Victor Valley Transit officially announces the retirement of Facilities and Maintenance Director, Ron Zirges. He will transition from VVTA at the end of 2021 after more than two decades of innovative service and leadership throughout the Transit Industry.
Zirges was, and is, an essential part of bringing Battery Electric Buses to the Victor Valley, as shared by VVTA Executive Director Kevin Kane.
“Ron Zirges is the smartest person I know when it comes to Public Transit fleets and facilities,” shared Kevin. “It was Ron who led VVTA to be the first transit system in San Bernardino County to deploy Battery Electric Buses (BEBs). Now on the cusp of his retirement, he is leading VVTA into Hydrogen-powered battery-electric buses with plans for a Hydrogen fueling station in Hesperia and the procurement of multiple Hydrogen Battery Electric Buses. Again, the first in the County.”
During his tenure at VVTA, which began in 2009, Zirges had many accomplishments, including:
• Procuring a stable fleet. Ron took VVTA from an Agency with a variety of different types of vehicles into a stable fleet of El Dorado and New Flyer Buses,
• Ron was instrumental in the design and building of both their Hesperia Facility on Smoke Tree Street and E Avenue, as well as their latest facility in Barstow, CA, on Historic Route 66, and
• Ron implemented the creation of a 100% paperless system at VVTA’s Maintenance Facilities.
Before joining VVTA as Fleet and Maintenance Director, Ron held various leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, including:
• Creating a Rural Fixed Route Service using ADA Buses for Riverside Transit Authority,
• Creating a rubber tire Trolly Service for the Hotel industry in Arlington, Texas, in just 30 days,
• Consulting for dozens of transit agencies around the country, and
• Leading and participating with various committees in the fields of zero-emission buses, maintenance, and Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS). These include The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the California Transit Association (CTA,) and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalAct).
“It has been an honor to work in an industry I am passionate about and providing transit opportunities to commuters nationwide,” shared Ron. “I will now focus my attention on golfing, fresh-water fishing, and projects around the house.”A Veteran of our US Army, Ron served in the 101st Airborne Division as a Door Gunner, Helicopter Mechanic, and Crew Chief. Ron, who has been a mentor to many in the transit industry. Ron will be enjoying his retirement with his wife Susan.