Going in service fJ.", Operators train in bus-that-bends

"S~'U' Veteran drivers are learning to operate a that trailer back there. new transit vehicle - a coach 20 feet 'This bus handles beautifully. But like 1Uute longer than the standard city bus. any other bus, it does demand constant By mid-October, more than 110 District alertness - defensive driving." drivers had been taught the intricacies of I am writing again about the heaters I wish to thank all those involved in the handling the new 60-foot articulated being turned on in the coaches. It has been prompt refund of $19 to me (the remainder coaches. various drivers and various coaches but the of a $20 bill I mistakenly placed in the These vehicles have an accordian-like problem is exactly the same. Every day I farebox of the San Francisco bus from connection enabling them to bend in the have to either put up with it, find a seat Richmond). middle to better negotiate highways and where I can open a window, or nag the I also wish to congratulate everyone at byways. driver day after day to turn the heat off. AC Transit for the fine service you provide Riders will be noticing improvements in It is unbelievable to me that in this tem­ me and all who prefer to take the bus. comfort inside the new vehicles: seats for perate climate the heaters need to be on. I Valerie Alvarez up to 69 passengers, large windows for bet­ can understand heating the buses first thing San Pablo ter visibility, and air-conditioning. in the morning to warm the interior, but Drivers already notice mechanical then the heat should be turned off. • • • features which make for easy operation: Mrs. J. R. Stallings This letter is to extend thanks on behalf four-speed automatic transmissions with Alameda of West Contra Costa County Transit push- button shift selectors, power-assisted Thirty of these lengthy M.A.N. (Ed. Note: Please be assured that we are Authority for the exemplary services of steering, and the self-steering "trailer" sec­ (Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nurnberg) concerned about the problem of ventilation Gene Gardiner, Mike Mills, and Carl tion. buses were ordered by the District in 1975. in our buses. Maintenance Department is Knutson. Their advice and expertise was Rear wheels of the articulated coach Delivery began this summer, and the working to make heater controls easier for invaluable in helping to produce the steer in concert with the front wheels for coaches are now scheduled to be phased drivers to regUlate. Also, Transportation WestCAT Bus Service program, which is maximum cornering ability, while the into service on heavily-patronized lines. Department has posted a bulletin remind­ proving to be an economical and popular diesel engine powers the center of the ing drivers to make every attempt to control service. coach's three axles. heat in buses so as to provide optimum The success of this system owes itself, in "Taking straight streets and turns in this Voters of District comfort to riders.) part, to their great assistance for which we bus isn't much different from driving a Choose 4 Directors express our many thanks. conventional two-axle bus," according to • • • Tom Gozzano, Chairman Chief Instructor Cecil Gross. In election Nov. 7 "But in this driver's seat, you have to WCCCTA Four positions on the Board of Direc­ keep in mind 20 extra feet of length - and I would like to express a very tors will be filled when District voters cast meaningful THANK YOU to one of your • • • ballots November 7. drivers. Qaude Day drives the D line bus THE COVER - Training Depart­ Fifteen candidates will be vying for seats out of Walnut Creek. That bus carries We have had many drivers on the Treas­ ment takes to the streets to teach the art of handling the articulated coach. on the board, including Incumbent Direc­ many school children in addition to com­ ure Island bus that I ride. Most of them are tors Paul B. Godkin, Roy Nakadegawa, muters and it's difficult to keep to the fine drivers. On a lightly-traveled Berkeley Marina street (upper photo), drivers John L. McDonnell, William J. Betten­ schedule but Day tries very hard not to be Mr. Otarles Johnson, however, is some­ court, and Jean A. Holmes. late. He's also a very good, safe