WHEELS (California)
Founded | 1986 |
---|---|
Headquarters | 1362 Rutan Court, Suite 100, Livermore, California |
Service type | bus service, paratransit |
Routes |
17 local routes and 15 select school routes |
Stops | ~500 |
Fleet |
74 regular buses and 27 paratransit vehicles |
Operator | MV Transportation |
Website | wheelsbus.com |
WHEELS is a bus service that provides public transportation in the Tri-Valley Region (southeast Alameda County) of the San Francisco Bay Area, in the United States. Started in 1986, Wheels offers service to various communities in three cities, and connects to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) trains for connections to and from the greater Bay Area (Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose) and Central Valley (Stockton, Modesto, Tracy).
Wheels is operated by the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), and it has carried nearly 2 million passengers annually.[1]
Areas served
WHEELS operates in Alameda County, with limited service in Contra Costa County.
Alameda County:
Contra Costa County:
Fixed-route service
As of January 2011, Wheels operates twelve (12) local routes, two express routes, fifteen (15) select school routes, and two shuttle routes.[2][3] Descriptions for all services are described below.
Local Routes
Note that routes that have a V on a route number means that it is a variation of the original route (i.e. express service, operating differently from regular route)
Route Number | Days of Operation | Direction | Terminals | Cities, Communities, and Attractions Served | Notes | Schedule Information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North/East Terminal | South/West Terminal | ||||||
1A East Dublin |
Weekdays only | Clockwise loop | Dublin Pleasanton BART Station | Santa Rita Jail, Waterford Plaza, Koll Center, Hacienda Business Park (Rose Pavilion, Walmart, Oracle) | operates in the afternoon and evening; for morning service, see Route 1B | Routes 1/1A/1B Schedule | |
1B East Dublin |
Weekdays only | Counterclockwise loop | Hacienda Business Park (Oracle, Walmart, Rose Pavilion, Koll Center), Waterfront Plaza, Santa Rita Jail | Operates in the morning; for afternoon and evening service, see Route 1A | |||
1 East Dublin |
Weekends | Clockwise loop | Santa Rita Jail, Waterford Plaza, Koll Center, Hacienda Business Park (Rose Pavilion, Walmart, Oracle) | Integrated with former shuttle Route 51 | |||
2 Dublin Ranch |
Weekday peak periods only | East-West, then loop | Dublin Ranch Village (Fallon Middle School) |
Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Emerald Point, Emerald Glen Park, Dublin Ranch Village | Route 2 Schedule | |
3 West Dublin |
Weekdays and Saturdays | Loop | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Hacienda Business Park, Stoneridge Mall, Safeway Offices, Dublin Plaza, Dublin Senior Center, Dublin High School, Dublin Swim Center, San Ramon Senior Center, Amador Lakes, Dougherty Road, West Dublin/Pleasanton BART (Dublin) | Mornings run clockwise, afternoons run counterclockwise | Routes 3/3V Schedule | |
3V West Dublin |
Weekday peak periods only | West Dublin/Pleasanton BART (Pleasanton), Dougherty Road, Wells Middle School, Valley High School, Dublin High School, Dublin Swim Center, Shannon Park, Heritage Center, Kaiser Pleasanton, Hacienda Business Park | |||||
8A/8B Pleasanton |
Weekdays only | North-South, then loop | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Pleasanton (Bernal & Palomino) |
Hacienda Business Park, DMV, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Downtown Pleasanton (Village High School, Oak Hill Center, Senior Center, Ridgeview Commons, Civic Center), Kottinger Park |
|
Routes 8/8A/8B Schedule |
8 Pleasanton |
Saturdays only | Downtown Pleasanton (Neal & First) |
Hacienda Business Park, DMV, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Downtown Pleasanton (Pleasanton ACE Station, Village High School, Oak Hill Center, Senior Center, Ridgeview Commons) | ||||
9 Hacienda Business Park |
Weekday peak periods only (limited holiday service) | Loop | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Hacienda Business Park (Oracle, Walmart, CarrAmerica, Alameda Municipal Court, Hart Middle School, Chabot Drive) | Mornings operate clockwise; afternoons operate counterclockwise. Select trips originate from or continue as Route 70X at Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station. | Route 9 Schedule | |
