Ride free Tuesday on Wheels Ride free Tuesday on Wheels (April 02, 2004)

Fares are free on Wheels buses Tuesday, April 6, to celebrate the launch of its global positioning system.

The Automatic Vehicle Locator will use satellites to track buses as they move in traffic. Information will be transmitted to digital displays in special kiosks that enable riders to see, in real time, how long it will be before the next bus arrives.

The first two kiosks are located at the administrative offices of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, which operates Wheels, and at the Livermore Transit Center. LAVTA is planning to install a kiosk soon at the Pleasanton BART Station. Other kiosk sites have yet to be determined.

"The new real-time transit information system allows Tri-Valley commuters to efficiently and confidently predict their transit ride," said Cory LaVigne, manager of Planning and Operations for LAVTA. "The Web site interface will enable Wheels patrons to plan their bus travel regardless of traffic or weather."

The new systems were funded by the federal government with assistance from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and LAVTA.

For more information, visit www.wheelsbus.com. For over-the-phone custom trip planning assistance, call the Wheels Transit Information Center at 455-7500. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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