driver and check effects of steering while leng­ how a little more special. People on the bus thy vehicle is near curb. Operators Six candidates have filed for Director­ an extremely nice person. all like him, I know. He has a pleasing Ron Ford, C. C. Ferrell, and J. G. at-large; five for Ward 3 (Alameda, Pied­ Another driver that needs a pat on the manner, is meticulous in appearance, is Watson (left to right, lower left mont, and Oakland's Dimond, Fruitvale, back is Frank Armas, on the D line in the courteous to everyone, and is a very safe photo) listen as Instructor C. H. Ben­ Melrose, Mills College, Oakmore, Semin­ morning. He's always on time getting me to driver. son explains controls housed behind ary, Piedmont Pines, and Montclair dis­ work. AC Transit is, I am sure, proud of this exterior access panels; and (lower tricts); one for Ward 4 (San Leandro, right photo) Benson fields a question Thank you for two excellent drivers. fine employee. Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and part of Phyllis T. Dimick Mrs. B. Margot from Ford while Ferrell wheels bus through the training session. Oakland); and three for Ward 5 (Fremont, Livermore Alameda Newark, and most of Hayward). 2 3 :,~ ?2etizemeJlt?2epozt ... ,: . ~'.\" More retirees look ahead to leisure

Please yield seats to David Rodrigues earl Robinett Vernon Shinkle elderly and handicapped David "Rod" Rodrigues, retiring as persons when needed. PREITY PASSENGERS - Not all AC Transit works in Maintenance at Newark Divi­ coaches carrying Oakland Raiders advertising maintenance superintendent, Newark sion), plus two grandsons, Eric and Bryan. otices now on coaches also carry a contingent of comely Raiderettes. Division (he served in the same capacity Their retirement plans call for some request patrons to yield seats behind This one was graced with a trio ofofficial Raider previously at Richmond Division), doesn't fishing and some traveling. the driver and near the front door to rooters purely for promotional purposes: for expect to be at all bored during his retire­ Vernon Shinkle, operator at Newark persons who are handicapped or Fall , for football, for transit advertising, and for the system's service to Raiders games. ment years. He plays golf three times a Division and previously at Seminary Divi­ elderly. week, looks forward to doing some travel­ sion, was a veteran driver before he joined The priority seating is identified ing, and enjoys crafting items out of metal AC Transit 15 years ago. He had driven by this orange, yellow and black All divisions reach and wood. decal affixed to the window. previously for San Francisco's MUNI and Inauguration of the priority seat­ September safety goal A woodworking project that's his cur­ for transit systems in St. Louis, Mo., and ing program follows last year's study rent pride is a dollhouse he created (in­ Los Angeles. In all, he worked for 32 years of transportation needs of senior Drivers in all four divisions achieved cluding the tiny furniture) at the request of as a driver, but he singles out AC Transit citizens and disabled persons. the September safe-driving goal - 13,250 one of his daughters. as "the best I ever worked for ." miles between chargeable accidents - When "Rod" joined Key System in 1938, Vernon, wife Betty, and son David, 14, while driving a total of 2,455,553 miles he was assigned to track and roadway will be moving from Fremont to Arkansas BAUTI ends '78 seminars during the month. maintenance, then became a mechanic in by the end of the year. They plan to acquire Twenty-four participants representing Newark Division topped the safety list, 1941. Returning from Army service in property in that state, which Vernon de­ eight transit organizations attended the with drivers logging 37,242 miles per acci­ 1946, he became a bus maintenance fore­ scribes as "loaded with good fishing." year's final Bay Area Urban Transit In­ dent. Richmond Division came in second man. He's been a maintenance superinten­ The Shinkles have two other children, stitute, held October 16-20. in the totals with 17,821 miles between ac­ dent since 1963. Patricia and Anthony, and are the grand­ AC Transit is a joint sponsor of the cidents. Seminary Division's tally was "Rod" and wife Mary have five parents of Darrell, 8, and Chad, 6. seminars, which spotlight the varied func­ 16,767 miles per ' accident; Emeryville's children: David, Patricia, Joseph .