New MVI bus is on the road

The brightly colored vehicle can be seen throughout the Valley.

The Mon Valley Independent is officially on the move — and hard to miss.

A newly wrapped Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority bus now carries a fulllength, eye-catching advertisement for the newspaper, giving the MVI daily exposure throughout the region.

The bus travels through the heart of the Mid-Mon Valley — including Monessen, Charleroi, Donora, Belle Vernon, California, Monongahela and North Belle Vernon — with commuter routes stretching to Pittsburgh and PennWest California.

“It’s like a walking billboard — except it rolls right through our readers’ towns every day,” Mon Valley Independent co-owner Naz Victoria said. “This keeps us visible, connected and present. It’s about getting our name out there and showing that we’re rooted in this region and serious about local journalism. And for advertisers, it proves we’re invested in reach.”

The bold design came from Advertising/ Circulation Manager Lori Byron, who found inspiration during a quiet moment with her grandson.

“I was out fishing with him and kept seeing freight trains pass by, just covered in graffiti,” Byron said. “It was striking — raw, colorful, impossible to ignore. I thought, ‘That’s the kind of visual punch we need.’” Byron teamed up with MVI Graphic Designer Deb Pace to bring that vision to life.

“We worked together closely,” Byron said. “She took the ideas from my head and brought them to life. She’s the one who really got the art together — and it looks so beautiful.”

The wrap was printed and installed by The Sign Mill, completing a project that’s already turning heads on local streets.

The MMVTA serves more than 20 communities across Washington, Westmoreland and Fayette counties, providing consistent visibility in small towns as well as major commuter corridors.

Meanwhile, the MVI continues expanding its editorial footprint.

The paper covers the entire Mon Valley, from the river towns of California to McKeesport, and has recently grown to include Jefferson Hills and West Mifflin.

The MVI plays a vital role in keeping its communities informed, connected and engaged. The newsroom provides daily coverage of council meetings, community events, development projects, public safety and municipal budgets — and isn’t afraid to hold local officials accountable by shining a light on how tax dollars are spent, sharing reports from the rooms where decisions are made and giving a voice to people and places that are too often overlooked.

With a growing e-edition and online readership, the MVI reaches an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people a day.

The paper currently works with close to 200 advertisers — many of whom rely on the MVI as their primary connection to the Mon Valley community.

Curious to see the wrap in person? Watch for it out on the road — or check out the MVI online at www.monvalleyindependent. com to see what’s making news and why more readers and businesses are choosing to stay local.

“For us, this wrap is more than an ad — it’s a statement,” Victoria added. “It says we’re here, we’re visible, we’re proud to be part of the Mon Valley and we’re committed to covering it every single day.”

For more information on how to advertise with the MVI, or sign up for our e-edition or home delivery, call Byron at 724-314-0019 or email lbyron@yourmvi.com.