News

CDC requires wearing of face masks while on public transportation and at transportation hubs

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in the United States, CDC is implementing provisions of President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel and will require the wearing of masks by all travelers into, within, or out of the United States, e.g., on airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares. The mask requirement also applies to travelers in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and seaports; train, bus, and subway stations; and any other areas that provide transportation.  Transportation operators must require all persons onboard to wear masks when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel. Operators of transportation hubs must require all persons to wear a mask when entering or on the premises of a transportation hub.

This action is to further prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and to further support state and local health authorities, transportation partners, and conveyance operators to keep passengers, employees, and communities safe.

Today’s order from CDC is part of a comprehensive, science-driven, U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One component of the whole-of-government response is taking actions related to reducing virus spread through travel.  Transmission of the virus through travel has led to—and continues to lead to—interstate and international spread of the virus.

“America’s transportation systems are essential,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH.  “Given how interconnected most transportation systems are across our nation and the world, when infected persons travel on public conveyances without wearing a mask and with others who are not wearing masks, the risk of interstate and international transmission can grow quickly.”

Traveling on public transportation increases a person’s risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 by bringing people in close contact with others, often for prolonged periods, and exposing them to frequently touched surfaces. Face masks help prevent people who have COVID-19, including those who are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic, from spreading the virus to others. Masks also help protect the wearer by reducing the chance they will breathe in respiratory droplets carrying the virus.

“CDC recommends that non-essential travel be avoided; however, for those who must travel, additional measures are being put in place to help prevent the spread of the virus,” said Dr. Walensky.  “Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely and consistently used by all people in public settings.”

This order will be effective on February 2, 2021. For more information on the Order or to view frequently asked questions, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask-travel-guidance.html

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

Service Adjustment 12-27-20

 Effective Sunday, December 27, 2020, the operation of Routes 21P/W and 108B will be changed. 

Routes 21P/21W 

  • 21P Eastbound – All trips will now end at Main & Cataba 
  • 21P Westbound – All trips will start at Main & Cataba.
  • 21W Eastbound – All trips will now end at Main & Cataba. 
  • 21W Westbound – The first trip at 5:55 AM will begin at the Mall. 
  • 21W Westbound – All other trips will start at Main & Cataba.
  • Stops at the Mall will remain the same. 
  • Monday, December 28 Only: No Service Due to Heavy Snowfall

Route 108B 

  • Depart time from the Fort Irwin Bus Lot will now be 6:10 PM
  • After all stops on the base have been serviced, operators will stop and discharge only at the stops needed. Please alert the driver of your stop.
  • This exception only applies to 108B. All other PM routes must continue to make all stops.

Please call 760-948-4021 if you have any questions.

Christmas Service Hours

Merry christmas and happy new year greeting card with copy-space.Happy snowman standing in winter christmas landscape.Snow background

As we gather to celebrate Christmas this week, we remind our passengers of our adjusted service times so our Operators and Staff can be with their loved ones. Please adjust your travel schedules accordingly.

Victor Valley Transit and Victor Valley Rescue Mission Work Together to “Stuff The Bus”

Community members hand off boxes of toys to the Victor Valley Rescue Mission for their inaugural “Stuff the VVTA Bus” Toy Drive. Photo courtesy of the Victor Valley Rescue Mission.

On December 12th and 13th,  Victor Valley Transit was honored to partner up with the Victor Valley Rescue Mission for a “Stuff the VVTA Bus” Toy Drive that was held in front of the Victorville, CA Walmart on Amargosa Road.  Working in conjunction with area Walmart Management, this inaugural event brought in over 2,000 toys, all thanks to the kindness of the community’s residents, which included many VVTA Operators and Staff Members.

“Everyone at Victor Valley Transit was thrilled to partner up with the Rescue Mission. During such a difficult year on many levels, it was heartwarming to see our community come together and fill up our bus with toys that will be donated to High Desert children that may not otherwise have something to open this Christmas,”  shared Victor Valley Transit Marketing Manager/PIO Chris Ackerman. “The Victor Valley Rescue Mission is such a wonderful organization that truly fulfills the needs of our community all year round. Merry Christmas to all who helped stuff the bus!”

Although this was the first time the Rescue Mission has done a toy drive event like this, Executive Director Bill Edwards could not be happier with the outpouring from our community. “This year has offered unique challenges and needs within our community but at the same time, it has shown the compassion and generosity of our High Desert Community. We are so grateful to be allowed to give these gifts to our young neighbors and friends on your behalf.”

Volunteers from Victor Valley Transit, Walmart, and the Victor Valley Rescue Mission working hand in hand to provide a Christmas for over 500 High Desert families. Photo courtesy of the Victor Valley Rescue Mission.

Along with Victor Valley Transit, the Victor Valley Rescue Mission also receives toys from organizations such as Santa Claus Inc, Community Action Partnership San Bernardino, Valley Food Bank, Desert Valley Hospital, David Dupree and Friends, Sparks of Love, Cemex, Archibald’s Restaurant, Raiders Booster Club, Apple Valley Women’s Club, Desert Mountain Children’s Center, The Beaver Family, and Happy Feet Sole to Soul.  The 12th Annual Toy Giveaway will culminate at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds on Saturday, December 19. This Toy giveaway has over 500 pre-registered families for Toys for Kids from 0-17 years of age. The event will also include the distribution of Farmers to Families food boxes for each family.   This will be “capped off” with some virtual family entertainment for guests as they remain in their cars and experience a contactless drive-thru event. 