(who John V "Jack" Wright, retiring with 15 tions contributing to transit operations. was 16,249 miles between mishaps. works in Emeryville Division's unit room), years of service as a driver at Seminary Pamela, and Donald. There are also four Division, actually began as an operator for Employees Turegano, Jackson, Moss meet deaths grandchildren, with number five due this Key System in 1946. After four years, spring. however, he moved to a farm in Nebraska, Three employees died within recent since 1972, died in Oakland on October 5. Joining Key System in 1939, earl "Rob­ remaining there for 13 years before decid­ weeks. He worked at Emeryville Division. bie" Robinett was assigned to track, road­ ing that "the small farmer doesn't have Albert P. Turegano, 60, a claims adjus­ Funeral services were held in Oakland. way, and train maintenance prior to an in­ much chance." He returned to driving in tor, died September 29 at his home in Pied­ Jackson is survived by his father, Her­ terruption for four years of service in the 1963. mont. In his 15 years with the District, he bert H. Jackson. Army. Returning to civilian life in 1945, he Wright's leisure plans center around his served as a driver at Emeryville Division, Oliver Moss, 51, a mechanic and relief became a mechanic on the trains until they home on Bethel Island, where he enjoys then transferred to Claims in 1976. working foreman at Seminary Division, were phased out in 1958. He then was "puttering around" the yard; around his He was a native of Texas, where funeral died October 16 in Oakland. He had been assigned to Maintenance at Seminary Divi­ 28-foot boat, which he uses for frequent services were held. employed by the District for 15 years. sion, where he worked to keep buses in top fishing trips; and around such projects as Turegano is survived by three sons, Funeral services were held in Oakland. working order until his date of retirement. restoring a vintage pick-up truck. George, Preston and Walter Turegano, and He is survived by his widow, Irene, and The Robinetts are long-time residents of The family consists of wife Estelle, a daughter, Nora Hernandez. five children: Olivia, Oliver, J r., Kevin, San Lorenzo. "Robbie" and wife Hazel daughters Delores and Carol, four grand­ Kenneth Daniel Jackson, 29, a driver Kathryn, and Charlotte. have two sons, Tim and Ronald (who children, and five great-grandchildren. 4 5 Pa8Mllg8l' Tripe Aug. 1878 Aug. 1977 % Change August Eaat Bar •••••• •• .• .••• 3.11" 3.443.130 ~.5 TrllnllbtlJ •• •• •••• •••••• 1.128,423 -12.0 FremonI}Newark •••••• • 104.887 -5.8 Contract a.mces: Report BART' ...... --118,.-. -,123 17.3 ~ •••.••...... 44 •• 44.748 -.8 PIeaeant HlI •• •••• •• 11.- 9,882 14.8 Morage/Orincla • •• • •• 1S.ooa 14.005 7.1 Pltt8burg/AniIoch/- ....dWOOd ••••••• • 9•• 8,583 12.8 Tot...... 4.-.100 4,812.m ...2 FaraRev..... &aliIJay' ...... • ..... • 704,Q84 21.8 TraneitaJ .· .. •...... · ~rl! 828,743 14.2 FremonIJNewIIrII ••• • ••• ...","", 19• • 22A Contract ...... : ."" .. , .., .... ~ ... . 31.- 18.4 ~ ...... 7,'D5 15.7 P ...... 1,338 26.5 ~...... 2,148 29.8 PIttaburg/AntIochI- ...... 13A To1ft' .. .. •...... f '" 18.2 Time-conscious commuters are not Buena and the San Jose were the first two purely products of the last, harried half of in service) bound for San Francisco. Eael _ ...... " • •• 1._ ", 03.1 m_ -2.3 the twentieth century. Patronage was such that, in less than two ~ ... n •• There certainly were enough of them in .. .. ,. Ill'· 128,173 SA weeks, hourly service became half-hourly, Contract lea: the East Bay 75 years ago to provide the with 67 trains running daily. Only three ."" .••••...... ~ 133,271 21.5 highly successful launching of Francis M. weeks later, 20-minute service was offered, ~ ...• •...... 48_ 4.1 "...... HUl ••• ...•• 10.&48 "Borax" Smith's fast new train-ferry with 73 trains daily. 18,214 -.1 system geared to the promise of 35-minute In its East Bay debut, electric-powered ~~·I···· runs from Berkeley to San Francisco. rapid transit had proved not only tech­ ~: .. . 3U47 4.8 Total ...... 