10 Dublin-Livermore |
Daily (including holidays) | East-West | Livermore (LLNL/Sandia Transit Hub) |
Weekdays: Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station |
Dublin Plaza, Dublin/Pleasanton BART, Valley Care Medical Center, Downtown Pleasanton (First & Neal), Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, Downtown Livermore (Livermore Transit Center, Livermore ACE Station), Livermore High School |
|
Route 10 Schedule |
Early AM and late PM weekdays and weekends: Pleasanton (Stoneridge Mall) | |||||||
10V Santa Rita Road |
Weekday peak periods only | Pleasanton (Bernal & Palomino) |
Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Valley Care Medical Center, Downtown Pleasanton | Operates as a complement to Route 10 from 6:30am to 9am, then 4:15pm to 7pm | ||
11 Greenville Road |
Weekday peak periods only | East-West, then loop | Livermore (Las Positas & Greenville) |
Livermore Transit Center | Target, Las Positas Rd, Springtown | Operates counterclockwise from Las Positas & Vasco via Vasco, Northfront, Greenville, and Las Positas, with service to Preston St. | Route 11 Schedule |
12 Dublin-Livermore |
Daily (except Sundays) | East-West | Livermore Transit Center | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Hacienda Crossings, Waterford Center, Costco, Las Positas College, Airway Blvd Park and Ride, Downtown Livermore (ACE Station) | Limited school days-only service operates via Hagemann Park | Routes 12/12V Schedule |
12V Dublin-Livermore |
Weekday peak periods only | Airway Blvd Park and Ride, Downtown Livermore (ACE Station) | Express service between Hacienda Road/I-580 and Airway Blvd/I-580; route does not serve Las Positas College | ||||
14 Downtown Livermore |
Weekdays only | Loop | Livermore Transit Center | Junction Avenue Middle School, Chestnut, Olivina, Murrieta, Pine, P St, Fourth St, Civic Center, Livermore High School | Route 14 Schedule | ||
15A Springtown |
Daily (including holidays) | East-West, then loop | Livermore (Garaventa & Altamont Cr) |
Livermore Transit Center | Junction Avenue Middle School, Walmart, Kaiser Livermore, Target, Springtown Golf Course, Christensen School | Clockwise loop around Springtown; route serves via Blueball & Galloway before serving Christensen School | Routes 15A/15B Schedule |
15B Springtown |
Weekday peak periods only | Counterclockwise loop; route serves via Blueball & Galloway after serving Christensen School | |||||
18A Granada |
Weekday peak periods only (with special holiday service) | North-South, then loop | Livermore Transit Center | Granada High School | 4th Street, Holmes Street, Granada Community Center, Mendelhall Middle School, Vineyard High School, Granada High School, Valley Medical Center | Clockwise loop; route serves Concannon, Arroyo, Superior, Lexington, and Holmes mornings only | Routes 18A/18B Schedule |
18B Granada |
Weekday peak periods only | Counterclockwise loop; route serves Concannon, Arroyo, Superior, Lexington, and Holmes afternoons only | |||||
Wheels also operated an All-Nighter route, Route 810, that ran between Downtown Livermore and Bay Fair BART Station in San Leandro, serving areas currently provided by the all-day Route 10. However, due to budget cuts and low ridership, this route has been eliminated on June 27, 2009.[4]
Tri-Valley Rapid
Wheels launched its rapid transit service on January 24, 2011, called the Tri-Valley Rapid.[5] Billed as "the next generation transit system", the Tri-Valley Rapid makes travel in the Tri-Valley area (namely Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore) easier, safer, and cleaner, and it incorporates similar features already used by Bay Area transit agencies, like AC Transit and Golden Gate Transit, including:
- Buses operating every 10 minutes during peak periods (6:15am to 9am, 3:45pm to 7pm) and 15 minutes all other times to provide maximum convenience for passengers
- Stops are mainly concentrated at major intersections and attractions[6]
- All-day service (operates from 6:15am to 9:00pm on weekdays)
- New technologies (bus signal priority and queue jump lanes) that are used to move through traffic quickly
- New ultra low emission, low-floor buses with distinct styling
