LIVERMORE, Calif.– Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority celebrated employee skill and spirit as it hosted the return of the Wheels Roadeo. This year’s “HalloWheels” Roadeo rolled out on Saturday, October 28th.

The Roadeo is an annual, international transit event that invites bus operators, maintenance teams, and other transit professionals to partake in driving skills competitions testing speed, skill, and accuracy. In addition to the contests, LAVTA and MV Transportation employees and families enjoyed games, a picnic lunch provided by Teamsters Local 70, a haunted bus, and face painting festivities.

LAVTA congratulates 2023 HalloWheels Roadeo winner Evelyn Perea who scored the highest overall in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) eligible category, winning $500 and a trip to the APTA 2024 International Bus Roadeo in Portland, Oregon! Community leaders participated in the Board of Directors competition where Dublin City Councilmember Jean Josey of Dublin came away with the top prize.

Christy Wegener, LAVTA’s Executive Director stated “This year’s roadeo had a fantastic turnout and while the competition was fierce, participants are Wheels family first and showed tremendous support for each other throughout the challenges. We are so proud to work with this team and can’t wait to watch our winner at APTA International roadeo!”

LAVTA thanks its events sponsors, Teamsters Local 70, and MV Transportation, and Gillig LLC for their donations and assistance.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com or contact customer service at 925-455-7500. Keep up to date with company news, schedule changes and rider alerts by following us on Facebook, Instagram and X @wheelsbus.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA Media Library: 2023 HalloWheels Roadeo Media –  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hbliv5b313xqp7i4xp4sb/h?rlkey=ogna0mkqz5646mv5atyapg21r&dl=0

Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) continues its tradition of quality transportation services in Tri-Valley communities as reported by riders in its 2023 Passenger Satisfaction survey. Wheels riders scored the agency a   4.5 / 5 rating average for quality of service including safe, clean, and reliable operations.

“Wheels continues to uphold the high standards of the communities it serves”, said Melissa Hernandez, LAVTA Board Chair and Mayor of Dublin. “Riders let us know they consider Wheels a reliable, friendly and safe option to get them to school, work, and healthcare throughout the Tri-Valley.”

The Passenger Satisfaction survey is an annual initiative to gain insight from riders. The survey addresses quality-of-service aspects that respondents are asked to grade on a scale of 1 – 5 such as schedule adherence, cleanliness of buses, and driver courtesy. It was conducted in person on buses during the months of May and June 2023 and provided in English and Spanish. Wheels staff engaged with customers while riding Rapid and local routes to achieve diversity of response from a broad demographic sample. 87% of respondents reside within the service area.

LAVTA analyses the data to identify trends and guide future objectives and strategies to improve the customer experience. Notable results from this years’ survey were increased satisfaction with on-time performance, driver friendliness, and clean and well-maintained buses. The 2023 survey is the first to be completed “post-pandemic” (last performed 2019) and indicates a high level of rider confidence as they return to transit.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com or contact customer service at 925-455-7500. Keep up to date with company news, schedule changes and rider alerts by following us on Facebook, Instagram and X @wheelsbus.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LIVERMORE, Calif. September 7, 2023 – Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) has launched the “Wheels in Motion” outreach campaign running through the month of September. Wheels in Motion is a community survey created to gain insight and opinions from the public and bus riders regarding potential Wheels bus route and schedule changes to take effect in early 2024.

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) will be changing its frequency on the Dublin train line from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes beginning mid-September. Due to this, the bus-train transfers at the East Dublin/Pleasanton BART station will have less strategic alignment. Currently, Wheels bus schedules have frequencies of 15 or 30 minutes which will not coordinate with the new 20-minute service that BART will implement.

To respond to the change in the BART service, and to ensure Wheels routes are providing the right level of coverage and frequency, LAVTA developed three bus network scenarios for public review. The first scenario would formalize the current Wheels route service levels, including formal discontinuation of still-suspended routes due to the pandemic. The second would increase frequencies in crucial travel corridors and reduce or eliminate service on secondary routes. The third would reduce the 15-minute service corridors to 20 minutes but restore service in several areas that are currently unserved by buses.

Wheels in Motion will be marketed throughout the Tri-Valley community. This campaign encourages riders and community members to voice their opinion on a preferred bus network via a multi-lingual online survey. Please check lavta.wpenginepowered.com/wheels-in-motion for more information or to take the survey. The survey will be open until September 30.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state, and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure BB.

Wheels will operate a Weekend schedule for Labor Day on Monday, September 4.   

Passengers who are planning to take Wheels on Monday should consult the weekend timetables. Many routes only operate on weekdays so there will be reduced service levels for the Labor Day holiday.

To help with trip planning, passengers can call Wheels Customer Service at (925) 455-7500 or visit lavta.wpenginepowered.com.

