How MV Transportation is leading the way in safe, reliable and accessible transportation
Partnering with over 100 transit agencies, municipalities, schools, and corporations nationwide, MV Transportation (MV) is the largest US-owned transportation company and a leading transit services provider in the United States. With 50 years’ experience, MV empowers millions of Americans with seamless transit options every day, and is committed to safety, reliability and superior service.
MV was founded in 1975 by husband-and-wife team, Feysan and Alex Lodde, who were determined to help their community’s most vulnerable citizens. With
transport services limited for people with disabilities and the elderly, the couple began providing transportation services throughout San Francisco, one of the least accessible cities in the US at the time. Today, these services are known as paratransit services and are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Feysan and Alex started this service because they felt it was the right thing to do for members of the community who did not have viable transportation options,” opens President and COO, Kevin Klika. “Feysan recounts carrying her passengers in her arms down several flights of stairs, as buildings often were not equipped with elevators. All too frequently, her pickups were the first time many of her passengers were able to leave their apartments in a long time. This passion for people, both the passengers and clients we serve and our teammates who provide that service, has remained constant despite the company’s growth. With over 10,000 employees now serving several US states and one Canadian province, MV is a special place to work and with which to partner.”
MV’s core offer is safe and reliable transportation services tailored to meet the needs of people who depend on public transport. “We provide outsourced contract operations and maintenance for both paratransit and fixed-route systems, serving transit agencies, municipalities, private companies, universities and other government clients,” Kevin explains. “Over the years, we’ve expanded into airport and campus shuttles, school bus systems, and on-demand micro transit services. We’re also supporting the deployment and management of zero-emission fleets and building data-driven technology integrations that allow for more intelligent routing, customer engagement, and fleet performance through our professional services offerings.”
Reflecting on MV’s 50th anniversary, Kevin continues: “We’ve always believed that transportation is about much more than logistics, it’s about the people and the communities we serve, and this founding mission has shaped every decision for the past five decades. We’ve also been nimble, adapting to changes in policy, customer expectations and technology without ever losing sight of our core values. Lastly, we’ve prioritized operational excellence, and our team of over 10,000 professionals is among the most experienced and passionate in the industry. This human capital, combined with a safety-first culture and strong partnerships, has fueled our longevity and growth.
“Around three years ago, we began a significant journey to create a ‘New MV’, with Harry Wilson joining as Chairman and CEO, and me returning to MV as COO. We’ve built on our incredible heritage by doubling down on our best features, such as our commitment to people, training and development, while investing in the areas that make the biggest difference to our clients’ experience. We have a lot to be proud of, but we’re constantly looking to improve in line with our culture of continuous improvement.
“The ‘New MV’ represents our deep focus on employee development, operational and safety systems management, and customer service training,” he adds. “We provide the broadest set of training options in the industry, including our General Manager Development Academy, all of which is designed to build the strongest bench of transit professionals in the industry.”
As a core pillar of its ‘New MV’ strategy, the business has implemented several new technologies like AI, data systems, and mobility technology, to future-proof operations and offer more personalized solutions. “For us, the most impactful applications lie in performance optimization, improving the ridership experience, and of course safety,” Kevin explains. “We’re using AI to improve our employee experience, for instance, as well as driver monitoring and vehicle data. On the passenger side, we’re enhancing the user experience through AI enabled call centers, digital engagement, automated notifications, and accessible app interfaces. Technology is the key to scalability, and we’re building the infrastructure now to meet the transportation demands of tomorrow.”
Another key aspect of MV’s overall operation is safety. “Safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a core value woven into every aspect of our company,” Kevin confirms. “We’ve made substantial investments in advanced safety systems, comprehensive operator training, real-time data analytics, and robust field supervision. Our safety culture goes beyond policies and procedures; it’s a shared mindset embraced by every employee, and as a result, our operations consistently rank among the safest in the industry.”
Turning to the future, Kevin shares what’s next for MV. “While we continue to invest in and build on the gains we have made in recent years, we will also be celebrating our 50th anniversary and the legacy we have built so far,” he says. “In terms of expansion, we have a strategic and disciplined mindset. We’re not interested in growth for its own sake but instead look for markets where we can truly add value, strengthen mobility outcomes, and form long-term, collaborative relationships with transit agencies and municipalities.
“Our commitment to delivering safe and reliable services to our passengers and customers remains at the heart of our operations, as we strive to deliver excellent customer experiences,” Kevin concludes. “We want MV to be the partner of choice for transportation services in North America by offering the best passenger and client experience in the industry and setting the standard in safety and innovation, all at a competitive cost. I see us deepening our role even further as a people-first organization that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of passengers and communities every day.”