Vol. 4 No. 1 OAKLAND, MAY 1961 [ Assembly Adopts New Bill to Divert Bill to Solve Special Bridge Tolls Opposed School Bus Costs By East Bay Leaders Legislation, which would provide a Another attempt to divert Bay Bridge division of costs for special school bus tolls for Marin County and peninsula service between students who use it commuters has been met with renewed and the Oakland school system, has been opposition in San Francisco and the East approved by the Assembly in Sacra­ Bay this month. mento. AC Transit and area leaders joined The bill was introduced to help pre­ in new protests after a second bill was vent the loss of school bus service in the introduced in the State Legislature to Oakland hill area. H approved by the divert Bay Bridge revenue for recon­ Senate and signed by the Governor, it struction of the Transbay Transit Ter­ can become a law in time for the start minal in San Francisco for beneRt of of service this fall. buses which do not pay any tolls. The measure relieves school districts An earlier bill brought before the from part of the Rnancial burden in fur­ State Senate aroused such protest that nishing school bus service and provides, proponents agreed not to push it before instead, for an equitable distribution of the Senate Transportation Committee. costs between parents of students in­ The new bill, introduced by Senator volved and school taxpayers. Eugene McAteer of San FraNcisco, con­ It was introduced by Assemblyman tains the same provisions as the first Nicholas C. Petris of Oakland at the re­ measure, with the additional authoriza­ quest of hill area residents whose chil­ tion for construction of a heliport on the dren face the loss of bus service next terminal roof. fall. The bill was combined with . ~ simi­ H the bill is approved, bus services lar one by Assemblyman Edwin L. which pay no Bay Bridge tolls would be Z'berg of Sacramento and was approved getting the beneRt of facilities paid for Rrst by the Assembly Education Com­ largely by East Bay commuters, Transit mittee. Director Robert K. Barber pointed out. The bill would allow AC Transit to The resultant crowding also would seri­ operate the service, collecting a regular ously hamper district plans for increas­ fare from students and meeting any ex­ ing transbay service, he said. cess costs from a minimum guaranteed The directors unanimously voted to by the Oakland Board of Education. oppose the latest bill and again to seek (Col'IItilluea on Page 6) support of area groups. Veteran Transit Director Resigns What the Editors Are Saying About Transit Paul E. Deadrich, a veteran member number of civic groups, including the of the AC Transit board of directors, an­ San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Tribune: nounced his resignation this month. Chabot Lions Club, Broadmoor Men's Deadrich said he plans to move his Club, Family Service Agency of Central Caught in the Middle home from Hayward to Tuolumne Alameda County and San Leandro Wel­ County at the end of the school year fare Council. He also has been active in HE PARENTS of a considerable The Transit District on the other hand where he will operate a law and real the Southern Alameda County Bar As­ T number of Oakland school pupils claims it cannot subsidize Oakland estate office in the Sonora-Twain Harte sociation. are now caught in the middle of what school bus service on the grounds the area. The resignation was accepted by the presently appears to be a squabble be­ district is supported by taxpayers in two Representative of Ward V, including board with "deep regret." tween the Oakland Board of Education counties-many of whom already support Board President William J. Betten­ and the new AC Transit District. their own special school buses through court, also of San Leandro, cited Dea­ The fight is over payment for bus serv­ school taxes. drich as a "very devoted, dedicated and The Transit District has a good point. high-principled member of the board­ ice provided Oakland pupils attending schools located well off regular AC bus The district is not supported exclusively one whose vacancy will be difficult to by Oakland taxpayers. The district sug­ fill." runs. gests that the board underwrite the dif­ At present no real battle lines have Director Robert K. Barber of Kensing­ ference between the costs to the district been drawn between these two organiza­ ton said Deadrich "actively, progres­ for special service and the fares paid by sively and most forthrightly assisted the tions-nor should there be. Yet from such differences grow unpleasant feelings in the students. A part-pay precedent for board in what progress the district has this has already been established here. made." which both sides entrench themselves behind untenable positions that only This latter suggestion is a logical one work to the detriment of the public. and should be given close attention by the board. But there still is available to What 'seems to be needed now as a Chicago Transit Shows the board a remedy in Sacramento by means of extricating both sides from the means of a bill which would spell out the Decrease in Revenue dilemma are frank three-way talks be­ board's authority to pay a portion of the tween the