"North County TRANSporter", operating between morning and evening commuting hours when there is no Metrolink train service at the Palmdale and Lancaster Metrolink stations. TRANSporter provides a bus connection during these hours with the Newhall Metrolink station in Santa Clarita, where there is all-day train service to and from Los Angeles Union Station.
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. However the drivers went on strike again, May 3 was the third walkout which lasted at least a week. As the dispute continued, drivers were locked out on August 22. 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. In 2018, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority began to charge its electric buses on special wireless charging pads located along bus routes. 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, then two million, zero emission miles driven.
Discounts
Senior citizens, the disabled, 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.
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 major places of employment outside of the Antelope Valley. Commuter Services service is only operated Monday - Friday.
