Why Mission: Antelope Valley Transit Authority

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) is doing big things in Southern California. Their service area covers 1,200 square miles, taking them from the Antelope Valley to San Bernardino County, as far west as the I5, south to the VA Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, and as far north as the Kern County line.

Their service area is impressive, and they are the only transit authority in the United States that’s doing it all with a 100% electrified fleet. Martin Tompkins is the Executive Director and CEO of the AVTA, he’s spent 38 years in the transit industry and marvels at the impacts going fully electric has made on his community.

“We started our journey in 2014 with two pilot electric buses, by 2016 our board had a vision to increase that amount. Since then, we’ve been able to avoid over six million gallons of diesel fuel and reduced our particulate matter by hundreds of thousands of pounds.” It’s not just about the environment, the rider and employee experience has improved dramatically says Tompkins. “You think of that diesel bus with the black smoke, there’s no more of that. There’s no more diesel smell or loud rattling noises. The buses are quiet and smooth and great for everyone.”

Tompkins began his career as a bus driver in Los Angeles. He worked his way up through the transit industry and has been leading the AVTA since 2019. He takes pride in working with Lancaster bus manufacturer BYD to stock his fleet and he knows how important it is to bank local.

“Keeping the money in the community is huge, and Mission Bank is a great community partner. Whenever we need anything, they are very responsive to our needs, it’s been a real partnership. There are a lot of other community agencies and organizations that bank with Mission, I think it’s really the place to be.”

Tompkins is a community minded leader, his passion for transit is rooted in the service aspects of the industry. “Today as an agency leader, finding solutions for our seniors and disabled is the most rewarding thing. Finding transportation solutions for people who don’t have the means is important, it’s about improving the community overall,” says Tompkins. “I think back to the 80’s when I drove, to be able to help someone get home, when they didn’t know which way to go, guiding them from one bus to another, for me that’s satisfaction.”