Free ice cream tacos, displays, and activities mark 40-years of service

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels extends its 40^th anniversary festivities by hosting a rider appreciation birthday party at the Livermore Transit Center on Monday, July 27, 2026 from 3pm – 7pm. This event is open to all Tri-Valley community residents and offers free Rocko’s ice cream tacos for the first 200 attendees. Activities include tours of the 1960 Wheels Rideo bus and the Livermore Heritage Guild Mobile Museum, and the chance to explore the historic 1892 Southern Pacific Depot building that now serves as the Livermore Transit Center. This family friendly gathering will feature kid’s activities including free gem art and paper bus building and offer commemorative giveaways.

In addition, transit partners from ACE Rail, Valley Link, and the Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District will be on hand with giveaways and service information.

“We want to share our appreciation for over 40-years of support from our riders and the greater community,” said LAVTA Director of Customer Experience David Mark. “We invite everyone to join us to beat the heat with free ice cream tacos and to check out some really great pieces of Tri-Valley history”.

Wheels continues #WheelsFreeAt40, including free rides on the Wheels 40^th Anniversary Bus and it’s Spot the Bus, Snap the Photo Contest. To find out where #WheelsFreeAt40 will be at the beginning of each week and for more info on events and a complete Wheels history visit: https://www.wheelsbus.com/40th-anniversary.

Event Information:
Date and Time: Monday, July 27, 2026 from 3pm – 7pm
Location: Livermore Transit Center, 2500 Railroad Avenue, Livermore CA
More Information: https://www.wheelsbus.com/40th-birthday/

Wheels encourages attendees to arrive on public transit, with the Livermore Transit Center easily accessible for pedestrians from downtown using the path behind the Bankhead Theatre. Free parking is available next door at the Livermore Valley Center Parking Garage.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com, follow @wheelsbus on social media, or contact customer service 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

Sets Saturday high mark for single day passengers

LIVERMORE, Calif. – On July 4, 2026 Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) set an all-time Saturday ridership record. Wheels carried over 7,100 passengers across all routes, including the extremely successful Route 74 service assisting with the City of Livermore’s Fourth of July event at the Livermore Airport. This record-breaking Saturday shattered previous milestones, exceeding passenger counts looking back over 40-years of Tri-Valley service.

To support the event, Wheels provided Route 74 operating as a shuttle between Las Positas College and the Livermore Airport. Wheels rolled out comprehensive wayfinding and customer information for an easy, family-friendly experience supporting the Livermore Independence Day event. This included clear bus stop signage, prominent website information, social media messaging, and news media coverage. Wheels staff were on hand assisted in welcoming and boarding riders throughout the event.

LAVTA Executive Director Christy Wegener commented, “The event gave us a chance to showcase the service and value we provide to the community. We appreciate everyone who rode with Wheels and hope that people will try us out again.”

This unprecedented day reflects a surge in local public transit use and a great opportunity for residents to trial clean, reliable and affordable, transit services. Wheels local daily use has been recovering from post-pandemic counts, with steady ridership over the past year, including students returning to school and commuters opting out of driving.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com, follow @wheelsbus on social media, or contact customer service 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

Continuous Service between Las Positas College and the Airport Event Area

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels will be providing a special shuttle service on July 4 to the Livermore Independence Day Event from Las Positas College (LPC). The shuttle, operating as Wheels Route 74, starts service at 9:00 a.m. with continuous service throughout and immediately following the event.

Riders should board at the LPC bus stop in the college’s traffic circle. Limited parking is available in parking lots C, D, and E. No parking is allowed at the Livermore Municipal Airport parking lot. Attendees are encouraged to park for free at the Livermore Valley Center Parking Garage and take Route 30R to LPC and transfer to Route 74.

