Author: David Mark

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Youth Programs Bolster Transit Trial and Service Success

LIVERMORE, Calif.– The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), operator of Wheels bus service in the Tri-Valley, continues to see ridership increases highlighting the success of its “Wheels in Motion” network realignment. In August 2024, the Wheels system saw approximately 126,000 boardings, a 7% year-over-year increase. Total systemwide ridership for the year was over 1.35 million passengers, an increase of 18% over the prior fiscal year. Wheels post-pandemic ridership recovery remains strong, with almost 80% of pre-covid ridership returning on weekdays and 100% on weekends.

“It’s a remarkable pace of recovery, especially in context of the Bay Area transit system as a whole. The year over year ridership gain of 18% makes Wheels a standout success.” said LAVTA Board of Directors Chair Evan Branning. “The partnerships with our school districts continue to grow as does student ridership in the Tri-Valley. I’m proud of the proactive approach the agency has taken to assessing rider needs.”

In addition to providing connections for commuters, Wheels supports students with convenient routes serving neighborhoods near school campuses throughout the Tri-Valley. At the beginning of summer, Wheels launched a Youth Ride Free promotion, followed by the annual Try Transit to School promotion which offered free rides on Wheels for the first four weeks of school.

Alex Dion, a student at Dublin High School and regular Wheels bus rider, commented, “Every day I ride Route 4 and Route 30R home from school. The forty minutes spent aboard are the highlight of my day: it’s the only time I get to truly relax and destress from school. I rely on and trust Wheels for reliable, peaceful and comfortable transportation.”

Several factors contributed to the increased year-over-year ridership growth:

  • In March, Wheels updated the schedules of Wheels Rapid routes, the 10R and 30R, to match the new BART 20-minute frequency. Routes 10R and 30R provide BART connectivity at the Dublin/Pleasanton Station. Additional Rapid service on weekends was also implemented.
  • Also in March, Wheels launched new local Route 4 serving Central Dublin and Route 18 serving South Livermore. Wheels also restored services that were suspended due to the pandemic including Route 11 serving Greenville and the 580X between Livermore and BART.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit www.wheelsbus.com or contact customer service at 925-455-7500. For real-time arrivals and to plan your next transit trip, download the Transit App. 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. 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.

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Livermore, Calif. – Wheels is providing FREE bus and paratransit service on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, to celebrate California Clean Air Day. This special offer supports a statewide effort to engage Californians on air quality issues. For more than 5 years the Clean Air Day initiative has brought Californians together, advocating for improved air quality through individual actions like use of public transit. Wheels is proud to partner with WestCAT and County Connection on the Clean Air Day promotion, encouraging everyone to take public transit for a more breathable future.

Route Schedules: https://www.wheelsbus.com/routes-and-schedules/

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Livermore, Calif. – Wheels 10R service will return to downtown Pleasanton, reopening bus stops that had been temporarily closed during the summer due to high traffic volume. Starting September 9, the 10R Westbound will end its detour via Old Stanley Blvd. between First St. and Main St. Service will be restored at Neal St. including the following bus stops open for both east and westbound service.

Reopened Westbound Bus Stops:

  • First Street and Ray Street
  • Main Street and Vervais Avenue
  • Peters Street and Mary Street

The bus shelter at Neal St. and First St. will remain closed until further notice. This stop will be temporarily relocated to the north end of Lions Wayside Park. This is approximately a 3-minute walk on First St.; new 10R signage marks the pickup area.

Wheels reminds riders that this weekend, Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8, Route 10R will be closed in both directions in downtown Pleasanton to accommodate the final First Weekends on Main. The route will detour across Old Stanley Blvd. between First St. and Main St.

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Riders should seek services at the Livermore Transit Center.

Livermore Calif. – The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) has updated business hours at the agency’s administrative offices, located at 1362 Rutan Drive, Suite 100 in Livermore, California. The new hours are as follows:

Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Livermore Transit Center has customer service staff available Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Riders seeking Wheels services including Clipper Card payments, trip planning assistance, ACE train ticketing, para-transit services, and general information should contact customer service at (925) 455-7500 or visit the historic facility located at 2500 Railroad Avenue in Livermore. The Transit Center is easily accessible from routes 10R and 30R. All route and schedule information is also available online at www.wheelsbus.com.

Livermore Transit Center Customer Service
2500 Railroad Avenue, Livermore California
Open Monday – Friday 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
925.455.7500 / [email protected]

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels continues improving Tri-Valley public transit services by implementing schedule adjustments on August 10 to accommodate upcoming BART train schedule changes. The Wheels bus schedule adjustments ensure connectivity between buses and trains and minimize wait times to make travel seamless.

The August 10 schedule updates impact arrivals and departure times by less than 5 minutes. New timetables are available at wheelsbus.com/wheels-in-motion. Riders should download the latest route schedules to see how the new schedules impact their travel plans.

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Wheels will be modifying its service to downtown Pleasanton on the Rapid Route 10R. From August 8 – 31, 10R Westbound will detour via Old Stanley Blvd. between First St. and Main St. All 10R Westbound downtown bus stops will be closed. A temporary bus stop has been established at Old Stanley Blvd. and Main St., and the existing stop at First St. and Old Stanley Blvd. is also available.

Closed Westbound Bus Stops:

  • First Street and Ray Street
  • First Street and Neal Street
  • Main Street and Vervais Avenue
  • Peters Street and Mary Street

This change allows 10R Rapid service to bypass crowding in downtown Pleasanton associated with the Meadowlark Dairy, ensuring service reliability and rider and pedestrian safety.

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Revised schedules include service to Emerald High School.