2...... Smith's Key Route electric train service, nically feasible but appealing enough to in­ ... inaugurated in Berkeley on Oct. 26, 1903, sure immediate and enthusiastic accep­ initially consisted of 41 trains and two fer­ tance. ;';':'" ,,,...,...... : ~ .: ries to serve transbay travelers daily. East Bay riders boarded the clean, quiet trains 5.eoo.ooo with their electrically-illuminated coaches 1978 J \ - 1917 I (rival SP's steam-powered trains still used 5.eoo.eoo 1976 oil lamps) for the short ride to the new \ - I I I 3114 -mile-long ferry pier stretching across 5.400.000 \ Jl :1 Oakland's tidelands to deep water. ,\ , I 1\ , i There, they boarded a ferry (the Yerba 5.200.000 Jl ~\ 'T ~ J \ , 1\ \1 \' I ~ ~ 5.000_ \, \ \ I I \. l\ 1/ ! '7amed 4 __ ..... \\ J ! togo \\ \ I i .... \1, i \, i ~ RAIL AND FERR Y TALE-In the photo at top of page, three forms of early-century transporta­ .--...... tion are shown: trains (right of Key Route depot), steam-powered ferry (left) and sailing ships. The J .~ other photo above shows the Yerba Buena, which made the inaugural Key Route Oakland-San 4.2OD.11GO l Francisco run in 1903, entering its slip. By 1909 the train-ferry service had expanded to serve all the on strike East Bay communities noted on the system 's distinctive symbol (above). ~-. - 11/21/77-1 /28/78 JAN. .... _ __ MAV .ftJNIi MY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC. 6 " Actions of th@ Board

At an adjourned regular meeting Sep­ tember 20, the Board of Directors: • Referred to management for evalua­ Transit·limes tion all bids for bus driver uniform shirts Published monthly by the ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT and blouses, on motion of Director 508 t6th St. . Oakland. California 946t2 Rinehart. Telephone (415) 654-7878 BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Approved job descriptions and staff­ JOHN McDONNELL ...... President ing recommendations for the Personnel, Ward III ROY NAKADEGAWA ...... Vice President Finance and Administrative departments, Ward I PAUL B. GODKIN ...... Director at Large on motion of Director Holmes. RAY RINEHART...... • .... Director at Large WILLIAM E. BERK ...... Ward II * * * WILLIAM J. BETTENCOU~ T . •~ ...... Ward IV At a regular meeting October 11, the JEAN A. HOLMES ...... Z ...... Ward V MANAGEMENT Board of Directors: Robert E. Nisbet ...... General Manager Lawrence A. AO.seaberg .. .' . . . . AssistanJ-General Manager • Referred to management for evalua­ for Administration and District Secretary Robert J. Shamoon .. ... Assi lant General Manager tion all bids for a medium scale general for Operations purpose computer system, on motion of Richard H. Bertz .. Acting Maintenance Manager J. Dale Goodman .... . Transportation Manager Director Nakadegawa. Ozro D. Gould ...... Claims Manager John A. Krajcar .. Purchases and Stores Mgr. • Awarded contract for furnishing Lawrence S. Kurz ...... Treasurer -Controller' Donald S. Larson ...... Manager of Planning and Research uniform shirts and blouses for drivers to Billy S. Lyle...... Acting Personnel Manager Stanley O. Pearce ... Superintendent of Safety The Hub, on motion of Director Rinehart. and Training • Authorized General Manager to ad­ Warren E. Robinson .. Transportation Engineer vertise and seek bids for lightweight ~ 9 uniform trousers and slacks for drivers, on motion of Director Nakadegawa. • Authorized two trips weekdays on • Authorized two management repre­ Line 91 - Hayward-Castro Valley to serve sentatives to attend Transit Data Summ­ new senior citizens center in Hayward, on aries Group meeting November 14-16, on motion of Director Rinehart. motion of Director Bettencourt. • Authorized extension to Tahoe • Authorized elimination of weekend Avenue of Line 93A - San Lorenzo­ bicycle service on Line B-San Francisco Hayward, on motion of Director Rinehart. and elimination of service to the • Authorized minor re- routings of Line Willamette Shipyard on Line L - Rich­ 83 in downtown Oakland and of Lines W-I mond-San Francisco, on motion of Direc­ and 63 in Alameda, on motion of Director tor Rinehart. Rinehart.

AC Transit Latham Square Building Oakland, California 94612

' V I h A~AUl0A ~ A A-I '7' 51 Hit . ALAMEOA Return Requested B (RK[l[Y~ CA 947 0 7