The annual Fourth of July Celebration is a family-friendly event featuring a variety of military aircraft, emergency vehicles, jets, and helicopters. Attendees will also enjoy live music, local food vendors, and a kids’ zone.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com, follow @wheelsbus on social media, or contact customer service 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – The Board of Directors of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, operator of the Wheels bus system, unanimously elected Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert to serve as LAVTA Board Chair for fiscal year 2027. In November 2020 Haubert was elected to become the 14th Alameda County Supervisor, First District, a position permanently appointed a seat on the LAVTA board.

David Haubert was first appointed to the LAVTA Board of Directors in 2015, served as Vice Chair in 2026, and is a member of the Projects and Services Committee. He previously served as Chair in 2023. Haubert succeeds outgoing LAVTA Chair Julie Testa, Pleasanton City Council Member.

In addition to his time with LAVTA and Alameda County, Haubert has a lengthy history of civic participation. In 2002, he was elected to the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees where he served until elected to the Dublin City Council in 2012. In 2014, Haubert was elected Mayor of Dublin, serving the city for 6 years until his election to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in 2020. In additional to LAVTA, he also serves on the Tri-Valley San-Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board, and the Alameda County Transportation Commission.

“Having championed public transit throughout my career, I am proud to help steer LAVTA’s mission to connect and elevate our Tri-Valley communities”, stated Haubert. “Wheels is more than just a route and schedule; it is a lifeline of affordable, reliable independence for our community, including seniors, students and non-drivers.”

The LAVTA Board also unanimously elected Dublin City Council Member Michael McCorriston to the position of Vice Chair for the upcoming year.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com, follow @wheelsbus on social media, or contact customer service 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels is providing FREE bus service for youth all summer long with its annual Summer Youth Ride Free promotion. This promotion makes it easy for kids and teens to explore all the opportunities available throughout the Tri-Valley. No verification or pass necessary, just say Youth Ride Free! Parents can use this special offer to deliver the kids safely and reliably to jobs, sports, and recreation programs.

The promotion offers an excellent opportunity for students to trial public transit in preparation for the fall school year. The Summer Youth Ride Free promotion fare free period is May 29 – August 31, 2026.

LAVTA Executive Director Christy Wegener offered “Summer youth ride free was very successful last year; parents appreciate the motivation for kids to get off screens and out of the house without mom or dad having to play taxi driver all summer”.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com, follow @wheelsbus on social media, or contact customer service 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

Free rides on routes 30R, 10R and 15 for the Downtown Street Fest.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels is providing FREE bus service on routes 10R, 30R and 15 the weekend of May 16 and 17, 2026. This special offer will make it easy for

Tri-Valley residents and those connecting from BART to take transit to the Livermore Downtown Street Fest. This popular event is a celebration of wine, craft brew, arts, crafts, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Routes 10R and 30R are Wheels signature “Rapid” routes, connecting the Livermore Transit Center and Downtown Livermore to the Dublin Pleasanton BART station. These routes operate every 20-40 minutes on Saturday, and every 40-60 minutes on Sunday. Route 15 services Livermore’s Springtown area.

Festival goers are encouraged to avoid driving and try transit. Schedules are available at https://www.wheelsbus.com/routes-and-schedules/ and on all Wheels buses.

“Offering fare free service helps grow transit ridership, minimize traffic and parking hassles for participants, and allows those who don’t call the Tri-Vally home a chance to ride Wheels. As an annual Livermore Downtown Street Festival sponsor, Wheels is excited to meet the community onboard and at our booth.” said David Mark, LAVTA Director of Customer Experience.

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 rider alerts, schedule changes, and agency news by following us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

Photo contest and FREE rides highlight the 40^th Anniversary bus

LIVERMORE, Calif. – The celebration continues as Wheels 40^th anniversary offerings expand to include the Spot the Bus, Snap a Photo contest where residents can share their pics of the 40^th anniversary bus and win gift cards and Wheels gear. This is in addition to all rides on the anniversary bus being absolutely FREE!