- Enhanced bus shelters with electronic bus arrival signs (similar to the NextBus deployed on AC Transit and San Francisco MUNI)
Schedule and stops served by the Tri-Valley Rapid
Express Routes
All express routes operate weekday peak periods only (between 5:00 and 9:00am and 3:30 and 8:00pm). Limited holiday service is provided on two routes on the following holidays:
- Martin Luther King Day
- Presidents' Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve (unless weekday service announced)
- New Year's Eve (unless weekday service announced)
Route Number | Direction | Terminals | Cities, Communities, and Attractions Served | Express Area | Direction of Travel | Notes | Schedule Information | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North/East Terminal | South/West Terminal | Morning commute | Afternoon commute | ||||||
20X | East-West | Livermore Transit Center | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Hacienda Business Park (Oracle), Vasco ACE Station, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL/Sandia Transit Hub, Mines Rd, First Street | Between Hacienda Road/I-580 (Pleasanton) and Greenville Rd/I-580 (Livermore) | Towards Livermore | Towards BART | Route operates special holiday service on select holidays | Route 20X Schedule Route 20X Holiday Schedule |
70X | North-South | Pleasant Hill BART Station | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Dublin, Walnut Creek (BART), Pleasant Hill | Between Dublin Blvd/I-680 (Dublin) and S Main St/I-680 (Walnut Creek) | Operates in both directions | Route operates special holiday service on select holidays. Select trips originate from or continue as Route 9 at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station. | Route 70X Schedule Route 70X Holiday Schedule | |
70XV | Pleasanton (Stoneridge Mall) |
Pleasanton (Stoneridge & McWilliams), Walnut Creek (BART, Kaiser Hospital), Pleasant Hill | Between Stoneridge Dr/I-680 (Pleasanton) and S Main St/I-680 (Walnut Creek) | Towards Pleasant Hill | Towards Stoneridge Mall | Walnut Creek Kaiser served morning trip only |
Shuttle Routes
Wheels' shuttle routes are numbered between 50 and 59, and these usually operate on certain days and at certain times only. These routes serve destinations close to BART and ACE stations.
Route Number | Days of Operation | Direction | Terminals | Cities, Communities, and Attractions Served | Notes | Schedule Information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North/East Terminal | South/West Terminal | ||||||
53 | Weekday peak periods only | North-South | Stoneridge Mall | Pleasanton ACE Station | West Dublin/Pleasanton BART, Alameda County Fairgrounds | Operates via I-680 (both ways) and Stoneridge & McWilliams (NB only); bus schedules coordinated with ACE trains | Route 53 Schedule |
54 | Weekday peak periods only | North-South | Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station | Pleasanton ACE Station | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Bernal Business Park, Hopyard Rd, Hacienda Business Park (Hart Middle School, Willow Rd, CarrAmerica, Walmart, Oracle, Alameda Municipal Court, Rose Pavilion), Koll Center, Hacienda Crossings | Operates around the Hacienda Business Park and Bernal Business Park northbound AM and southbound PM; bus schedules coordinated with ACE trains | Route 54 Schedule |
Select School Day Services
Wheels operates fifteen (15) dedicated Select School Day services (also called School Trippers) that bring students to and from schools in the cities of Dublin and Pleasanton, and these operate when schools are in session.
Regular Routes that Provide Select School Day Services: These routes provide additional trips to serve nearby schools along their main routes.
- 2 (East Dublin) to Fallon Middle School and Wells Middle School
- 3V (West Dublin) to Wells Middle School
- 11 (Greenville Road) to Livermore High School
- 12 (Dublin-Livermore) to Junction Middle School (ends at Airway Blvd Park and Ride)
- 18A/18B (Granada) to Granada High School, Mendelhall Middle School, and Vineyard High School
Select School Day-only Services: These trips are identified as routes numbered:
- In Dublin: in the 200s (two routes)
- In Livermore: one route (Route 16)
- In Pleasanton: in the 600s (twelve routes)
and these operate during school days only, with most morning trips leaving later on Wednesdays.