Victor Valley Rescue Mission, an outreach ministry of the Rescue Mission Alliance, provides homeless men with opportunities for addiction recovery, transitional housing, and job training and placement. Outreach services to High Desert provide unsheltered individuals with hot meals, clothing, blankets, hygiene items, a food pantry; and a direct link to hospitals, clinics, and other health-related and community-based services. The Mission hosts 3 food pantries per week and holds four major outreach events each year providing unsheltered and low-income High Desert residents, with Easter baskets, backpacks, Thanksgiving baskets, and Christmas toys.   

Victor Valley Transit, the Victor Valley Rescue Mission, and the Victorville Walmart on Amargosa have already begun discussions to make this an annual community event, with the goal of making it much larger in 2021.

For more information please contact Chris Ackerman (VVTA) at 760-559-5185 or cackerman@vvta.org or Dawn Quigg (VVRM) at 760-927-3141 or dquigg@erescuemission.org.

Left to right: Victor Valley Transit Marketing Manager Chris Ackerman and Victor Valley Rescue Mission Executive Director Bill Edwards have fun promoting the “Stuff the VVTA Bus” Toy Drive. Photo by Aubs.
Victorville Walmart staff bring a basket of toys out to help stuff the Victor Valley Transit Bus. Photo courtesy of the Victor Valley Rescue Mission.
Over 2,000 toys were collected for the Victor Valley Rescue Mission.

Service Adjustments for VVTA Bus Routes

Beginning Thursday, December 17, 2020 until further notice, the following VVTA Bus Routes will be running on a modified schedule. Please adjust your travel accordingly and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call 760-948-4021.

Route 42 – Every two hours:

  • Northbound from VVC Temporary Stop – 7:30 am (First Bus) – 8:30 pm (Last Bus)
  • Southbound from Training Center – 6:29 am (First Bus) – 8:29 pm (Last Bus)

Route 40 – Every two hours

  • Northbound from Apple Valley Post Office – 6:00 am (First Bus) – 8:00 pm (Last Bus)
  • Southbound from Hwy 18 & Bass Hill (Walmart) – 6:31 am (First Bus) – 8:31 pm (Last Bus)

Route 47 – Every two hours:

  • Northbound from Bear Valley & Navajo – 7:31 am (First Bus) – 7:31 pm (Last Bus)
  • Southbound from Apple Valley Post Office – 7:00 am (First Bus) – 7:00 pm (Last Bus)

Route 33 – Every two hours

  • Northbound from Hwy 395 & Palmdale – 7:35 am (First Bus) – 7:53 pm (Last Bus)
  • Southbound from Bartlett & Greening – 6:05 am (First Bus) – 8:05 pm (Last Bus)

Route 54 – Every two hours:

  • Northbound from Victor Valley Mall – 7:04 am (First Bus) – 7:04 pm (Last Bus)
  • Southbound from Hwy 395 & Palmdale – 6:35 am (First Bus) – 8:35 pm (Last Bus)

Route 31 – Hourly service


Route 43 – Hourly service

2020 Holiday Service Hours

The Holidays are right around the corner, so please make note of our Holiday Service Hours.

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26: No Service, Admin Offices Closed

Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24: Saturday Service (7am-8pm), Admin offices closed except for Purchasing passes

Christmas: Friday, December 25: No Service, Admin Offices Closed

New Years  Eve: Thursday, December 31: Saturday Service (7am-8pm), Admin offices closed except for Purchasing passes

New Years Day: Friday, January 1: No Service, Admin Offices Closed

Ballot Drop off Boxes and How to Get There

As part of our “You Have the RIDE to Vote” campaign, we want to provide you an easy guide to which Routes and Bus Stops are closest to Official BaAs part of our “You Have the RIDE to Vote” campaign, we want to provide you with an easy guide that will help you know what routes are closest to an Official Ballot Drop Box, which can be found throughout our service areas.

Whether you choose to drop off your vote early or on our Free Ride Day this Tuesday, November 3rd,  Victor Valley Transit wants to make it easier for you to make your voice heard in this Election!

You Have The RIDE to Vote!

Victor Valley Transit will offer free rides all day on Tuesday, November 3rd , to make it easier for riders to vote in this year’s Presidential Election. The promotion, entitled “You Have the Ride to Vote,” is geared to highlight the importance of voting and provide the opportunity to be able to get to a Polling Center or Ballot Drop-off Location on Election Day.

“Victor Valley Transit strongly believes that everyone has a right to the voting process,” said VVTA Public Information Officer, Chris Ackerman. “We want to do our part to make it easier for our riders to have their voices heard on November 3rd.”

On Election Day, fares on all VVTA Fixed Routes, County Routes and ADA Paratransit Services will be suspended for all riders.  All passengers must wear a face covering and practice proper social distancing measures when riding with Victor Valley Transit.  All buses have been sanitized with Pro-Techs Antimicrobial Solution. The application is an odorless and non-toxic surface spray, providing 90 days of protection against COVID-19 plus other bacteria and viruses. A video of the process can be found at VVTA’s official YouTube Channel.

Free Rides does not apply to Route 15 and NTC Commuter lines.

“It is imperative to get out and vote in this election,” stated VVTA Board Chair Curt Emick. “Some of the polling locations have changed since the last election, and VVTA is proud to give passengers a free ride to get where they need to go to cast their ballot.”

Riders can visit www.sbcountyelections.com to register to vote, obtain a voter guide, find their nearest ballot Dop Box location, or their specific polling place. Victor Valley Transit will be posting Ballot Drop Box Locations and Early Voting Sites leading up to this year’s election.