board, the parents' groups and CHICAGO-Passenger revenue of the bus cost without having to assume the Chicago Transit Authority amounted to the AC Transit District. whole financial burden. $11,073,470 for the month of March, a At least such discussions would serve The bill, introduced by Oakland As­ decrease of $634,922 or 5.42 per cent as to keep the situation from further de­ semblyman Nicholas C. Petris has been compared with March, 1960. teriorating into a rock-throwing contest approved by the Assembly Education The amount was adequate to cover between two public bodies. And the Committee and deserves passage by the operation and maintenance expenses, presence of parents-who are also voters Legislature. Paul E. Deadrich debt service requirements, but left a -may help greatly in bot'h organizations deficiency of $479,201 in the $896,918 reaching some equitable compromise. monthly provision for depreciation re­ The problem involved is simply this: the area of Hayward, Castro Valley, San serve. Operator Retires I} The Oakland Board of Education has Lorenzo and portions of San Leandro, not budgeted any funds during the next J. H. Ashmore of 3016 Brook St., Oak­ Deadrich was elected to the first board MORE INFORMATION school year for bus transportation to out­ land, a veteran street car and motor when the district was formed in 1956. of-the-way schools such as the new hill coach operator, retired on May 1, end­ He was re-elected in 1958 to a four year A note or phone call to the transit dis­ area high school. ing 33 years in transit. term. trict-OLympic 3-3535-will place your The school board says it can't afford to Ashmore, who had been on sick leave A well known San Leandro attorney name on the mailing list for Transit Times budget any monies because state law re­ since last October, went to work for Key and member of a prominent family of if you are not already regularly receiving quires that if it pays any portion of the System in 1928, working on both the the area, Deadrich has been active in a a copy of the monthly newslett€r. cost it must pay it all. street cars and buses before his illness. 2 3 CURVE AHEAD-A corkscrew slide offers Transit Trai/s variety for the small fry at Richmond's Nicholl Park on Macdonald Ave. Try Nicholl Park in Richmond for Outing

By Virginia Dennison

There might be prettier parks with hill enough slides (five! ) and other equip­ and dale, but for a day of togetherness ment for everybody. (like the book says) it would be hard to While the youngsters play, Papa can beat Nicholl Park in Richmond. watch the ballgame on one of three dia­ It has everything-from kids to kids­ monds; practice his shots on a putting for everyone in the family. The one kind green or try to figure out the intent of LET 'EM ROLL-The intriguing pursuit of of kids are included in the miniature intense lawn bowlers, away from it all lawn bowling attracts a sunny morning farm. With the park on Macdonald Ave., behind a thick hedge. crowd on the Nicholl Park greens. The the obvious name for the animal collec­ For the teenagers, there's tennis and park has everything for the family. tion, of course, would be "Old MacDon­ a soon-to-be completed footfall field. ald's Farm." Bring your own eei-eei-o's. Mama can enjoy the serenity and con­ Your own kids will find ducks, pea­ versation of other mothers, watching cocks, pheasants and other birds, along from benches- if she isn't busy getting with the barnyard bunch. They'll also the lunch ready at the barbecue and pic­ find, and probably sooner, · a big play­ nic area near the miniature railroad. The area, exceptional in that it seems to have train, which nllls on week-ends when

KID MEETS KIDS"':"'Animals and children find mutual understanding- especially when a hand-out is involved....,.at Nicholl Park farm;

the weather permits and from 10 a.m. to Located at 30th and Macdonald, it also 7 or 8 at night during vacation times, is . has the advantage of being. convenient. an actual scale model of an S.P. stream­ You can reach it easily by bus, the L liner ~ and the 12M give direct service. There's If you need more atmosphere, actual little walking involved and it makes for trains add frequent background toots, a simple, old-fashioned kind of a day­ while they busy themselves about the uncomplicated, inexpensive, fun together Richmond yards. under the sun. Although it covers some 22 acres, the park has the added family advantage of For further data, including a "tour being all together, as far as most of its package" of schedules and a route map, attractions are concerned. . call Transit Information, OL. 3-3535. 