Route Number | Direction | School/s Served | Communities and Attractions Served | Schedule Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
16 | East-West | Livermore High School East Ave. Middle School |
Big Trees Park, East Avenue | Route 16 Schedule |
201 | East-West | Dublin High School | Central Pkwy, Tassajara Rd, Fallon Rd | Route 201 Schedule |
202 | East-West | Dublin High School | Dublin Ranch Villages, Dublin Blvd | Route 202 Schedule |
601 | East-West | Pleasanton Middle School | Ruby Hill, Bernal Avenue | Route 601 Schedule |
602 | North-South | Foothill High School | Downtown Pleasanton, Del Prado Park, Parkside, Valley Trails Park | Route 602 Schedule |
603 | East-West | Hart Middle School | Stoneridge, Muirwood Park | Route 603 Schedule |
604 | East-West | Foothill High School | Fairlands, Hacienda Business Park, Stoneridge, Muirwood Park | Route 604 Schedule |
605 | North-South, with Loop | Amador Valley High School | Fairlands, Amaral Park, Kamp Road | Route 605 Schedule |
606 | East-West, with Loops | Pleasanton Middle School | Vintage Hills, Tawny Park, Kottinger Drive | Route 606 Schedule |
607 | North-South | Hart Middle School | Laguna Oaks | Route 607 Schedule |
608 | North-South | Harvest Park Middle School | Mission Plaza, Amador Center, Nielsen Park, Amaral Park | Route 608 Schedule |
609 | North-South | Hart Middle School | Del Prado Park, Parkside Drive, Valley Trails | Route 609 Schedule |
610 | East-West | Hart Middle School | Fairlands, Valley Care Medical Center | Route 610 Schedule |
611 | North-South | Amador Valley High School | Ruby Hill, Vintage Hills, Tawny Park | Route 611 Schedule |
612 | East-West | Amador Valley High School Harvest Park Middle School |
Del Prado Park, Harvest Park, Amador Valley Community Park | Route 612 Schedule |
Transfer hubs
The major transfer points for the majority of Wheels' routes include:[7]
- Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station (for Routes 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 3, 3V, 8, 8A, 8B, 9, 10, 12, 12V, 20X, 51, 53, 54, and 70X)
- Also the main transfer point for Amtrak Motorway, County Connection, Modesto Area Express (MAX), San Joaquin RTD, and Tri-Delta Express buses.
- Livermore Transit Center in Downtown Livermore (for Routes 10, 11, 12, 12V, 14, 15A, 15B, 16, 18A, 18B, 20X, and 55)
- Also the main transfer point for ACE commuter trains.
Ticketing
Fares
Fares are effective 22 March 2009 [8]
Type | Adult (19-64)/Student (6-18)† | Senior (65+)/Disabled ‡ |
---|---|---|
Local | US$2.00 | US$1.00 |
Paratransit Service (Dial-A-Ride) | US$3.50 | US$3.50 |
- † Children under six years of age may ride free, but must be accompanied by an adult.
- ‡ Appropriate identification must be presented to obtain the discounted Senior/Disabled fare.
- ₮ In order to facilitate passenger connections between Wheels and County Connection buses, transfer slips are issued upon request at the time the proper fare is paid. Transfer are valid for two hours.
Transfers
Transfers are given out to passengers only at time of boarding, and these are honored only on the day issued and are valid on any Wheels fixed route bus within two (2) hours after boarding.
Transferring to a Wheels-operated route from:
- Another Wheels-operated route: Free
- County Connection: Free
- ACE: Free
- BART: add $1.00 to the fare (applicable to all fare types)
Transfers from a Wheels-operated route to BART, however, are not honored.
Passes
Wheels offers for sale several bus passes or punch cards which provide a discount over cash fare:
- Monthly Pass (East Bay Value Pass) for US$60.00, valid on all Wheels, County Connection, Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT fixed-route buses
- Senior (65+)/Disabled Monthly Pass for US$18.00
- Farebusters Ticket Strips (10 Rides) for US$16.00
Connecting transit agencies
- ACE, at the Pleasanton, Livermore, and Vasco stations
- Amtrak California, at the Livermore Transit Center and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station
- BART, at the Dublin/Pleasanton and West Dublin/Pleasanton stations in Alameda County, and at the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill stations in Contra Costa County
- County Connection routes, at the Dublin/Pleasanton, Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill BART stations, at shared stops in San Ramon along Alcosta Blvd., in Dublin along Village Pkwy., Dublin Blvd. Dougherty Rd., and at the Pleasanton ACE station
- Greyhound, at the Livermore Transit Center
- MAX Modesto BART Express, at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station
- San Joaquin RTD Routes 160 and 171, at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station
- Tri Delta Transit Delta Express, at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station
The local transportation demand management organization 511 Contra Costa also provides information for intermodal transfers throughout the county and works closely with Wheels to improve regional transit options.
