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Vol. 3 No.6 OAKLAND, OCTOBER 1960 AC Transit Takes Over Key System; First of New Service Begins Oct. 23 The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Oakland Point and ferry connections to District rolled smoothly into operation San Francisco. In the years since, the this month, ending nearly a century of East Bay has sampled horse cars, steam privately-owned transit in the East Bay. dummies, cable cars, the first trolleys, the The change-over, from the long reign more advanced electrics and the evolu­ of Key System Transit Lines and prede­ tion of the bus. cessor companies to a publicly-owned In taking over operation of their own system, went off without a hitch. transit system, the public can expect a As far as the public was concerned, the vastly improved system that will affect only immediate difference was in signs more than 300 miles of transit lines in and symbols. Greeting cards welcomed the next few months. riders aboard buses and told them they Richmond and Western Contra Costa were riding with AC Transit. The familiar County will be among the first to benefit. Key System symbol was covered over by New service will be established in a the emblem of the district and the buses number of residential areas, tentatively sent out on their usual routes, with their set for October 23. usual drivers. The take-over cleared the way for a New Service Ready $16,500,000 improvement program that As a result, some outlying districts will ranges from an immediate drop in fares get their first bus transportation. Resi­ for children to establishment of new serv­ dents will have direct service to down­ ice and acquisition of 250 new city and town business areas and to outlying suburban "Transit Liners." shopping centers. Efficient commute IITransit Linersll on the Way service also will be provided. The first 40 of the new buses-all air­ Other areas can expect needed new conditioned-will arrive in December, routes, line extensions and more frequent and the remainder will be delivered be­ service, with noticeable improvements as ginning in February through next June. soon as new equipment wheels into op­ Symbolically, change-over day was a eI·ation. milestone for the 1,000,000 residents of Five new express routes will link cities the East Bay. It was 97 years ago, ill between Richmond and Decato begin­ 1863, that public transit made its first ning next February; 55 miles of new local appearance, a steam train that took pas­ lines also will be established in the sengers from Seventh and Broadway to months ahead. What the Editors Are Saying About Transit

Oakland Tribune:

