Antelope Valley Transit Authority

Last updated
Antelope Valley Transit Authority
AVTA logo.png
AVTA 4371, BYD K-9.jpg
The first all electric zero emission bus built in Lancaster, California; layover at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park, July 13, 2017.
ParentCities of Palmdale, Lancaster and Metro.
Founded1992
Locale Antelope Valley
Service type bus service, paratransit
Alliance Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metrolink (California)
Routes20
Fleet94 buses
Daily ridership5,900 (weekdays, Q4 2023) [1]
Annual ridership1,523,700 (2023) [2]
Fuel type battery electric
Operator MV Transportation
Website www.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 MV Transportation, and is affiliated with and offers connecting services with Metro and Metrolink. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,523,700, or about 5,900 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Routes

Local routes

RouteTerminalsViaNotes
1

[3]

Lancaster

The Boulevard Transit Center

Palmdale

South Valley Transit Center

10th St
2

[4]

Palmdale

Antelope Valley Mall

Palmdale

South Valley Transit Center

Avenue R
3

[5]

Palmdale

Antelope Valley Mall

Palmdale

South Valley Transit Center

Avenue S
  • Serves Palmdale Transportation Center
4

[6]

Lancaster

The Boulevard Transit Center

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

20th St
5

[7]

Palmdale

67th St & Ave L-15

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Avenue L
7

[8]

Palmdale

Palmdale Transportation Center

Lancaster

The Boulevard Transit Center

Rancho Vista Bl
8

[9]

Lancaster

Antelope Valley College

Palmdale

Palmdale Bl & 25th St

Sierra Hwy
  • Serves Palmdale Transportation Center
9

[10]

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Lancaster

Quartz Hill High School

Avenue I
  • Serves Lancaster Metrolink Station
11

[11]

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Lancaster

Avenue J & 20th St

Avenue I
12

[12]

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Lancaster

Avenue J & 20th St

Avenue J
  • Serves Antelope Valley College
50

[13]

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Lake Los Angeles

170th St & Avenue O

Avenue K
51

[14]

Palmdale

Palmdale Transportation Center

Lake Los Angeles

170th St & Avenue O

Palmdale Bl
52

[15]

Palmdale

South Valley Transit Center

Pearblossom

Avenue V-10 & 121st St

Pearblossom Hwy

School Supplementary routes

Services operate weekdays only

RouteTerminalsViaNotes
94

[16]

Lancaster

Owen memorial Park

Lancaster

Antelope Valley High School

Avenue K
97

[17]

Lancaster

Quartz Hill High School

Palmdale

Palmdale transportation Center

Rancho Vista Bl
  • Serves Antelope Valley College
98

[18]

Palmdale

Knight High School

Palmdale

Palmdale transportation Center

Avenue K, Avenue S

Commuter routes

Commuter services operate weekdays only in the peak direction. As of 04/09/2024, service has been temporarily suspended until further notice due to issues with the batteries in AVTA's commuter buses.

RouteTerminalsViaNotes
785
[19]
Lancaster
Owen Memorial Park
Downtown Los Angeles
Union Station
I-5, SR 14, US 101
786
[20]
Lancaster
Owen Memorial Park
Hollywood
Santa Monica Bl & La Brea Av
SR 14, I-405
787
[21]
Lancaster
Owen Memorial Park
Tarzana
Ventura Bl & Reseda Bl
SR 14, SR 118
790
[22]
Palmdale
Palmdale Transportation Center
Santa Clarita
Newhall station
SR 14

Bus fleet

Active fleet

Make/Model [24] TypeFleet NumbersYearNotes
GPMC EV Star25’ cutaway van 27901-279082019
BYD K7M-ER 30’30301-303082023
BYD K8M 35’35301-353032023
BYD K9S 3535601-356032016
356042017
BYD K9 40’40450-404512013
BYD K9M 40’40089-400902020
40301-403102023
40856-408752018
407L1-407L32017
40976-409882019
MCI D45 CRT LE CHARGE 45’ coach 45101-451242021Removed from service as of April 9th, 2024 due to safety issues found with XALT high-voltage batteries [25]
BYD K11M 60’ articulated 60314-603182023
60701-60705, 60707-607112017
60906, 60912-609132017

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 opened a larger facility in 2004 to accommodate increased demand.

On March 17, 2017, AVTA drivers struck. 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. [26] However the drivers went on strike again, May 3 was the third walkout which lasted at least a week. [27] As the dispute continued, drivers were locked out on August 22. [28]

In 2017, AVTA became the first transit agency in the United States to operate a 60-foot, articulated electric bus, manufactured by BYD in Lancaster. [29] [30]

In 2018, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority began to charge its electric buses on special wireless charging pads located along bus routes. [31]

In January 2019, AVTA began commuter service to Edwards Air Force Base. Later that year, AVTA celebrated two significant milestones in its conversion to an all-electric fleet, achieving both a one million (May), then two million (December), zero emission miles driven. The service has been suspended since the start of the pandemic.

