At a ceremony in Livermore today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) marked the start of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority's (LAVTA) bus rapid transit service in Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton. Congressman McNerney played a leading role in securing approximately $11 million in federal funding for the project.
"I'm thrilled to mark the start of bus rapid transit service in the Tri-Valley," said Rep. McNerney. "This service will provide the residents of our area with the option of using public transportation that has more frequent service, quick travel time, and stops at places such as BART and the Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories."
"Bus rapid transit service will also help decrease traffic along I-580 and improve air quality in our community," continued Rep. McNerney. "I'm glad to have helped secure funding for this important project."
LAVTA's bus rapid transit system, scheduled to launch on January 24, 2011, will employ 14 new hybrid electric, ultra-low emission buses and will use advanced technology to speed up travel time along the 14-mile route. A signal priority system will extend the green light at intersections and special bus queue jump lanes at targeted intersections will allow the Rapid buses to bypass traffic. Buses will be scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes during peak travel times and the service connects with the East, and soon to open West, Dublin/Pleasanton BART stations and the Stoneridge Mall.