Victor Valley Transit is deeply saddened to announce the passing of ADA Driver William “Bill” Koltes, who passed away Friday, June 10, 2022, while on duty.
William was born in Texas on February 28, 1955, and has been a part of the VVTA family for the past 8 years. Speaking to fellow staff members, William was someone who loved serving the community and always had a positive attitude. He was also loved by his riders, who have had nothing but wonderful things to say about him.
William loved to drive, was very proud of his profession, and considered many of his co-worker’s dear friends he enjoyed talking to daily.
Outside of VVTA, William was an avid Rams Football fan, an accomplished guitarist, loved camping, and spending time with his grandchildren. William also loved to cook, especially his recipe for steak tamales and stew. William was also a member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles 4121, a national organization with a motto of “People Helping People”.
Victor Valley Transit has lost a wonderful person, and he will be sorely missed by all the VVTA family and the passengers who were blessed to know William.
William is survived by his wife of 14 years, Pamela Koltes, as well as four children, three grandchildren, four sisters, and a brother.
Victor Valley Transit is heartbroken to report that one of our Bus Operators passed away this morning while on route. We are working with local law enforcement and medical professionals on this matter. We will follow up with more details as they become available.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY
WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 107 expected.
WHERE…Apple and Lucerne Valleys.
WHEN…From 10 AM Thursday to 8 PM PDT Saturday.
IMPACTS…Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.
Detour Alerts for the Summer Street Fair and Car Show! To make room for all of the fun and festivities this Saturday, June 11th for the Summer Street Fair and Car Show in the Village in Apple Valley, Routes 40, 41, 43, and 47 will be on detour all day with the following Stops being missed: Stop #20138 at Navajo Rd & Ottawa Rd (Route 43)S
top #20139 at Navajo Rd & Powhatan Rd (Route 43)
Stop #20153 at Powhatan Rd & Navajo Rd (Routes 40, 41, 43, and 47)
Detour Alert for Route 50: Beginning tomorrow, June 8, due to major construction at the intersection of Green Tree Blvd and Hesperia Road, Route 50 will be on detour.
The following Stops will be missed:
Stop #50373 at Green Tree Blvd & Dean Ave
Stop #50374 at Hesperia Rd & Cherry Hill Dr
Stop #50375 at Hesperia Rd & Crestview Dr
Stop #50197 at Hesperia Rd & City View Dr
Stop #50190 at Green Tree Blvd & Hesperia Rd
Stop #50195 at Hesperia Rd & Chalon Rd
Stop #50198 at Hesperia Rd & Green Tree Blvd
Stop #50388 at Hesperia Rd & Seneca Rd
We apologize for any inconvenience. The detour is currently scheduled to run until September 23rd.
The City of Barstow will be having a Firework Spectacular this July 4th, and Victor Valley Transit will get you there for FREE!
The 25th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will be at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark beginning at 5:00 pm and culminating with a grand fireworks display at 9:00 pm!
Due to the extremely limited parking, Victor Valley Transit has partnered up with the City of Barstow to bring you the Firecracker Express, providing FREE transportation to and from this spectacular annual event. Event attendees will have the option to be picked up from the following four designated locations: Dana Park, Pitcher Park, Barstow Jr. High, and Barstow College.
Direct Access passengers wishing to attend the event may reserve FREE rides to the Sportspark by calling 760-244-4000 no later than 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022.
For those residents unable to get to any of our designated pickup locations, we will be providing a specialty complimentary bus service to the event for routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 28, and 29. Please see the chart below for departure times. Riders who need to use Routes 28 and 29 to get to the Fireworks Spectacular must call 760-244-4000 no later than 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 to request a ride.
There will be no other bus service on Monday, July 4, 2022. These buses will only be running to and from the 25th Annual Barstow Fireworks Spectacular.
Riding the “Firecracker Express” through Victor Valley Transit will be your easy and most convenient access to and from the event, as all roads around the Sportspark will be closed to the public. Best of all, the ride is FREE for all passengers!
As our country pauses on Monday, May 30th to remember and honor those who have bravely fought and fallen for our freedom, Victor Valley Transit will do the same.
There will be no Bus Service on Monday, May 30th, 2022 in honor of Memorial Day. Have a great holiday weekend!
FY23 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM OF PROJECTS, AND REGULAR MEETING
DATE: Monday, June 20, 2022
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Victor Valley Transit Authority, 17150 Smoke Tree Street, Hesperia, CA (via Zoom)
VVTA is inviting you to provide input or seek further information on the Federally Funded Program of Projects and the FY 23 Annual Operating and Capital Budget.