5 Cut in Fare Asked for Elderly Riders Iron Horses of Bus Transportation A request by senior citizens for a re­ cents during off-peak hours for senior Sold to Oakland Dealer for $60,000 duction in fares for elderly riders with citizens in the low income category. The limited incomes has been taken under reduction, set-up on a four months trial study by the district's Projects Develop­ basis, will mean a saving for approxi­ Sale of 189 gasoline-powered buses uses, but still hardy and dependable. ment Committee. mately 150,000 people. for $60,000 has been approved by the The retired fleet includes the last 23 The plea for lower fares was made The lower rates apply to elderly peo­ board of directors, the final coup de of the pre-war 800 series, along with 95 to the board of directors this month by ple who earn no more than $1200 a year. grace for the pungent old iron horses of the 900 series and 75 of the 1000's, Mrs. Alexander Van Frank of Berkeley, Processing of applications and issuance of bus transportation. the end of the White line, with a "pan­ president of the Coordinating Council of cards to qualified citizens was han­ The motor coaches, retired from serv­ cake" engine under the floorboards and of East Bay Senior Citizen Groups. The dled by the Los Angeles Senior Citizens ice by AC Transit as new equipment ar­ a gasoline consumption that made them council, which represents 41 groups in Service Center and other volunteer rived, were sold to the Sam Clar Co. and high cost compared to diesel models. Associates, of Oakland, auctioneers and the area served by the district, stressed groups, without cost to MTA . The special With most of the old buses out of serv­ that a fare reduction would mean release rates are in effect for certain hours only-. liquidators. The gas buses have been in retirement ice, the district now is primarily diesel­ from a restricted life to thousands of propelled, with new equipment handling elderly persons living on low incomes. pasture at the East Oakland and Rich­ basic service on most of the local lines, No specific fare was suggested by the Bill Holds Answer mond division yards since the board de­ council, but Mrs. Van Frank pointed out To School Bus Costs clared them surplus earlier this year. on transbay runs and on new express that the Los Angeles Metropolitan Tran­ Once the pride and joy of the Key routes. (Continued from Page 1) sit Authority and the Detroit Railway System in the lush and lucrative days of When the first of the Whites went into Co. have adopted lower fares during Under present interpretation of the World War II travel, the coaches-many service in 1941, they were considered non-peak hours for men 65 and over and State Education Code, the schools must of them pre-war-were the work horses very plush and especially reliable. And women 62 and over, with limited in­ pay all the costs of school bus service of Bay area transit-even if they did the fumes were taken for granted. comes. if they pay any part of it. leave a trail of gasoline fumes to mark During the war years, the buses hauled In Los Angeles, fares have been re­ The Oakland board already has given their passing. full load of passengers, but gradually duced from the normal 25 cents to 15 notice it will end special school bus con­ They are expected to roll again, in they lost a financial race to the more tracts the end of this school year. Par­ smaller communities and under different inexpensively operated diesel coaches. ents, fearing their children may be stranded in hill areas, have announced "NOT IN SERVICE"-Veterans of East Bay bus transportation, the "old Whiteslll share IN MEMORIAM they are willing to pay a fair share of retirement pasture at East Oakland division yards before rolling again into new Louis E. Reid, 55, of 22223 Queen St., the costs. transit careers. Hayward, an instructor at Division 2, AC Transit directors maintain the dis­ died May 5 of leukemia, after a short trict cannot provide the special service illness. at a loss. Mr. Reid came to work for Key Sys­ According to William J. Bettencourt, tem as a driver in 1944 and later became board president, it would be unfair for a dispatcher and receiver, working at the transit taxpayers in Alameda or San different divisions. He was appointed an Leandl'o, for example, to have to subsi­ instructor in December, 1951. dize special school service in Oakland. A "green thumb" gardener, Mr. Reid "No other school district within the also was interested in fishing and in transit district is asking this," he said. traveling. He is survived by his wife, The legislation, which provides a shar­ Evelyn; two daughters, Mrs. Patricia ing solution and removes the taxpayer Mary Smith of Pleasant Hill and Mrs. from paying the entire bill, has the ap­ Marilynne Mendonca of Castro Valley; proval of the American Federation of and five grandchildren. Teachers and the California School Boards Association. 6 -; (l)ut the state and into Oregon, until they had the world's largest suburban elec­ tric transportation system. The first revenue train ran on the Ala­ meda trackage on June 8, 1911, replac­ ing the steam trains during off-peak hours. The experiment immediately proved to be a success and by August 1, the "Fernside " or "Cohen" loop was built to link the system along Encinal with the FIRST DAY-This fashionable group posed tracks along Pacific and Lincoln Ave­ at Alameda Pier on the first day of "Red nues, built years earlier by A. A. Cohen. Train" service. Many of first coaches had After "blanketing" Alameda, the S.P. square front windows. spread out to electrify its other commute lines. In Berkeley they switched from steam to volts on the Shattuck Ave. line on Dec. 23, 1911; on the Ellsworth St. Along with the Key System, the South­ line, Dec. 28, 1911; the California St. ern Pacific ran its trains over the bridge line, Jan. 1, 1912; and the 9th St. line, in 1939, sending the ferry boats to final Feb. 1, 1912. moorage. But the automobile and the Things moved briskly along on the pio­ bus defeated the "Red Trains" and in neer 7th St. line in Oakland, also; and 1941, after 30 years, the S.P. left the it was electrined as far as 55th Ave. by field to the Key System. REMEMBER WHEN?