A New Era Seen in East Bay Transit

ATURDAY marks a new and hope­ new "Transit Liners" has been ordered S fully better era in the history of at a cost of $7,700,000. transportation in Alameda and Contra Directors of the district, however, have Costa counties. promised that revenues from passenger At one minute past Friday midnight, fares will be sufficient to retire the bonds, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit Dis­ principal and interest. trict-to be called AC Transit for short­ While deliveries of the new buses will takes over the Key System. not begin until December-and com­ The historic changeover ends 97 years pleted by June-passengers can expect CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP-Two checks totaling $7,500,000 are handed to Glen L. of various private ownerships and types improvement of service soon. Stanley, left, president of Key System Transit Lines, by John R. Worthington, AC of transport ranging from horse cars to Among the improvements planned are Transit general manager, in payment for district's purchase of the private co~pany. diesel buses. new express lines and new local lines into Looking on at civic luncheon honoring transfer is Edgar L. Buttner, right, preSident of residential areas not now served by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce which sponsored civic event. Saturday will mark the Rrst day that the public has ever owned and operated Key System. Also more frequent service its own transportation system in Metro­ is planned on existing lines. politan Oakland. The voters passed the Civic Leaders Witness Key Payment LABOR PEACE The end of one transportation era and One check, for $6,915,885, went to Bay bond measure necessary to buyout Key System on the recognition that fast tran­ The changeover from Key to AC Tran­ the beginning of another was completed Area Public Service Corp., as the holding sit is expected to be smooth. All Key Sys­ at an East Bay civic luncheon where AC company, and the other, for $584,115, to sit is vital to the area. They judged it a public service that must be maintained, tem workers have job protection and will Transit handed $7,500,000 over to Key Key System, as operating company, for work for the new district. System Transit Lines in payment for its the total $7,500,000 agreed on after sev­ despite its costly initiation. The public has high hopes of improved The new district will operate under a properties. eral months of negotiations. law providing for voluntary arbitration The payment, representing a major ad­ Worthington told the assembled group service, based on the engineering recom­ mendations and studies ordered by the of any unresolved labor disputes, thus vancement towards assuring the area's that not only had the district purchased providing some guarantee against turbu­ future growth and development, was wit­ Key facilities at a "fair price," it had ob­ new transit district's elected board of di­ rectors. lence, which in 1953 led to a 76-day nessed by some 150 city and county of­ tained "an excellent operating staff, 1300 strike. Rcials, state legislators and business of them. There can be no physical value LOWER FARES The seven elected directors of the new leaders. placed on their worth-they are invalu­ district face a tremendous task. They able in conducting our business." .. With the Rnancial transaction, the Key Fares will remain the same, except for have promised improved service at exist­ System went out of business and a pub­ He added that the district was enter­ immediate cuts to a lO-cent straight tariff ing fares without a tax levy to pay off licly-owned transportation system was ing the ReId at an opportune time, while for children under 13, who now pay adult the bonds. The public has given them the put into operation, on the note of a "bet­ bus transportation was on the upswing. fares of 25 cents plus zone charges. tools and the money. Now it is up to the ter, all-around operation." He concluded with the promise the dis­ East Bay voters created the new tran­ management to carry out this mandate. trict will ultimately furnish the "Rnest John R. Worthington, general mana­ sit district in 1956. In 1959 they approved But even though the public has pro­ public transit service in the nation." ger of the district, made the presentation a bond issue of $16,500,000 to Rnance the vided the means, it also faces a further in two checks to a nostalgic Glen L. Stan­ The luncheon was arranged by the operation-out of which sum will come responsibility. It must support this new ley, Key president, at the noon-time gath­ Oakland Chamber of Commerce as part $7,500,000 to pay Key System for its service to its fullest extent. After all, the ering at the Athens Club in Oakland. of the area's observance of the take-over. yards, buses and holdings. A Heet of 250 public has an investment to protect. 2 3 FIRST CALL-Switchboard operator Elzada Malinak greets first caller after READY TO ROLL - Crowd of well-wishers midnight change-over, w4lve as first bus flying AC Transit banner with a friendly, "Good leaves Emeryville yards for Treasure Island. morning, AC Transit."

