Lancaster – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) announced today that it will join with
other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in National Get On Board Day on
Thursday, April 25, 2019.
To encourage people to see for themselves that public transit is safe, convenient and easy to use,
the AVTA will be offering free bus rides on all of their local and commuter fixed-route service for
the entire day. AVTA staff members will also be out at the two main transfer centers at Sgt. Steve
Owen Memorial Park and the Palmdale Transportation Center, talking to riders about the multiple
benefits that public transportation provides to the individual, to the community and to the nation.
"Leaving the driving to the AVTA can eliminate costly gasoline purchases, reduce the nation's
dependence on foreign oil, and dramatically shrink our carbon footprint," said Board Chair Marvin
Crist. "Public transit also relieves the hassles and expenses of finding and paying for parking,
dealing with auto maintenance and repairs, and negotiating traffic."
Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2019 National Get On
Board Day is a day that APTA hopes will encourage people to support public transportation, and
showcases the benefits it brings to communities. APTA states that “every $1 invested in public
transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and
revitalization.”
As the AVTA continues to move closer to its goal of an all-electric zero-emission fleet by 2019, Get
On Board Day provides a great opportunity for those unaccustomed to using public transportation
to give it a try.
“Dump the Pump Day in 2016 was the first time AVTA offered free rides all day on our buses, and
we were amazed at the great response we got from the public," stated Executive Director Macy
Neshati. "Based on that success, we are excited for Get On Board Day, and we are expecting a
large number of first-time riders on our local transit service. We are confident that they will see
the benefits of public transportation for themselves.”
AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to a population of more than 450,000
residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the unincorporated portions of northern
Los Angeles County. Its total service area covers 1,200 square miles and it is bounded by the Kern
County line to the north, the San Bernardino County line to the east, the Angeles National Forest to
the south, and Interstate 5 to the West.
other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in National Get On Board Day on
Thursday, April 25, 2019.
To encourage people to see for themselves that public transit is safe, convenient and easy to use,
the AVTA will be offering free bus rides on all of their local and commuter fixed-route service for
the entire day. AVTA staff members will also be out at the two main transfer centers at Sgt. Steve
Owen Memorial Park and the Palmdale Transportation Center, talking to riders about the multiple
benefits that public transportation provides to the individual, to the community and to the nation.
"Leaving the driving to the AVTA can eliminate costly gasoline purchases, reduce the nation's
dependence on foreign oil, and dramatically shrink our carbon footprint," said Board Chair Marvin
Crist. "Public transit also relieves the hassles and expenses of finding and paying for parking,
dealing with auto maintenance and repairs, and negotiating traffic."
Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the 2019 National Get On
Board Day is a day that APTA hopes will encourage people to support public transportation, and
showcases the benefits it brings to communities. APTA states that “every $1 invested in public
transportation generates approximately $4 in economic returns, powering community growth and
revitalization.”
As the AVTA continues to move closer to its goal of an all-electric zero-emission fleet by 2019, Get
On Board Day provides a great opportunity for those unaccustomed to using public transportation
to give it a try.
“Dump the Pump Day in 2016 was the first time AVTA offered free rides all day on our buses, and
we were amazed at the great response we got from the public," stated Executive Director Macy
Neshati. "Based on that success, we are excited for Get On Board Day, and we are expecting a
large number of first-time riders on our local transit service. We are confident that they will see
the benefits of public transportation for themselves.”
AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to a population of more than 450,000
residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the unincorporated portions of northern
Los Angeles County. Its total service area covers 1,200 square miles and it is bounded by the Kern
County line to the north, the San Bernardino County line to the east, the Angeles National Forest to
the south, and Interstate 5 to the West.
