![In March 2022, AVTA became the first transit authority to fully transition its fleet to zero emissions. [image: AVTA]](https://img.masstransitmag.com/files/base/cygnus/mass/image/2022/06/16x9/AVTA_electricbuses_creditAVTA.62bc5f1c9cdee.png?auto=format,compress&fit=max&q=45&w=250&width=250 "In March 2022, AVTA became the first transit authority to fully transition its fleet to zero emissions. [image: AVTA]")
MV Transportation, Inc., began supporting a newly awarded contract to provide fixed-route bus services for Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) on June 25, 2022. The five-year contract tasks MV with overseeing all operational and maintenance activities for AVTA local, commuter and supplemental fixed-route bus services.
“AVTA remains committed to providing safe, reliable and sustainable transportation for the citizens of Lancaster, Palmdale and the rural northern Los Angeles County communities,” said AVTA CEO Martin Tompkins. “With its experience as a leading transportation provider and commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience, MV shares our vision for enhanced mobility.”
AVTA recently marked its 30th anniversary of serving Antelope Valley residents. In March, the authority completed its transition to a zero-emission fleet – the first in North America – and beating a California mandate that transit providers fully transition to zero-emission technology by 2040 by 18 years.
MV Transportation operates and maintains more than 2,000 alternative fuel vehicles, including battery electric fleets and comes to its role at AVTA with knowledge of zero-emission operations, maintenance, charging strategy, route optimization and fleet rollout planning.
MV will operate a fleet of approximately 100 all-electric vehicles and employ more than 200 transit professionals to run the service. As part of the company’s start-up efforts, it will deploy new in-vehicle safety technologies and implement specialized client-licensed software that optimizes scheduling for electric buses and drives additional service improvements and efficiencies. Each team member will also undergo safety and customer service training.
“We look forward to our partnership with AVTA and appreciate the confidence its leaders and board of directors have placed in MV,” said MV President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Collins. “This award is more than a contract to MV – it is the start of a long-term partnership with AVTA and a commitment to provide an exceptional customer experience to our riders and the community.”
