Antelope Valley Transit Authority
 | |
 The first all electric zero emission bus built in Lancaster, California; layover at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park, July 13, 2017. | |
| Parent | Cities of Palmdale, Lancaster and Metro. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1992 |
| Locale | Antelope Valley |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit |
| Alliance | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metrolink (Southern California) |
| Routes | 14 |
| Operator | Transdev |
| Website | avta.com |
Antelope Valley Transit Authority is the transit agency serving the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster and Northern Los Angeles County. Antelope Valley Transit Authority is operated under contract by Transdev, and is affiliated with and offers connecting services with Metro and Metrolink.
History
The cities of Palmdale and Lancaster and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works jointly created the Antelope Valley Transit Authority in 1992 to meet the growing need for public transportation in the Antelope Valley. AVTA began local transit service on July 1, 1992 with three types of services: Transit, Commuter and Dial-A-Ride. A fourth service, Access Services, was created in 1996 to provide the disabled with a local complementary paratransit service in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act. AVTA openedd a larger facility in 2004 to accommodate increased demand.
On March 17, 2017, the system suffered a temporary strike by its drivers. The dispute was between the driver's union Teamsters Local 848 and the system operator Transdev. After making their statement, the drivers elected to return to service by March 19 while negotiations between the parties continued.[1] However the drivers went on strike again, May 3 was the third walkout which lasted at least a week.[2] As the dispute continued, drivers were locked out on August 22.[3]
About AVTA
AVTA has tripled the number of passenger trips in just over a decade of operation. To keep up with the increased need for transit services, AVTA recently opened a new, larger maintenance facility in Lancaster.
AVTA pays for a much higher share of its costs through fares compared to other transit systems in Los Angeles County.
AVTA offers some of its customers an innovative program designed to assist those in need, as well as a program to show appreciation to our armed forces,
AVTA permits seniors and passengers who have a disability, with proper ID, to utilize its local bus system for free, during regular business hours. Pam Holland, spokesperson for AVTA, says, "This program offers those in need, a hand up, in their everyday life, some of which can't even afford a car, let alone bus fare, now have the freedom, to use our system throughout the Antelope Valley, going grocery shopping, paying their bills, or going to their doctor's appointment for free on our local fixed routes, we are happy to offer this service, as well as, letting our military ride the local transit system for free as well, in appreciation of their sacrifice to our country."
In 2017, AVTA became the first transit agency in the United States to operate a 60-foot, articulated electric bus.[4][5]
Awards
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recognized AVTA as an “Efficient Transit System”. The California Transit Association gave a “Transit Innovation Award” to AVTA in 1998 and a “Transit Image Award” in 1999.
Commuter Services
Commuter Services provides service to and from to major places of employment outside of the Antelope Valley (Routes 785-787). Commuter Services service is only operated Monday - Friday.
References
- ↑ "After strike, bus service will resume in the Antelope Valley Sunday". dailynews.com. 19 March 2017.
- ↑ Nelson, Laura J. "Antelope Valley transit service stalls as bus operator strike continues". latimes.com.
- ↑ "AVTA local service suspended indefinitely". theavtimes.com.
- ↑ Heild, Colleen (January 20, 2018). "ART is a victim of the 'new bus blues'". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, NM: Journal Publishing Company. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ↑ "BYD : First 60-Foot Articulated Battery-Electric Bus in North America Hits the Streets in Antelope Valley". 4-traders. May 6, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.