In May 2022, AVTA drivers struck. The dispute was about unfair labor practices with Teamsters Union 848 and Transdev. The contract expired and MV Transportation took over operations as of June 2022.

Discounts

Senior citizens, people with disabilities, active military, and veterans may ride AVTA local buses free of charge with proper ID. Up to 4 children up to 44 inches tall may ride with an adult free of charge. [32]

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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmdale, California</span> City in California, United States

Palmdale is a city in northern Los Angeles County in the U.S. state of California. The city lies in the Antelope Valley of Southern California. The San Gabriel Mountains separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles Basin to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority</span> Public transport agency in Los Angeles County, California, United States

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), branded as Metro, is the county agency that plans, operates, and coordinates funding for most of the public transportation system in Los Angeles County, California, the most populated county in the United States, and the largest public transit agency in the county as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foothill Transit</span>

Foothill Transit is a public transit agency that is government funded by 22 member cities in the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. It operates a fixed-route bus public transit service in the San Gabriel Valley region of eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, as well as a rapid bus route to and from downtown Los Angeles from the El Monte Busway, and a few of its local routes reach the far northern and western edge cities of neighboring Orange and San Bernardino counties, respectively. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 7,859,200, or about 27,500 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antelope Valley</span> Valley in Southern California, United States

The Antelope Valley is located in northern Los Angeles County, California, United States, and the southeast portion of California's Kern County, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert. It is situated between the Tehachapi, Sierra Pelona, and the San Gabriel Mountains. The valley was named for the pronghorns that roamed there until they were all eliminated in the 1880s, mostly by hunting, or resettled in other areas. The principal cities in the Antelope Valley are Palmdale and Lancaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metrolink (California)</span> Commuter rail system in the United States

Metrolink is a commuter rail system in Southern California, serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, as well as to Oceanside in San Diego County. The system consists of eight lines and 69 stations operating on 545.6 miles (878.1 km) of track. Arrow is operated under a contract with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynx (Orlando)</span> Public transportation service in Orlando, Florida

Lynx is a transit system serving the greater Orlando, Florida area. Operated by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, it provides bus, curb-to-curb, and paratransit services in three counties: Orange, Seminole, and Osceola. Bus routes are referred to as Links.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antelope Valley Line</span> Metrolink commuter rail line linking Downtown Los Angeles to Northern Los Angeles County

The Antelope Valley Line is a commuter rail line that serves the Northern Los Angeles County area as part of the Metrolink system. The northern segment of the line is rural in character because it travels through the sparsely populated Soledad Canyon between Santa Clarita and Palmdale, serving the small community of Acton along the way. Other portions of its route parallel the former US Route 6, now San Fernando Road and Sierra Highway. This is the only Metrolink line contained entirely within Los Angeles County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interurban Transit Partnership</span> Public transit system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

The Interurban Transit Partnership, branded as The Rapid, is the public transit operator serving Grand Rapids, Michigan and its suburbs. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,239,500, or about 23,800 per weekday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority</span>

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides area residents and visitors public transportation within parts of Charleston and Dorchester counties in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, including the cities of Charleston, North Charleston and the surrounding communities of Mount Pleasant, Summerville, James Island, Sullivan's Island, and the Isle of Palms. CARTA presently contracts with Transdev for staffing and managing the bus drivers in addition to maintaining and scheduling the buses. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,191,500, or about 7,100 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Santa Clarita Transit</span> Public transit agency serving the Santa Clarita Valley

City of Santa Clarita Transit is a local bus service, administered by the City's transit division, that serves the City of Santa Clarita, California and nearby surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,111,800, or about 9,000 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023. Daily operations and maintenance of the fleet are under contract with MV Transportation. City of Santa Clarita Transit routes connect with services operated by Metro and Metrolink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Beach Transit</span>

Long Beach Transit (LBT) is a municipal transit company providing fixed and flexible bus transit services in Long Beach, California, United States, in other communities in south and southeast Los Angeles County, and northwestern Orange County. Long Beach Transit also operates the Passport shuttle, Aquabus, and Aqualink. The service, while operated on behalf of the City of Long Beach, is not operated directly by the city, but by a separate nonprofit corporation, the Long Beach Public Transportation Company, operated for that purpose. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 17,780,100, or about 60,800 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancaster station (California)</span>