NEW ORDERS-First bulletin issued by AC Transit upon commencing operations is handed to driver Guy R. Foster by Genral Manager John R. Worthington. WET LAUNCHING - Bottle of cham­ FIRST RIDER-Martin Huff, Oakland audi­ pagne is struck over bumper of AC tor-controller and transit enthusiast, drops Transit bus by Mrs. Robert K. Barber, first fare into AC Transit fare box as driver Ceremonies Roll First AC Transit Buses wife of AC board president. Guy R. Foster looks on. Formal launching ceremonies, com­ wife of the president of the transit dis­ plete with champagne for the "prow" of trict board, struck a bottle of champagne viding the best possible transportation levard just over the wire, at 12:01 a.m. a bus, sent AC Transit into operation this over the bumper of the first bus out of the at the least possible cost." It was driven by Edward G. Courant, month on schedule. Emeryville section, on a symbolic Treas" The first revenue passenger on the ini­ former trainman, who has been with Key The ceremonies were held at the Em­ ure Island run. tial run was Martin Huff, auditor-con­ since 1946. eryville yards and served to get the buses John R. Worthington, district general troller for the City of Oakland and a The first Division Three bus, on the rolling in a change-over that went as manager, sent out driver Guy R. Foster transportation enthusiast. No. 72 line, left the Richmond yard at "smooth as silk," according to veteran with best wishes and the hope his first trip First bus to roll under the new district 21st and Macdonald at 12:45 a.ill., put­ Dispatcher R. E. Hawes. for the district would be "as successful banner got away from the Division Four ting all divisions into operation within an Mrs. Robert K. Barber of Kensington, as we believe the district will be in pro- yard at Seminary and San Leandro Bou- hour after the official take-over time. 4 5 District, Union Draft New Labor Contract Transit: Fares for Children in Easl: Bay CuI: to 10 Cents, Zone Charges Dropped Drivers t:o Receive 29-cent: Wage Increase Over Two-year Children under 13 are riding for a fect at take-over time, will make it easier Period, Improved Working Condit:ions and Ot:her Benefit:s dime anywhere in the East Bay on Ala­ and cheaper for mothers, particularly, to The basis for a new contract agree­ increase over the period, with compara­ meda-Contra Costa Transit District lines, take the youngsters with them shopping. ment, that will give transit district work­ tive boosts for most other classifications. as result of one of the first public services Also in the department of the younger ers a wage boost and other benefits over It also provides for increased health inaugurated this month after take over generation, the District inaugurated an a 25-month period, was approved this and welfare benefits, recognizes Wash­ from Key System. "emergency" school bus service October month by the district board of directors. ington's birthday as an additional holi­ Under Key, children paid adult cash 3 to serve four East Oakland schools. The proposals will cost the district day and liberalizes vacations. fares of 25 cents, plus additional zone The new line, first to be started by the $611,977 the first year and another $526,- Under the agreement, bus drivers charges, a price that added up to sub­ district, was hastily put together to take 373 the second year, but can be financed would get a 6.25 per cent pay boost the stantial sums for many a parent. care of youngsters who were left at the from existing fares and tax incomes, ac­ first of next month, raising their salaries One-way fare for children riding be­ start of the new school year without cording to John R. Worthington, AC from $2.40 to $2.55 an hour. They would tween the East Bay central zone and San means of reaching Grass Valley Elemen­ Transit general manager. receive another 5.5 per cent raise De­ Francisco is 20 cents. Travel from Zones tary School, King Estates Junior High The tentative settlement, designed to cember 1, 1961, increasing wages 14 cents 2 and 3 is an additional 5 cents. School, Bishop O'Dowd High School and bring a long period of labor peace and to $2.69. The new schedule, which went into ef- Castlemont High School. stability to East Bay transit operations, Other employees, with the exception was reached after six weeks of informal of top mechanics, would get the same talks with officials of Carmen's Union. percentage boost. Class A mechanics Eight Seek Election to District Board The contract proposals, which also would get 32 cents an hour hike Novem­ cumbent, William H. Coburn, Jr., Berke­ carry the recommendation of union ber 1 and 14 cents a year later, bringing Eight candidates, including three in­ ley attorney, opposed by Leo W. Brown spokesmen, are to be presented to the their hourly rate to $3.14, as of Decem­ cumbents, will be seeking election to the of Berkeley, a mechanic, and Jack Gib­ 1,100 membership of the union local for a ber 1, 1961. Board of Directors of AC Transit District bons of Oakland, a research consultant. referendum vote, tentatively October 20. The settlement, which would extend to on the November 8 general election bal­ The two-step wage hike would give November 30, 1962, was cited by both lot. some 875 bus drivers a 29-cent hourly district and union representatives as "fair The surprise action of Incumbent J. and equitable" and was held indicative Howard Arnold of Albany in dropping Board Adopts $10,106,000 of the cooperative labor relations that will out of the race for re-election to Ward 2 New Transit Route and instead running for director at large Operating Estimate, Sets Up prevail with AC Transit. Workers' Jobs and Wages Map Now Available Worthington said he was hopeful that leaves William Berk of Richmond unop­ Transit riders can not only see how to the settlement would bring "labor stabil­ posed for the ward representing EI Cer­ The Board of Directors of AC Transit rito, Kensington, Richmond, San Pablo, adopted a $10,106,000 operating estimate get to their destination, they also can get ity" as well as "substantial economies" by for the remainder of the fiscal year and some ideas on where to go sight-seeing reducing labor turn-over. EI Sobrante and Albany. created 109 job classifications. through new route maps now available. "With this contract, we are closely ap­ Berk, only candidate whose election is The operating estimate was set on basis assured, is a Richmond business execu­ of $8,780,000 expected from revenue, as The gaily-colored maps, with informal proaching parity with other California well as tax proceeds and other income, illustrations, show the streets on which transit systems, which is a necessity if tive and community leader. including interest on invested bonds. district lines operate, along with 45 points the district is to attract high-quality per­ Arnold will be opposing Robert K. An estimated surplus of $1,471,000 is Barber of Kensington, president of the anticipated for purposes of establishing of interest, ranging from the Alameda sonnel and reduce labor turn-over, a seri­ a continuing fund guaranteeing availabil­ beaches to Woodminster Amphitheater. ous factor in wage costs," he pointed out. transit board of directors and a director­ ity of money for payment of bond interest The folder, entitled "A Guide for Go­ F. Vern Stambaugh, union president, at-large. and retirement each year as they become . Other candidates in the director-at­ due . ing Places on AC Transit," has an area told the transit board of directors that The Board, in establishing 109 job clas­ map on one side and a Downtown Oak­ as result of "fairness and cooperation large race include George H. Adams of sifications and corresponding salary rates. Oakland, a Southern Pacific engineer, continued the schedule maintained by land detail map, with information on shown by the district we will do our ut­ Key System Transit Lines. The classifica­ "places to go," on the other side. most to give our full cooperation and ef­ and Leo Baum of Oakland, owner of a tions amount to ·a monthly payroll of Copies can be obtained at 1106 Broad­ fort in providing the finest transportation downtown Oakland pharmacy. $619,200. way, Oakland. system in the nation." A contest in Ward 1 will see the in- 6 7 ACTIONS OF THE

