FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Antelope Valley Transit Authority

Contact: Pam Holland, Public Information Officer

661-729-2222

February 23, 2005

Transit Authority looks forward to later service hours

LANCASTER – Service changes that are to include later evening hours, minor route changes, and the introduction of the Palmdale shopper’s special – Route 8 – will be implemented as soon as it is possible for the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) to move into the new Palmdale Transportation Center, currently under construction at 6^th Street East and Sierra Highway in Palmdale.

The transportation center plays a major role in AVTA’s new route structuring but on-going rain storms and inclement weather have challenged construction progress and the scheduled start of the transit agency’s new services.

“We’ll move into the facility as soon as we possibly can,” said Randy Floyd, AVTA Executive Director, “the City of Palmdale is as anxious as we are to see the transportation center completed and open for business.”

The 14-acre, $21million facility will offer Valley residents a convenient, safe location to connect to local and commuter bus service, as well as train service and other forms of car and van pooling. The facility will provide 200 park and ride spaces, shelter from the weather, pay phone, restrooms, vending machines, ATM, and 24-hour security.

“We’ve been doing our best to let our passengers know that service changes are coming,” said Floyd, “it would be nice if we could give them a firm date on when the changes will begin – until then, we ask that they keep their eyes and ears open – we’ll post signs on all the buses as soon as we know.”

For more information, time schedules, and route maps, please log on to www.avta.com or call AVTA at 661-945-9445.