The administrative offices of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, operator of the Wheels bus system, will be closed on Labor Day. 

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state, and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure BB.

Wheels Implements Schedule Changes in August to Prepare for the School Year

LIVERMORE, Calif. August 7, 2023 – Beginning August 10^th, Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) will implement changes on several Wheels bus routes to prepare for the start of the school year. These changes will affect several school-focused routes in Dublin and Pleasanton and one local route in Livermore.

In Dublin, the schedules for Routes 501, 502, 503, and 504, and in Pleasanton, Routes 602 and 604 are being adjusted to better connect with middle and high schools. Route 502 is being rerouted off Wildwood Road for improved connectivity to Dublin High School. In Livermore, two Route 15 afternoon trips will have schedule adjustments to better connect to Christensen Middle School.

Route and schedule information is available on the LAVTA website at lavta.wpenginepowered.com or by calling our Customer Service Center at (925) 455-7500.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton, and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state, and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure BB.

Follow LAVTA on Facebook at facebook.com/wheelsbus and on Twitter @wheelsbus or visit our website lavta.wpenginepowered.com for more information on Wheels and Rapid bus services, our Dial-A-Ride paratransit service as well as our Go Tri-Valley promotion with Uber and Lyft.

Livermore, CA – With the school year starting soon, the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority’s (LAVTA) annual Try Transit to School promotion will be starting back up. Try Transit to School allows Tri-Valley middle and high school students to ride for free on all Wheels bus routes.

This unique program offers unlimited free rides for middle and high school students on all regularly scheduled Wheels and Rapid bus routes from August 7 through September 4, including weekends. The purpose of this program is to provide an introduction of LAVTA’s bus services to students so they can experience how easy it is to ride Wheels to and from school. In addition, the program allows parents a safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly alternative for school transportation. The free rides are not limited routes that serve schools; Students can also use this opportunity to ride transit to hang out with friends, go to work, shopping, and other fun activities.

To take advantage of this promotion, students simply board any Wheels or Rapid bus and ride. No ticket or pass is required. Route and schedule information is available on the LAVTA website at lavta.wpenginepowered.com or by calling our Customer Service Center at (925) 455-7500.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the
cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton and Alameda County to serve area transit
needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the
California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated
Transportation, respectively.

In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its
size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.
LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic
congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In
addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and
local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure
BB.

Follow LAVTA on Facebook at facebook.com/wheelsbus and on Twitter @wheelsbus
or visit our website lavta.wpenginepowered.com for more information on Wheels and Rapid bus
services, our Dial-A-Ride paratransit service as well as our Go Tri-Valley promotion
with Uber and Lyft.

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), operator of the Wheels Bus system and Dial-A-Ride paratransit service in the Tri-Valley, is seeking applications for members to serve on the Tri-Valley Accessible Advisory Committee (TAAC).  Members on the TAAC represent the cities of Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, unincorporated Alameda County and Tri-Valley social/human services agencies. Vacancies are for the following representatives:

• City of Dublin – 1 member, 1 alternate
• City of Livermore – 2 members, 1 alternate
• City of Pleasanton – 1 member, 1 alternate
• Alameda County – 1 member, 1 alternate
• Social Services – 3 members, 1 alternate

The committee members are expected to provide a forum and advise LAVTA staff on accessibility issues facing senior and disabled residents on LAVTA fixed route buses and Dial-A-Ride paratransit services.  The committee meets six times per year for approximately 90 minutes. Currently the committee meetings are being held via Zoom due to Covid-19. TAAC members will receive a free annual LAVTA fixed route bus pass.  In addition, ADA paratransit eligible members can ride Dial-A-Ride service to and from TAAC meetings free of charge.

Candidates must reside in the city they represent and must be able to solicit and disseminate information effectively to their constituents, be able to meet during regular business hours (typically 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and be able to analyze complex issues and reports to make recommendations regarding LAVTA services.  Candidates must currently use LAVTA fixed route buses or Dial-A-Ride paratransit services or represent those who do.  Candidates do not have to be disabled or over 65 years old.

Interested candidates should request an application by calling (925) 455-7555 or download an application by clicking here. Applications may be submitted by mail or email and must be received by LAVTA no later than April 18, 2022. LAVTA’s Board of Directors makes the final approval of TAAC representatives.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure B and BB.

The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate requiring that approved face coverings be properly worn by all passengers riding on Wheels buses first became effective February 1, 2021. The mandate was most recently scheduled to expire on March 18, 2022. The mandate has now been extended again through April 18, 2022.

Wheels bus operators will continue to provide face coverings for passengers who forget to bring one.

Any changes to this mandate will be posted on this site.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure B and BB.