At an adjourned regular meeting Sep­ tember 28, 1960, the Board of Directors : TRANSIT TIMES • Authorized the General Manager to Published monthly by the conclude execution of agreement for pur­ ALAMEDA-CONTRA/f£9~ T~'\ TRANSIT DISTRICT chase of Key System Transit Lines, on 1106"aib.idway motion of Director Coburn. "~, ,~ .;535 timates for remainder of fiscal year, set­ Alan L. Bingham, Editor ting budget at $10,106,000, on motion of BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROBERT K. BARBER . . . President Director McDonnell. Director at large • Established 109 job classifications WM. J. BETTENCOURT . . Vice President Ward IV and corresponding salary rates as re­ ROBERT M. COPELAND Director at Large quired to employ Key System personnel WILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. . Ward I and commence district operation, on mo­ J. HOWARD ARNOLD . Ward II JOHN McDONNELL Ward III tion of Vice President Bettencourt. PAUL E. DEADRICH Ward V • Adopted Passenger Tariff No.1, re­ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS JOHN R. WORTHINGTON General Manager taining fares charged by Key System, ex­ ROBERT E. NISBET . . Attorney cept for children, in which case fares JOHN F. LARSON . Treasurer--Controller GEORGE M. TAYLOR . . . Secretary were reduced, on motion of Director Co­ ...... '0 burn. • Approved procedure for investment, • Approved change of official district deposit and withdrawal of district funds, address to 1106 Broadway, Oakland, on on motion of Director Coburn. motion of Director Coburn. * * * Patronage Climbs on New At the regular meeting October 5, 1960, the Board of Directors: Freeway Express Bus Line • Adopted recommendations of Gen­ FORT WORTH-Time-saving, air-cooled eral Manager concerning proposals for a express bus service established into two-year labor contract negotiated by downtown Fort Worth recorded a 50 per representatives of the district and Divi­ cent increase in patronage during the sion 192 of the Carmen's Union, on mo­ second week of operation. tion of Director Copeland. The freeway express service, accord­ • Authorized President Barber to at­ ing to officials of the Fort Worth Transit tend the annual meeting of the American Company, is expected to show further Transit .Association in Philadelphia, on gains as additional area residents learn motion of Vice President Bettencourt. of the new service.

TRANSIT TIMES BULK RATE Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District U.S. POSTAGE 1106 Broadway Oakland 7, California PAID Oakland, Calif_ BAR SARA J H'JI)S , )~ Permit No. 2105 LIBRARIAN. BUHF .l\I) p' l :':: ifiM lJ:.JIVERSITY nF (~~!.I;' BF:-<~FLEY 4 CA!.IF i"

Form 3547 Requested