Pictured in the photo from left to right are AVTA Executive Director Macy Neshati, AVTA Director of Finance Judy Fry, AVTA Director of Operations and Maintenance Mark Perry, and AVTA Director of Strategic Planning and Development Norm Hickling.

Lancaster – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) was awarded the “Leadership Appreciation Award” by the California Air Resources Board for “for exemplary dedication and achievement in deploying zero-emission buses" during the ZEB (Zero Emission Bus) Tech Showcase and Symposium in Sacramento on Thursday. The event was sponsored by AVTA, the California Transit Association, and the California Air Resources Board.

The Showcase and Symposium is geared to provide information and exposure on the State’s current and future support for transit buses to the broadest array of stakeholders, including transit agencies, air districts, metropolitan planning organizations and regional transportation planning agencies, environmental groups, zero-emission bus manufacturers, charging technology providers, fuel providers, electrical utilities, researchers, and venture funding interests.

“As we near the completion of our goal to be the first 100% emission-free transit agency in the nation, I am extremely proud to say that it is the Antelope Valley community that is leading the entire nation in this worthwhile goal,” said Marvin Crist, Lancaster Vice Mayor and AVTA Chairman. “On behalf of the AVTA Board of Directors and the staff of AVTA, I am honored to receive this award that recognizes the hard work that has gone into this process”.

The Showcase and Symposium featured over 40 speakers from across the nation and around the world, including the heads of the California Air Resources Board and the California Transit Association, as well as leaders from the City of Shenzhen in China, which has been a global leader in the electrification of buses.

AVTA’s Executive Director Macy Neshati accepted the award on behalf of AVTA. “There is so much that can be learned from the experience in the Antelope Valley, and we are proud to be part of a movement that will ultimately lead to the 100% adoption across the nation of zero-emission buses,” said Neshati. “That is a real victory for clean air, and for future generations.”

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.