' buses EZ Riders, I was told they were Axxess buses.  So based on what you've said,  those buses are EZ Riders  (II) unless they are 32'.    

Perhaps at some point they will simplify their offerings.   Maybe they could make everything less than 35' EZ Riders or just eliminate EZ Riders altogether and call everything Axxess.  I think EZ Riders could stick around for airport shuttles, rental car shuttles,  and Axxess buses be dedicated to transit agencies 

[Busjack]

12 hours ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

Also, very confused on why ENC still offers the EZ Rider II when it's functionally similar to the Axess, which is available in 32' & 35', leaving 30' exclusive to EZ Rider II & 40' exclusive to Axess. Same power offerings (diesel, CNG, hybrid), similar engine overlap, similar default floorplans/door options, presumably similar customizations, etc

Doesn't even seem exclusive to 30' as old ENC said that the Pace 20300s were Axess, but maybe because Pace solicited 30'and 40' buses on the same spec. Note that the 20300s and 22300s have the roof "wings," even though they aren't hiding anything.

[NewFlyerMCI]

10 hours ago, artthouwill said:

I need an explanation too.  When I called Pace's newer model  30' buses EZ Riders, I was told they were Axxess buses.  So based on what you've said,  those buses are EZ Riders  (II) unless they are 32'.    

Perhaps at some point they will simplify their offerings.   Maybe they could make everything less than 35' EZ Riders or just eliminate EZ Riders altogether and call everything Axxess.  I think EZ Riders could stick around for airport shuttles, rental car shuttles,  and Axxess buses be dedicated to transit agencies 

9 hours ago, Busjack said:

Doesn't even seem exclusive to 30' as old ENC said that the Pace 20300s were Axess, but maybe because Pace solicited 30'and 40' buses on the same spec. Note that the 20300s and 22300s have the roof "wings," even though they aren't hiding anything.

The last Pace EZ Rider IIs are 8624-8630, which have BRT-styling, something that I thought was exclusive to Axess buses, but now seems to be the default option for EZ Rider II now, while Axess was always BRT-styling from the jump. 20300s and 22300s are also Axess BRT 30', but it looks like production on the 30' Axess buses has been discontinued, seeing as it's no longer available as an option on ENCs website. Then I took a look back via Wayback to 2018, and Axess was only offered in 35' & 40, jumped ahead to 2021, same thing (EZ Rider II available in 30' 32' & 35' each year).

My guess is with their whole standard chassis thing and with EZ Rider II only now availble with BRT styling, they can basically just mix and match whatever they want and call it whatever they want. I checked ENC's VINs back to 2018 and Pace is the only agency with a 30' Axess (35' Axess is more common)

[Busjack]

13 hours ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

The last Pace EZ Rider IIs are 8624-8630, which have BRT-styling, something that I thought was exclusive to Axess buses, but now seems to be the default option for EZ Rider II now, while Axess was always BRT-styling from the jump. 20300s and 22300s are also Axess BRT 30', but it looks like production on the 30' Axess buses has been discontinued, seeing as it's no longer available as an option on ENCs website. Then I took a look back via Wayback to 2018, and Axess was only offered in 35' & 40, jumped ahead to 2021, same thing (EZ Rider II available in 30' 32' & 35' each year).

My guess is with their whole standard chassis thing and with EZ Rider II only now availble with BRT styling, they can basically just mix and match whatever they want and call it whatever they want. I checked ENC's VINs back to 2018 and Pace is the only agency with a 30' Axess (35' Axess is more common)

If you look back

• The BRT only styling was the case when the Schaumbrg Trolleys were purchased, which probably were the last Pace EZ Riders.
• As also demonstrated at that time, Pace advertised its own specifications, to which Gtllig did not respond. After the procurement for 47-135 CNGs for Wheeling was sidelined, Pace went to buying off multijurisdictional contracts. I don't know the status of LaDOT, is, but this roster indicates that after using Pace-spec buses (references to rear destination signs), it went to electric buses. Having lost its largest customers, maybe it picks up some shuttle operators, but isn't competitive with NF and Gillig.
   