All-Time roster
This roster is incomplete. Grey = retired
Fleet Numbers |
Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model Number | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0301-0310 | 2003 | Gillig | Low Floor 29' (G18E102R2) |
Cummins ISC | |||
0311-0334 | 2003 | Gillig | Low Floor 40' (G20D102N4) |
Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR | |||
0701-0702 | 2007 | Gillig | BRT HEV 29' (G30E102R2) |
Cummins ISB | Allison EP40 hybrid system | Purchased via San Joaquin RTD Purchasing Consortium. | |
0901-0902 | 2009 | Gillig | BRT HEV 29' (G30E102R2) |
Cummins ISB | |||
0903-0914 | 2009 | Gillig | BRT HEV 40' (G30D102N4) |
Cummins ISB | |||
1101-1104 | 2011 | Gillig | Low Floor? HEV 29' (G30E102R2) |
Cummins ISB6.7 | |||
22XX | 2007 | Ford/ElDorado National | E450/Aerotech | Ford Powerstroke V8 6.0L | Ford 5-speed |
| |
2401-2403 | 2004 | Ford/ElDorado National | E350 | Used on DART service. | |||
2501-2502 | ElDorado National | E-Z Rider II | Used on DART service. | ||||
2601-2603 | Hyundai Motor Company | Aero City | Used on DART service. | ||||
2701-2714 | 1997 | Ford/Eldorado National | E350 | Used on DART service. | |||
G3001-G3011 | 1990 | Gillig | Phantom 30' (30102TB6V92TA) |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HT-748 | To Kings Area Rural Transit 3001-3011. | |
G3501-G3515 | 1990 | Gillig | Phantom 35' (35102TB6V92TA) |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HT-748 | G3501, G3503, G3505, G3506, G3508 & G3514 to Kings Area Rural Transit 3501, 3503, 3505, 3506, 3508 & 3514. | |
F4001-F4020 | ? | Flyer | D800 | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Spicer 183 | Former Rideo units; transferred in 1985. | |
G4001-G4008 | 1990 | Gillig | Phantom 40' (40102TB6V92TA) |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison HT-748 | ||
4009-4012 | 2002 | Gillig | Low Floor 40' (G27D102N4) |
Cummins ISL | |||
F4021-F4032 | 1996 | NFI | D40LF | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R |
| |
4073-4074 | 2000 | Gillig | Phantom 40' (C20D102N4) |
Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | Suburban configuration | |
4075-4079 | 2002 | Gillig | Phantom 40' (C27D102N4) |
Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
| |
4077-4078 | 1983 | GMC | RTS-04 (T8J-204) |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison V730 | Ex-Golden Gate Transit 1028 & 1029; bought in April 1997. | |
4081-4085 | 2000 | Gillig | Phantom 40' (C20D102N4) |
Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | 4082-4084 were put up for auction as non-runners on 1/14/2015. | |
4086-4099 | 1983 | GMC | RTS-04 (T8J-204) |
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA | Allison V730 | Ex-Golden Gate Transit 1019, 1021, 1024, 1030, 1034-1036, 1039, 1044, 1048, 1055, 1059 & 2 unknown units; bought in 1999. | |
6301-6306 | 1981 | Gillig | Phantom | To Kitsap Transit 421-426 in February 1991. | |||
1980 | Flyer Industries | D901 |
|
References
- ↑ WHEELS - About LAVTA, retrieved May 24, 2007
- ↑ WHEELS - Routes, Timetables and Maps
- ↑ Wheels Transit Guide (2010 Routes and Schedules), effective January 22, 2011
- ↑ Transit.511.org
- ↑ Tri-Valley Rapid
- ↑ Tri-Valley Rapid Route
- ↑ WHEELS - Transit Centers
- ↑ WHEELS - Fare and Monthly Pass Information
External links
- Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority official website
- List of Wheels bus routes and descriptions