Lancaster station is owned by and located in the city of Lancaster, California. It serves as a transfer point for several public transportation bus routes as well as the final Metrolink train station on the Antelope Valley Line that originates 69 miles (111 km) away in downtown Los Angeles, at Union Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Grade/Acton station</span> Train station in Acton, California, United States

Vincent Grade/Acton station is a Metrolink rail station just north of the community of Acton, California. It is served by Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line from Los Angeles Union Station to Lancaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Via Princessa station</span> Train station in Santa Clarita, California, US

Via Princessa station is a Metrolink (California) train station located in the Canyon Country neighborhood of the city of Santa Clarita, California. It is served by Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line between Los Angeles Union Station and Lancaster station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newhall station</span> Train station in Santa Clarita, California, US

Newhall station is an intermodal hub in the Newhall neighborhood of Santa Clarita, California. The station is served by Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line operating between Los Angeles Union Station and Lancaster, Amtrak Thruway buses connecting to/from San Joaquins trains in Bakersfield, and serves as a transfer point in the City of Santa Clarita Transit bus system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmdale Transportation Center</span> Train station in Palmdale, California, US

The Palmdale Transportation Center is a multi-modal transportation center in the city of Palmdale, California. Featuring a Metrolink rail station, a local bus hub, and commuter bus hub, the center was completely rebuilt in April 2005. It features a "clock tower plaza" which has an enclosed waiting room with concessions and vending, public telephone, restrooms, a bus pass sales office, and security service. The center has four partially enclosed shelters at the bus hub and six partially enclosed shelters for the rail platform. The center also has a large park and ride facility with 586 spaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Bus rapid transit line in Los Angeles County, California

The J Line is a 38-mile (61.2 km) bus rapid transit line that runs between El Monte, Downtown Los Angeles and the Harbor Gateway, with some trips continuing to San Pedro. It is one of the two lines in the Metro Busway system operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albuquerque Rapid Transit</span> Public Transportation in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque Rapid Transit, also known as ART, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system serving the Central Avenue corridor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. There are two lines running between Tramway Boulevard, the Central and Unser Transit Center (CUTC), and the Uptown Transit Center (UTC). It was built in 2016–17 and began limited operation in November 2017, but was subsequently delayed for over two years due to problems with the stations and buses. After the original fleet of electric buses was replaced with diesel buses, the line began regular service on November 30, 2019.

The North Hollywood to Pasadena Transit Corridor is a proposed 18-mile (29 km) bus rapid transit line in the Los Angeles Metro Busway system in Los Angeles, California. It is planned to operate between Pasadena and the North Hollywood station in the San Fernando Valley, where it will connect with the B Line in the Los Angeles Metro Rail system and the G Line in the Los Angeles Metro Busway system. The project completed its scoping phase in 2019, was approved by the Metro board on April 28, 2022 and is estimated to be completed by 2027. It is part of Metro's Twenty-eight by '28 initiative.

References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. "Route 1 - Lancaster/Palmdale". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  4. "Route 2 - East/West Palmdale via Avenue R". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  5. "Route 3 - East/West Palmdale via Avenue S". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  6. "Route 4 - Eastside Lancaster". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  7. "Route 5 - Quartz Hill via Avenue L". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  8. "Route 7 - Rancho Vista/Lancaster". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  9. "Route 8 - Antelope Valley College". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  10. "Route 9 - Quartz Hill via Avenue H". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  11. "Route 11 - East/West Lancaster via Avenue I". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  12. "Route 12 - East/West Lancaster via Avenue J". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  13. "Route 50 - Lake LA/Lancaster". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  14. "Route 51 - Lake LA/Palmdale". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  15. "Route 52 - Littlerock/Pearblossom". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  16. "94 Special - AV High School/Eastside High School". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  17. "97 Special - Highland High School". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  18. "98 Special - Pete Knight High School". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  19. "Route 785 - Downtown Los Angeles". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  20. "Route 786 - Century City/West Los Angeles". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  21. "Route 787 - West San Fernando Valley". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  22. "790 Commuter". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  23. https://www.avta.com/790-transporter-schedule.php
  24. "About Our Fleet". www.avta.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  25. "Antelope Valley Transit Authority Temporarily Suspends Commuter Services" . Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  26. "After strike, bus service will resume in the Antelope Valley Sunday". dailynews.com. 19 March 2017.
  27. Nelson, Laura J. "Antelope Valley transit service stalls as bus operator strike continues". latimes.com.
  28. "AVTA local service suspended indefinitely". theavtimes.com.
  29. 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.
  30. "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.
  31. "Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA)". Wave. 2018-06-04. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  32. "Local transit fares", AVTA website