MV Transportation: Celebrating 50 Years of Service

MV Transportation began with Feysan and Alex Lodde’s determination to help their community’s most vulnerable citizens. In 1975, realizing the limited transportation options for the elderly and people with disabilities, the Loddes began providing transportation services throughout San Francisco—one of the least accessible cities in the U.S. at the time. Today, these transportation services are known as paratransit services.

Feysan and Alex started this service because it was the right thing to do for members of the community who did not have viable transportation options. This commitment to serving people remains a defining feature of MV today.

Feysan recounts carrying her passengers in her arms down several flights of stairs, as buildings often were not equipped with elevators. “You had to balance a wheelchair and sometimes I had to carry somebody up in my arms if they didn’t weigh any more than 150 pounds,” she said in a recent interview. “Sometimes we had to go and get a fireman from the fire department to help us take someone upstairs.”

All too frequently, her pickups were the first time many of her passengers were able to leave their apartments in a long time.

In 1990, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, mandating accessible transportation for passengers with disabilities. The ADA marked a turning point for MV. With 15 years of experience in paratransit, MV stood ready to provide transportation solutions at scale, on behalf of municipalities and transit agencies. The period from 1990 to 2025 has been one of remarkable growth and transformation for MV, as the company was awarded hundreds of operations and maintenance contracts across the U.S. and Canada.

What started as a husband-and-wife operation in 1975 has grown to become a dedicated team of approximately 10,000 employees across 26 U.S. states and one Canadian province, united by a shared commitment to safety, reliability, and customer service. Today, MV still operates under the Loddes’ founding principles, and the needs of people and the community continue to drive the company’s mission every day.

The New MV

As 2025 marks the company’s 50^th anniversary and provides a moment to reflect on the company’s storied past, MV’s leadership team is focused on building on this rich heritage. With their sights set firmly on the future, the team is building what has come to be known within the organization as the “New MV.”

In August 2022, Harry Wilson joined MV as chairman and CEO, bringing decades of experience in transforming and growing companies across a range of industries, including several in-market logistics businesses. Kevin Klika returned as the company’s president and COO at the same time. Under their leadership, MV completed a substantial transformation that has set the stage for deeper investments in its employees and an expansion of service capabilities to better meet the needs of passengers and clients.

“We are building a high-performance culture of teamwork and collaboration, all in the service of our passengers and customers,” said Wilson. “We have made unparalleled investments in developing our people, building the best team in the industry, and establishing deep capabilities in the areas most important to our customers. Our commitment to world-class safety and outstanding customer service is fueled by our terrific teammates across North America, who embrace our shared mission every day. As we celebrate 50 years, we look forward to even greater achievements in the years to come.”

MV is committed to the communities it serves, constantly exploring new technologies and service models to enhance its offerings and meet the evolving needs of its customers, passengers, and communities. By maintaining industry partnerships that leverage innovative ideas and cutting-edge technology in areas such as safety, zero emissions, and microtransit, MV continues to shape the future of mobility.

“I’ve seen MV grow from a small, dedicated team to a national leader,” said Klika. “What has remained constant is our focus on our people and our commitment to providing safe and reliable transportation. We have always put the needs of our passengers and our people first, and that will never change.”

After 50 years, the heart of MV is stronger than ever, dedicated to serving people and communities. This commitment has defined its past and will continue to shape its future. As Feysan put it best, “If I had to go back to work today, I would go back as a driver. I want to be out there helping people.”