-Southern Pacific "Red Trains" await the commuter rush at the April, 1912; to Hillsdale on Dec. 29, 1912; Many of the cars were saved by the ornate Alameda Pier in this photograph of another transit era. They served for halt and to Dutton Ave. in San Leandro on advent of World War II and found a new a century. Oct. 1, 1913. home on the Pacific Electric in Los An­ For three decades, th·e red cars would geles, also an S.P. property. Tired, but be a familiar part of the commuter's faithful, they held down the last elec­ daily toil and the ferry steamtm they met tric service ~est of Chicago, by serving 'Red Trains' Rolled Just 50 Years Ago at Oakland and Alameda piers would for another 20 years on the run between take a vivid place in history. Los Angeles and Long Beach. It was 50 years ago this month that were a little cheaper than the competing the Southern Pacific "Red Trains" of nos­ Key System and, in Alameda particularly, talgic memory rolled smoothly through they provided a brand of service dear to Alameda, setting off their own special the hearts of early commuters. SAN LEANDRO BOUND-S.P. "Red Train" stops at the 7th St. and Broadway station era of "owl-eyed" transportation. For one thing, it was in Alameda that in 1933, when commuters enjoyed a daily train and ferry ride. This photo and one And strangely, while other early forms the S.P. tried out its first electric train, above from Ralph Demoro collection. of transit have rolled into oblivion, the running from the Alameda Pier at the "Red Cars" served out their half of a mouth of the estuary out Encinal Ave. century. to the depot at High St. and Encinal, The last old S.P. "Red Train" left Los using the tracks of the old South' Pacific Angeles on its final trip to Long Beach Coast line. last month, after providing electrified The rival Key System had already been service in the southland for 20 years. stringing wire for years, but once the Same old coaches, too. Southern Pacific awoke to the gold mine To East B'Y residents, particularly, of interurban transportation, they moved the "Red Trains" had a certain charm­ steadily ahead, expanding into a vast they weren't very comfortable, but they interurban system that spread through- 8 final Price Employment Director Finds There's Silver (Maybe) in Them Thar Hills

Board Approves Key System Settlement Once you've picked a nugget out of a it opened its new terminal in San Fran­ A final net purchase price of $7,480,000 went over the Key System facilities in stream or, more prosaically, hauled ore cisco in 1940. for Key System Transit Lines has been careful detail following the district's ac­ out of a tunnel, you're supposed to have He went to work for Key System in approved by the AC Transit board of di­ quisition of the transit lines last Oct. 1. a certain aura of expectation riding on 1944, serving as a supervisor, assistant rectors after months of detailed calcula­ Reductions in the purchase price were your shoulder. superintendent in charge of shipyard tions by engineering and accounting con­ attained following a physical inventory And it's there, burning brightly at the railroads and director of employment, a sultants. and audit performed by engineering and moment, on Martin L. Reite, who does post he kept with AC Transit. The settlement, which is some $20,000 accounting consultants retained jointly his prospecting at AC Transit's main of­ Upholding medical honors for the fam­ less than originally offered by the dis­ by AC Transit and Key System. Current fice as supervisor of employment. But at ily is his son, Dr. Martin L. Reite, who trict, has been agreed to by Key officials status of such accounts as material and a certain group of mines high in the graduated cum laude from Yale and is and will now go before the Key System supplies entered into the final purchase Pinion range of Nevada, the search con­ now interning in psychiatry at UCLA. Transit Line board of directors for final figure. cerns paydirt of another kind, a long Dr. Reite's aunt is Dr. Eleanor Nelson, approval. sought Mother Lode of silver. noted East Bay surgeon. The transit board authorized coinci­ If you take it by years, it would be As for the Nevada property-now the dentally with reaching final settlement of E. C. Jorgensen Gets hard to decide whether Reite is more of Sweepstake Mines Inc.