Month: June 2022

We are please to announce that VVTA has partnered with Cloud Based Business Communications, RingCentral. Analytics are important to our company, so we’ve expanded our business analytics capabilities so that we can retrieve real-time insights to better suit YOU, the customer. Our new phone system was implemented on Wednesday July 6th 2022 beginning at 8am to 10am. This highly anticipated phone system will definitely streamline our day to day operations to better facilitate the needs of our customers, passengers and vendor interactions with our Staff.

You will notice a brand new phone menu that has been added to our new phone system, this new phone menu should get you in touch with the department that you are trying to reach, It will take some time getting familiar with our menus, so please feel free to call in and check out the different menus we now have in place for you.

We are asking that you please be patient during this transition and new learning curve for all of us. We will be up and running as soon as possible. Some things to remember are as followed:

•  We will GoLive July 6^th at 8AM – 10AM
• We are making every effort to get our main numbers up and running with a priority status to minimize as much downtime as possible for VVTA customers and passengers calling into VVTA.
• We appreciate your patience during this new transition to make calling into VVTA easier and in a more organized manner.
• Please keep in mind that we may experience longer than experienced wait times during this transitional phase.
• ADA, Route and Scheduling, Barstow will still be receiving calls during this transition.

THANK YOU!

The sky above Barstow will light up this Fourth of July. Victor Valley Transit will provide public transportation to the 25th Annual Fireworks Spectacular at the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark. The annual event will begin at 5:00 pm on the Fourth of July, and roads will be closed in and around the event. Due to the extremely limited parking, the City of Barstow has partnered with Victor Valley Transit to bring residents the “Firecracker Express” bus service, providing FREE transportation to and from this annual event. 

The Barstow Fireworks Spectacular will feature Live music from Carol-Lyn’s All Stars, bounce houses, inflatable waterslides and other children’s activities for the whole family. You are welcome to bring additional seating and your picnic basket (No BBQs, outside alcohol or glass allowed in the Sportspark). The fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m. and will be simulcast in the Sportspark and on KDUC 94.3 and 102.5 FM.

Victor Valley Transit will be providing limited fixed-route bus service on the Fourth of July for Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 28, and 29. All routes will end at the Robert A Sessions Memorial Sportspark. Riders who need to use Routes 28 and 29 must call 760-244-4000 no later than 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 3, 2022, to request a ride. Routes 1, 2, and 6 will begin service starting at 5:00 pm from Barstow City Hall, while Route 3 will begin service at Hampton Inn on Lenwood Blvd, beginning at 5:00 pm.

Event attendees will have the option to be picked up from the following four temporary bus routes: Dana Park (Route 501) at 850 Barstow Rd, Pitcher Park (Route 502) at 1610 Rimrock Rd, Barstow Jr. High (Route 503) at 1000 Armory Rd, and Barstow College (Route 504) located at 2700 Barstow Rd. Buses will begin transportation at 5:00 pm and continue every 15 minutes, with the last bus leaving each designated location at 7:00 pm.

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 3, 2022.

Buses will be on hand to take passengers back to their pickup locations at 9:30 pm, after the Fireworks Spectacular. Victor Valley Transit has set up a dedicated webpage with complete detailed information on this specialty service. Those needing the service are encouraged to visit www.vvta.org/firecracker22. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be up close to the sights and sounds by riding the Firecracker Express bus service.

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.

Detour Alert for Route 50:

Due to a vehicle collision and police activity at Bear Valley Road and Hesperia Road, Route 50 will be on Detour with the following stops missed:

Stop #50051
2nd Ave & Jasmine St

Stop #50117
Bear Valley Road & Hesperia Road

Stop #40080
Bear Valley Road & Hesperia Road

Stop #40257
Bear Valley Road & Industrial Blvd

Stop #50124
Bear Valley Road & Apatite Ave

Stop #50117
Bear Valley Road & 2nd Ave

Stop #50050
2nd & Bear Valley Road

There will also be significant delays for Route 55, but no stop will be missed. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Come out and join us every Tuesday in June 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, we are also on the lookout to fill positions for: Dispatchers, Reservationists, Road Supervisors, Schedulers, Service Advisors, Managers and Supervisors! We are also looking to hire Mechanics A, B and C.

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!

Rider Alert for Route 21:

Due to the Sheep Fire, Route 21 will be unable to serve the Wrightwood area until further notice. Please adjust your travel plans accordingly.

In addition, on June 12th, a mandatory evacuation order was put in place for residents living in the community of Wrightwood. The evacuation order is for Highway 2 to Mesquite St, from Hwy 138 to Sand Canyon and from Wright Mountain Road to Lone Pine Canyon Road.

Additionally, there is an evacuation warning in place for all of Wrightwood. An evacuation center has been set up at Serrano High School, 9292 Sheep Creek Dr, Phelan. Call (909) 327-3131 for additional information.

In Loving Memory of William “Bill” Koltes

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.