LIVERMORE, CA – Wheels annual Try Transit to School promotion kicks off on August 8, running through August 31. Try Transit to School encourages Tri-Valley middle and high school students to take transit to school by offering free rides on all Wheels bus routes. The program provides an introduction to public transit so students can experience how easy it is to ride Wheels to and from school while providing parents a safe and reliable alternative that doesn’t add more cars to long school lines. The free rides are not limited to routes that serve schools; students can also ride Wheels to hang out with friends, go to work, shopping, and other activities.

Wheels’ supplemental school routes resume with the first day of school at Tri-Valley middle and high school campuses. New this year is Route 201 serving Emerald High School in Dublin. This route connects Emerald High School with residential neighborhoods on Fallon and Tassajara Rds., extending up Positano Pkwy.

To take advantage of the Try Transit to School promotion, students simply board any bus, no pass or student verification is required. Schedules change depending on day of week and bell schedule including special events, listed as Modified Schedules. Riders are encouraged to download the Transit App for real-time bus tracking and arrival and departure times. Route and schedule information is available at wheelsbus.com in the Student menu, or by calling customer service at (925) 455-7500.

Free passes on Wheels are available to Tri-Valley students and families through the Alameda County Student Transit Pass Program. For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: https://www.alamedactc.org/programs-projects/studentpass.

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

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

Wheels will be providing a special shuttle service to the Alameda County Fair from East Dublin/Pleasanton BART. The shuttle, operating as Wheels Route 52, will provide hourly service June 14 through July 7 on days the Fair is open.

The first Route 52 trip from the Pleasanton (south) side of the East Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station will depart to the fairgrounds at 11:14 a.m. Riders should follow wayfinding signs directing to the right as they leave the BART tunnel. The last Route 52 trip will depart the Alameda County Fairgrounds at 11:16 p.m. Pick up and drop off at the fairgrounds are at Yellow Gate on Pleasanton Avenue across from the Pleasanton ACE station. Check lavta.wpengine.com for the full schedule, including a modified schedule for July 4. Regular Wheels bus fares apply.

Tri-Valley residents can also leave their cars at home and catch the bus to go to the fair. Fairgoers can board any westbound Route 10R bus along Railroad Avenue and Stanley Boulevard or at the Livermore Transit Center where ample free parking is available at the Livermore Valley Center Parking Garage. Riders will need to exit the bus on Peters Avenue in downtown Pleasanton, walking approximately four blocks to the Fair’s Yellow Gate entrance on Pleasanton Avenue.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit lavta.wpengine.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 provide public transit in the Tri-Valley. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion and improving air quality. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measure BB. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

10R detour around downtown Pleasanton to Old Bernal Ave. for summer months.

LIVERMORE, CA – Wheels is modifying its route 10R Rapid service to bypass crowding in downtown Pleasanton during the summer months. The popularity of the Meadowlark Dairy and community events like farmers markets, First Weekend on Main, and Concerts in the Park create congestion on the narrow streets. The service change is needed to keep buses on time, ensuring reliability and safety for riders and pedestrians.

Starting June 1 and lasting through summer, Wheels will be implementing the following changes to route 10R:

  • The current westbound bus stop on Neal St., located on what will be the new Meadowlark Dairy stacking lane, will be closed. Signs will be posted to indicate passenger should access Wheels at an alternative stop across the street on the corner on First St. and Neal St. adjacent to Delucchi Park.
  • Route 10R buses traveling westbound will be rerouted to remain on First Street with no stops until resuming the regular route at Peters St. via Old Bernal Ave.
  • There are no changes to the eastbound Route 10R service or bus stops.

“Continuing to provide quality, safe, and reliable Wheels bus service to downtown Pleasanton over the summer months remains a top priority. To ensure that riders who rely on Wheels to get them to work and other important appointments aren’t delayed, Wheels is instituting a temporary detour on westbound Route 10R in downtown Pleasanton for the summer months. Safety is our priority at Wheels, and temporarily removing the bus from a narrow street with high pedestrian and vehicular traffic was our only solution”, said LAVTA Executive Director Christy Wegener.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit lavta.wpengine.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 provide public transit in the Tri-Valley. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion and improving air quality. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measure BB. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA on freeway with other traffic

LIVERMORE, Calif.– Wheels is providing FREE bus service for all youth starting June 1 throughout the summer break with its Summer Youth Ride Free promotion. This special offer makes it easy for kids and teens to explore all the opportunities and adventures available throughout Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore. No verification or pass necessary, just say youth ride free! Parents can use this free service to deliver the kids safely and reliably to summer camps, jobs, sports, art, and nature programs.

“Youth who learn to utilize transit understand its benefits and become our strongest advocates”, said Evan Branning, LAVTA’s Board Vice Chair and a teacher at Village High School in Pleasanton. “They understand that public transit supports an environmentally responsible lifestyle and a sustainable future.”

The promotion offers an excellent opportunity for students to trial public transit in preparation for the fall school year and supports summer school students.

LAVTA Executive Director Christy Wegener offered “Half of Wheels riders are youth going to and from school. It just makes sense to offer this promotion during the summer months, so that we can make it easy for students to keep riding over the summer. And for students who don’t yet ride Wheels, it’s a great opportunity to give the bus a try.”

Wheels recently added new local routes including route 4 in East Dublin and route 18 in South Livermore, as well as more frequent weekend service. The Summer Youth Ride Free promotion fare free period is June 1 – August 12, 2024, leading into Try Transit, a monthlong free transit promotion at the start of the schoolyear.

For more information on Wheels and its services, visit lavta.wpengine.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 provide public transit in the Tri-Valley. LAVTA supports sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion and improving air quality. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including Alameda County Transportation Commission Measure BB. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

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