-a long low level the purchase agreement the acquisition a veteran of transit or of mining. Both tunnel has been extended to where ex­ from Key System of two parcels of land New Appointment have come in for considerable activity. tensive drill holes indicate the main silver valued at $32,000 for purposes of bus Mining and medical studies are some­ ore body is located and the fabulous turn-arounds. One is located at Carlston E. C. Jorgensen, who learned over the years how to operate trains and buses, thing of a Reite family tradition, per­ dreams of the 1870's may be nearing ful­ and Walla Vista Aves. in Oakland and haps kicked off by an aunt and uncle fillment. the other is a small terminal at Mission and to even repair them when necessary, has moved out of Central Dispatch at who migrated to Natal in Africa during a Blvd. and Pinedale Ct. in Hayward. long ago gold strike. Division 2 to assume new duties as as­ The final price represents a figure ROCKHOUND - Martin Reite, who does sistant superintendent at Division 4. His father, the late John B. Reite, came reached by the consultants after they his prospecting in varied fields. Another of the veteran transportation to San Francisco in the 1880's to earn a men who worked from "the track!> up," reputation as a noted general contractor, with mining as a sideline. He was among Jorgensen started with Key System in Car Parking Lot prominent San Franciscans included in 1933 as a flagman - "single - tracking a syndicate which operated mines in the Replaces Station trains,'" in his own terms. silver-rich Railroad Mining District 30 The Piedmont Avenue train and bus He proceeded to street cars and buses miles south of Elko, Nev. as an operator, then became an instruc­ station of fond memory has bowed to the The mines shipped copper, silver and tor, inspector, supervisor and central dis­ wreckers' boom, making way for a new lead and Reite-known as "JB" on Mont­ patcher-including a wartime stint get­ parking lot. gomery St.-started explorations for the ting those shipyard workers to their jobs. As result, passengers for Lines C-San main ore body when his death in 1916 A mechanic and automobile repairman Francisco, 59- Broadway Terrace and 76 terminated operations. -Montclair are now boarding their buses in his spare time, Jorgensen also has a Martin, after three years of medical across the street from the station, at the working knowledge of what makes the studies, gave up that career to carryon northwest intersection of 41st St. and wheels turn-including company equip­ the family interQlsts-and to foster some Piedmont Ave. ment and the cars of many of his fellow of his own at the Eastman Gulch gold The property, owned by Key System workers. He lists as his other only hobby mine in Trinity County. Transit Lines, was sold to the City of "a poor game of golf." Oakland for the off-street parking facil­ Jorgensen lives at 1841 Keller in San In between, Martin has tallied years ity. The station, one of the last remnants Lorenzo-on one of the only streets with­ of experience in transportation, serving of the train era, was erected in 1937. out a "via." as terminal agent for the Santa Fe when 10 At an adjourned regular meeting April 20, Hl61, the Board of Directors: TRANSIT TIMES Pub I ished monthly by the • Referred to the General Manager ALAMEDA·CONTRA RANSIT DISTRICT for study a proposal by Peerless Stages 110 that its operations in southern Alameda County between Hayward and the county line be taken over by the transit BOARD OF DIRECTORS district, on motion of Director Barber. WM. J. BETTENCOURT . President Word IV • Approved extension of Line 68-Bar­ ROBERT M. COPELAND . . . Vice President rett Ave. from EI Cerrito Shopping Plaza Director at large ROBERT K. BARBER .. Director at Lorge to intersection of Fairmount and San WILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. Ward I WILLIAM E. BERK Ward II Pablo Avenues, on motion of Vice Presi­ JOHN McDONNELL Ward III dent Copeland. Ward V • Approved contract with State Per­ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS JOHN R. WORTHINGTON General Manager sonnel Board for job classification and ROBERT E. NISBET .. • Attorney JOHN F. LARSON . Treasurer··Controlier salary study at a cost not to exceed $2950, GEORGE M. TAYLOR. • • Secretary on motion of Director Barber. ~10 • Directed State Personnel Board to for purchase of Key System Transit Lines, use prevailing wages and salaries for on motion of Director Berk. comparable work in the Bay area and, • Authorized the sale of 189 gasoline where necessary, elsewhere in the State powered White buses for total price of as the guide in its salary study, on mo­ $60,000, on motion of Director McDon­ tion of Director Barber. nell. • Awarded contract for 2,000,000 new • Directed the Oakland Board of Edu­ transit tokens to Walter W. Cribbins cation be notified the transit district will Company, the lowest of two bidders, at cooperate in operating special school bus a cost of $25,640, on motion of Director service providing panmts and the school Barber. board share operation costs, on motion At a regular meeting May 3, 1961, the of Director Coburn. Board of Directors: • Approved change in lease of bus • Accepted with regret the resignation storage property adjoining East Oakland from the board of Director Paul E. Dea­ division terminal at Seminary Ave. and drich, on motion of Director Barber. San Leandro St., on motion of Director • Approved $7,480,000 final settlement Barber.

TRANSIT TIMES BULK RATE Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 1106 Broadway U.S. POSTAGE Oakland 7, California PAID Oakland, Calif. Permit No. 2105 ROSERT E NISBET A.S 2687 SHASTA RD. BERKELEY 8. CALIF.

Form 3547 Requested