The VVTA Board of Directors shall consider all public comments and testimony during this public hearing, and all input received prior to the hearing. The Board will either render a decision or direct staff to provide them with more information to be brought back to the board for further consideration. The federally funded program of projects will become final with no further posting, unless amended. If approved by the Board the final Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget will be effective July 1, 2023 .
Questions and comments regarding the Federally Funded Program of Projects and the VVTA Annual Budget may be directed in writing or by phone to the Clerk of the Board at 760.995.3588 (TDD 760.948.3990), at 17150 Smoke Tree St., Hesperia, CA 92345 or by publiccomments@vvta.org (except G-mail).
Victor Valley Transit’s Executive Director, Kevin Kane, was honored recently at CalAct’s Spring Conference Awards Luncheon in Newport Beach, CA, where he received their annual “Wall of Excellence” Award. Each year the award is given to individuals who have a long and distinguished career in public transportation and have made outstanding contributions to CalACT and the transportation industry. CalAct Executive Director Jaclyn Cuddy shared, “Kevin is a dedicated advocate for public transportation and has gone to extreme lengths to serve the transit community in California and so deserving of the CALACT Wall of Excellence award.”
When COVID hit and other transit agencies could not obtain PPE equipment, VVTA stepped up to assist CalAct with financing the bulk order purchase of safety equipment. The order amount was over $100k, and CALACT did not have the resources to purchase the PPE. VVTA provided a purchase order to cover the cost of the PPE until CALACT could reimburse the agency. In addition, Kevin received over 400,000 masks and hand sanitizers for southern California members and collaborated with his staff to break up the shipments into the amounts requested by members. He then held PPE orders until agencies were able to pick up and coordinated shipment to local members. Obtaining affordable PPE when you could not find it was a considerable feat and helped over 225 CALACT members receive PPE for their employees to keep them safe. Transit operations across the state would have suffered even more if agencies had not been able to obtain the necessary PPE for drivers.
Kevin Kane was inducted by Amy Hance, General Services Manager with the City of Clovis. “It was an honor to present Kevin Kane the CALACT Wall of Excellence Award at the Spring Conference Awards Luncheon,” noted Amy. “Kevin is a leader in public transit and has made significant contributions to the industry. His ability to develop creative solutions to tough problems has set the standard for public operators throughout the state. He is generous with his time knowledge and is always willing to pitch in and provide assistance to others.”
As the Executive Director of VVTA, Kevin arranged the finance and construction of a large, Gold & Silver LEED-certified transit facility with administrative offices, operations offices, a maintenance facility, and covered parking for transit coaches. Under his leadership, VVTA created a CTSA program that provides services to residents in Needles who previously had no lifeline services to the court system and medical facilities in San Bernardino County. They created a volunteer driver program and a nationally recognized vehicle rental program. Kevin led the way in transitioning his fleet and operations to zero emissions and has twelve battery-electric buses providing transit services in the Victor Valley and Barstow communities.
Under Kevin’s leadership, VVTA operates out of two facilities, the primary operations and maintenance facility in Hesperia and a second in Barstow, California. The agency has always been environmentally conscious, starting its change to CNG buses in 1998 to reduce its GHG emissions. By 2012, 100% of its fixed-route fleet was CNG, utilizing Renewable Natural Gas. After implementing the California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation (ICT), VVTA purchased its first Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) in 2018 and put them into service in 2019. The agency currently operates 12 BEBs and is switching to a hydrogen fuel cell, with the goal of 100% of its fixed-route fleet being zero emissions by 2035.
Victor Valley Transit Boarch Chair Joy Jeanette added, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are so proud of Kevin and his many accomplishments. He has changed the face of transit in the Victor Valley and has been a shining example of leadership to agencies nationwide.”
Before a 28-year career in Public Transportation, Kevin Kane, a native of Rockaway, NY, attended Brooklyn High School and graduated from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. He began his career working as VP of Sales Development, Eastern Region for the Newspaper Advertising Bureau in NYC, and then served as Marketing Director for the Knoxville News Sentinel. After a long, illustrious career, Kane Kane is set to retire from Victor Valley Transit in December 2022.
Our Recruiting Event continues every Tuesday in May!
Come out and join us tomorrow, Tuesday, May 10th for our Transit Recruitment Event from 9:00am – 1:00pm at our Hesperia Facility at 17150 Smoke Tree St. in Hesperia.
In addition to looking for Bus Operators trainers and cleaners, we are also on the lookout to fill positions for: Dispatcher, Scheduler, Service Advisor and Supervisor!
We will be holding on-site interviews for a variety of positions for both our Hesperia and Barstow locations so please come out and help meet the transit needs that keep our community moving forward! See you there!
