The Antelope Valley Transit Authority has reached a milestone, announcing that the agency has been awarded $13 million in state transportation funding. The grant, known officially as Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), includes an additional $250,000 in funds to enhance connection opportunities between AVTA, Metrolink, Amtrak, and LA Metro services.
Receiving this grant award means AVTA has been allocated the remaining funding necessary to support the agency’s aggressive goal of being the first in the nation to transition to a 100 percent zero- emission battery electric fleet. This grant is the third such grant to be awarded to AVTA over the past several years by the State of California, representing the culmination of a vision set forth nearly four years ago by the AVTA Board of Directors. This specific grant will be used to purchase seven zero-emission coaches and 12 inductive secondary charging pads. These units are installed on the buses and deliver a quick charge upon layovers at the transit centers, allowing the bus to recharge while en-route and eliminating the need to switch out buses midday. The final component of the program being funded by the grant is the construction of three new transit centers, which will expand zero emissions bus service in the rural east side of the Antelope Valley. These additional stations will complete the valley-wide loop for en-route charging, and will provide better connectivity to regional mobility options, health care access, social service access, educational opportunities and employment.
AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist announced the award to staff, noting that the transition to full electric status in 2018 will be the first in the nation. “Every mile operated by AVTA’s new battery-electric buses translates to a reduction in operating cost, fuel consumption, and greenhouse gases. In addition to providing a quality transportation alternative, AVTA’s new fleet is improving the quality of life for every person residing or working in the Antelope Valley. I could not be prouder of the team effort at AVTA that made this happen.”
Len Engel, AVTA executive director and CEO stated, “This award is a testament to the work of the AVTA team. The countless hours of coordinating, planning and advocating for the zero-emission bus transit fleet is paying dividends for the Antelope Valley community.” He also noted, “While there is more work to do, we now know we will reach our goal.
According to the terms of the grant award, AVTA will deploy the new buses on Routes 50, 51, and 52 (serving the communities of Lake Los Angeles, Littlerock, and Pearblossom) as well as its popular TRANSporter route linking the Palmdale Transportation Center with the Newhall Metrolink Station, College of the Canyons and Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital.