Everyone can enter to win the Spot the Bus, Snap a Photo contest, contributing to Wheels stories of service. The community is invited to help document the 40^th Anniversary bus as it travels through Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin. Followers can enter by posting their photo of the 40th Anniversary bus on Facebook or Instagram. Winners are drawn monthly, a random selection from all eligible entries. Full contest entry rules and instructions are available in the Wheels anniversary archive at wheelsbus.com/40th-anniversary.

Entry Information:

1. Take a photo of the 40th Anniversary Bus rolling through the Tri-Valley
2. Post your photo on Facebook and/or Instagram with #WheelsFreeAt40
3. Follow and tag @wheelsbus on Facebook and/or Instagram

In addition to the contest, Wheels launched its 40th anniversary earlier this year by offering free rides on its commemorative bus. This vehicle rolls out on a new route each week, with the route hint available on Wheels website and social media channels.

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 rider alerts, schedule changes, and agency news by following us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

New Access to Downtown Pleasanton Civic Center and Fairgrounds

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels will implement minor alignment and schedule adjustments to Route 10R service in downtown Pleasanton effective May 1, 2026. The updates will alleviate congestion concerns on Neal St. and provide additional access to key destinations including the Civic Center, Library and Alameda County Fairgrounds.

The change means Route 10R buses will continue south bi-directionally to Bernal Ave. on both First St. and Pleasanton Ave. before reconnecting northbound with established service. Bus stops are available at First. St. and Neal St.

Recently, to address schedule reliability and on-time performance, additional service was added to Route 10R on Sundays. Wheels will publish new 10R schedules for the May 1 change, and again in August to accommodate the next “Big Sync” with BART.

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 rider alerts, schedule changes, and agency news by following us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – 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 – 1 member, 1 alternate
• City of Pleasanton – 1 member, 1 alternate
• Alameda County – 1 member, 1 alternate
• Social Services – 1 member, 1 alternate

The committee provides a forum to advise LAVTA staff on accessibility issues facing senior and disabled residents on fixed route buses and Dial-A-Ride paratransit services.  The committee meets six times per year for approximately one hour. TAAC members 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 community, be able to meet during regular business hours (typically 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and be able to provide input and make recommendations regarding LAVTA services. The meetings are held at LAVTA’s Administrative Office in Livermore and can be attended remotely. Candidates must currently use LAVTA fixed route buses or paratransit services or represent those who do. Candidates do not have to have a disability or be over 65 years old.

Interested candidates should request an application by calling (925) 455-7555 or download an application at https://wheelsbus.com/about-lavta in the Committees section. Applications should be submitted to LAVTA by April 27, 2026. LAVTA’s Board of Directors approves the 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, Pleasanton, and Alameda County. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Effective April 1, 2026, Wheels will implement a slight fare increase on both fixed-route and paratransit services. This decision, approved by the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) Board of Directors in December 2025, is being implemented following a comprehensive review of operating costs and regional peer agency pricing, and is the first fixed route fare increase in over 15 years. In a challenging transit fiscal environment, the adjustment is essential to maintain the high standard of service Tri-Valley communities expect and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the public transportation network.

Fares Effective April 1, 2026

Wheels Fixed-Route Fares
Regular Single Ride	$2.50
Youth Single Ride (Clipper Only)	$2.25
Senior/ADA Single Ride	$1.25
Regular Day Pass	$4.00
Senior/ADA Day Pass	$2.00
Regular Monthly Pass	$70.00
Senior/ADA Monthly Pass	$25.00

Wheels Paratransit Fare
Dial-A-Ride	$4.00

The $60.00 price of the East Bay Value Pass, available exclusively with Clipper®, has not increased. This pass product provides unlimited rides on Wheels, County Connection, Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT, and is good for 31-days from first use.

LAVTA continues its commitment to public transit accessibility with the Clipper START program offering 50% off single-ride fares for qualified individuals. More information is available at clipperstartcard.com.

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 rider alerts, schedule changes, and agency news by following us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measures B and BB. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips, traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Photography available upon request.