[NewFlyerMCI]

1 hour ago, Busjack said:

If you look back

• The BRT only styling was the case when the Schaumbrg Trolleys were purchased, which probably were the last Pace EZ Riders.
• As also demonstrated at that time, Pace advertised its own specifications, to which Gtllig did not respond. After the procurement for 47-135 CNGs for Wheeling was sidelined, Pace went to buying off multijurisdictional contracts. I don't know the status of LaDOT, is, but this roster indicates that after using Pace-spec buses (references to rear destination signs), it went to electric buses. Having lost its largest customers, maybe it picks up some shuttle operators, but isn't competitive with NF and Gillig.
   

• Ah, I missed that 8624-8630 were the trolleys. That makes 2826-2829 in 2011 the first Pace EZ Rider IIs with BRT styling, and the order before that was the flat-fronted EZ Rider II MAX (2767-2825)
• Small midwest, plains and CA agencies seem to be it for them, in addition to what you've said, unless LACMTA can rescue them

[Busjack]

19 minutes ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

• Ah, I missed that 8624-8630 were the trolleys. That makes 2826-2829 in 2011 the first Pace EZ Rider IIs with BRT styling, and the order before that was the flat-fronted EZ Rider II MAX (2767-2825)
• Small midwest, plains and CA agencies seem to be it for them, in addition to what you've said, unless LACMTA can rescue them

This roster indicates about 550 buses, seems like a lot on contrctor routes. Again, recent purchases were of BEBs.

[Busjack]

According to a Press Release, ENC sold 2 hybrid buses to Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties. Along with 25 buses for Academy, that's 27 more than Nexus.

[Mr.Transit]

Also, even more than Millennium Transit.

[Mr.Transit]

ENC has won a contract with the LA Metro for 220 BEB bus with an option for 1,600 more...they beat out NFI and BYD  for it...the source of the article the Sustainable Bus website.

[Busjack]

22 minutes ago, Mr.Transit said:

ENC has won a contract with the LA Metro for 220 BEB bus with an option for 1,600 more...they beat out NFI and BYD  for it...the source of the article the Sustainable Bus website.

Here's the link for the above.

I was wondering how RIDE (BYD) was eligible, but the article says it was a state grant. But as it turns out, that didn't matter.

Next question: Will ENC be bidding on the CTA/Pace solicitation closing (as of now) Oct. 2? Stay tuned.

[Busjack]

In other APTA concept news,* ENC displayed the Zavir, a battery electric or gas generator electric shuttle bus. While it looks like a van, they say the difference is that it was engineered from scratch, instead of being a cutaway conversion with a lift.

__________________

*and connected to the discussion with @MetroShadow on whether there is demand for a mid-bus.

[MetroShadow]

3 hours ago, Busjack said:

In other APTA concept news,* ENC displayed the Zavir, a battery electric or gas generator electric shuttle bus. While it looks like a van, they say the difference is that it was engineered from scratch, instead of being a cutaway conversion with a lift.

__________________

*and connected to the discussion with @MetroShadow on whether there is demand for a mid-bus.

Well, that helps the X-Small and Cutaway market, since those (and the E/F-550 chassis) have been limited.

Granted, it might not apply to this region, but if you're in Kankakee or Kendall and are looking for a sub-28' bus...

[Busjack]

On 9/29/2026 at 1:55 AM, Mr.Transit said:

ENC has won a contract with the LA Metro for 220 BEB bus with an option for 1,600 more...they beat out NFI and BYD  for it...the source of the article the Sustainable Bus website.

 

On 9/29/2026 at 2:08 AM, Busjack said:

Here's the link for the above....

More info from the LACMTA official board record:

• The base order is for 220 buses, but there are options for 1600 options. Exercise of the options requires board approval, and the board may rebid the options. There are other conditions including "Demonstrated operational reliability, range, efficiency, and technical performance of delivered BEBs in revenue service."
• "Rivaz Inc. is a clean-tech company based in Pasadena involved in extracting critical battery materials and manufacturing zero-emission commercial vehicles." (At least, that's finally answered.)

The Procurement Summary further states:

• The bidders in the competitive range were ENC, NF, and RIDE.
• ENC outscored the other two on the evaluation criteria.
• ENC was $37 million less than RIDE and and $74 million less than NF.

Finally, my conclusion is that staff relied on ENC's past performance with LACMTA, Pace, and other agencies, saying only "ENC temporarily paused operations in late 2024 during an ownership transition."