ALAMEDA-CONTRA Director states District's funding stand What the Press is saying about transit AC Transit's serious financial prob­ Although the transit funding picture has lems continue even though Alameda, changed drastically in recent years, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties three-quarters of these revenues still are THE TRIBUNE generate sufficient mass transit funding dedicated entirely to BART, leaving only to support all current bus and rail service, one-quarter available for allocation according to District Director Michael H. toward needs of major transit operators Fajans during a presentation November in the three BART counties. Shifting gears at A C Transit 21 before a group of state legislators. Director Fajans reminded the commit­ The problem, Fajans told members of tee of 1979 legislation (closely following As AC Transit proudly celebrates its last quarter-century. Across-the-board the State Senate Transportation Commit­ passage of Proposition 13, which severely 25th anniversary this year, the doughty increases would raise more revenue than tee, results from the diversion into slashed the District's financial base) call­ Eastbay bus system also less proudly fare hikes only for more affluent transbay capital programs of significant portions of ing for development of long-term finan­ shows its age. When it took over and commuters. "All riders contribute to the the revenues currently authorized for cial management plans to support AC expanded the historic Key System in deficit, not just the 20 percent who are financing transit operations. The Transit, BART and San Francisco 1960, the district had the power to raise transbay riders," AC board member Metropolitan Transportation Commis­ MUNI. As 1985 draws to a close, AC operating money through property tax Jerry Wiggins points out. sion (MTC) and its transit funding pro­ Transit still has not had the benefit of any increases. But Proposition 13 ended that Even at 10 cents more, Eastbay bus cess have yet to allocate all available dis­ such long-term financial program, he in 1978 and left the system minus 25 per­ fares would still be cheaper than those in cretionary monies in the three counties stated. Instead, the MTC joins the three cent of its previous operating revenue. other major cities with low- and moder­ to operational purposes, he noted. transit agencies in a process of protracted Ever since, AC Transit has scrambled ate-income populations. Fares are 85 A current source which should yield annual discussions producing com­ to make up the gap from federal and state cents in Los Angeles, 90 cents in New more operating revenues, said Fajans, is promises labelled by Fajans "short-term sources, supplementing bus fares that York and $1 in Philadelphia. San Fran­ the half-cent sales tax established bandaid answers to our requirements." account for only 35 percent of its $149 cisco bus fares remain at 60 cents initially to fund BART's capital needs. (Continued on page 5) million annual budget. And though fares because the Municipal Railway is heavily went from 25 cents in 1978 to 35 cents, subsidized by San Francisco city and 50 cents and now 60 cents, the cost of county general funds, a lUXury AC Tran­ Board approves transbay fare hikes serving AC's 210,000 daily riders still sit does not enjoy. AC Transit Directors voted to increase ADULTS: Zone 1, $1.50; must be subsidized by a dollar per pas­ bus fares between the East Bay and San Zone 2, $1.85; Zone 3, $2.25. senger per trip. • • • Francisco on January 1, 1986, and set the YOUTH, SENIORS, The AC Transit board of directors Even with an increase, the fare box date for a public hearing to consider HANDICAPPED: Zone 1, 70 cents; must find new funding formulas and won't cover all of AC's costs. For operat­ adjustments in local fares. The Board's Zone 2, 85 cents; Zone 3, $1.05. operating savings to make up a projected ing subsidies, the board should look action on trans bay fares - expected to MONTHLY PASSES: Zone 1, $54; $5 million annual operating deficit over beyond its traditional sources of revenue bring in additional annual revenue of Zone 2, $67; Zone 3, $81. the next five years. Its ultimate choices and explore entrepreneurial oppor­ approximately $750,000 - took place at Currently, distance-based trans bay are already clear. tunities. It should work to: a November 26 meeting. fares range from $1.25 to $1.75 for It must. muster the political will not • Establish rush hour bus-only lanes The hearing to receive passenger and adults; and from 60 cents to 80 cents for only to raise fares again as a short-term on the Bay Bridge and its approaches to public input on local fares was set for youths, seniors, and the handicapped. source of increased revenue, but also to lure more passengers and increase fare­ January 22, 7:30 p.m., at Metropolitan Riders who now use passes for their cut back on least-patronized routes. Rais­ box revenues. Transportation Commission headquar­ trans bay commuting have been paying at ing fares and cutting inefficient routes • Increase Bay Bridge auto tolls to $1, ters, 101-8th St., Oakland. Until the this rate: Zone 1, $45; Zone 2, $54; Zone are guaranteed to elicit patron outrage. with most of the extra 25 cents going to Board hears and reviews comments from 3, $63. And when two-thirds of riders come subsidize AC Transit's maintenance that hearing, local fares will remain at Patrons on AC Transit's new Line DB, from families making less than $20,000 a costs. current levels. Action on transbay fares which provides service across the Dum­ year, board reluctance to move in those • Sell maintenance services to other came after review of information from a barton Bridge, also will note a fare hike as directions is understandable. bus companies from its modern and September 10 public hearing and of staff of January 1 - to $1.50 from the current • • • underutilized Oakland repair center. reports emphasizing the District's need $1.25. An increase in the basic fare from 60 • Identify other profitable markets for to generate more revenue. Though trans bay increases were cents to 70 cents and in trans bay fares bus service beyond its Alameda-Contra AC Transit bus patrons crossing the included in the District's long-range from $1.25 to $1.50 would bring fares in Costa county district. Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge will financial plan as presented to the MTC line with cost-of-living increases over the • • • pay, as of January 1, the following fares: (Continued on page 12) 2 3 Richmond Division operator, Safe drivers honored Paging potential part-timers Three retirees meet deaths A driver and three retirees have died in recent weeks. EMPLO YMENT INFO- Veronica Brown Nathaniel Greene, 49, who retired ear­ (standing), Personnel, lier this year after 22 years of service, assists a husband-wife died November 17 in San Pablo. A driver team of potential part­ at East Oakland Division before he retired, time drivers - Manuel Greene was a resident of EI Cerrito. and Bernice Velasquez - in completing applicant He is survived by his widow, Sandra, information cards during and children: Yarmonica, Thomas, and AC Transit's November Timothy. recruitment program. Marcia Barrow, 27, a Richmond Divi­ Aimed at developing a list of eligible candidates for sion driver with three years of service, future part-time driver died November 9. She was a resident of needs, the personnel out­ Richmond, and is survived by her child­ reach effort took place on ren-Betty, Ericka, Tommy, and Dineka­ District buses parked at and her mother, Betty Lee Buggs. BAR T stations in Fre­ mont ([ocale of this Ralph F. Inklebarger, 69, a retired East photo), San Leandro, Oakland driver who had completed 39 and El Cerrito. years of transit service when he left AC Transit in 1981, died November 7 in Hay­ ward. He was a resident of San Leandro. Inklebarger was among the ranks of drivers qualifying for the District's 25- State legislators asked to back transit funding consensus year Safe Driving Award. He achieved this milestone in 1977. (Continued from page 3) vided careful plans are laid and imple­ He is survived by his widow, Minnie Bell. "Such subsidies are barely sufficient to mented, from the beginning, toward Frank A. Rose, 73, who retired as a meet our bottom-line funding needs, let funding their continuing operation from Seminary Division driver in 1975, died alone allowing us to engage in long-term new sources of revenues - and not at October 25 in Oregon, where he made financial planning," he declared, noting the expense of existing transit service," his home. At the time of retirement, he that AC Transit's situation is further Fajans declared. had completed 31 years of employment complicated because the allocations - "Sufficient discretionary monies are with AC Transit and its predecessor. which make up more than 40 percent of available, potentially, to maintain and He is survived by his widow, the District's budget - usually are estab­ add to current levels of service - and Genevieve. WINNERS! -Edith B. Stiles (top lished only weeks before the beginning of without adverse impact on major capital photo), displays the patch marking her each fiscal year. In sharp contrast, the expansions," he added. "However, we three decades of safe driving. The 30- year record has been achieved by only Director noted, funding of 100 percent of have not been able to persuade our coun­ one other woman driver and eight men BART's operational needs (plus some terparts to allocate adequate levels of dis­ in the history of AC Transit and its pre­ capital requirements) is virtually assured cretionary dollars to maintain and Special traditional season's greetings decessor companies. She launched her each year, and MUNI is in a relatively improve the region's long-existing tran­ were extended again this year on behalf public transit career in the East Bay comfortable position of being able to sit service." of the District as Maintenance Depart­ when she qualified for bus driver on count on the City and County of San During his testimony before the ment employees put their creative Nov. 17, 1953. Glendel E. George (bot­ Francisco for financial support. Senate Transportation Committee, talents to work on the 1985 Holiday tom photo), having reached the 25-year Fajans urged the legislators to promote Fajans (who represents AC Transit's Bus. Assisting in the effort were Don safe driving mark, receives his award development of a regional consensus on Berkeley and north Oakland areas) was from Emeryville Division General Jamison (right in photo lower right) and the distribution of currently available flanked by Board Vice President Linda Superintendent Loren A. Ball. George finances to support mass transit opera­ Shepard Kevin Frye, attaching decorative and started as a driver Nov. 1, 1957. (who represents Fremont and colorful trees to the outside of the bus, Ceremonies for both drivers were tions: Newark) and Jerome Wiggins (who repre­ while Larry Nelson fastened holly December 3 at Emeryville Division. "We support and endorse the concept sents western Contra Costa County and strands on the interior of the coach. of new starts and service extensions pro- parts of Berkeley) . 4 5 Festive events Guests, employees help launch new learning center

The District's new Training and Education Center drew positive reviews from scores of officials and educators during ribbon-cut­ ting ceremonies Oct. 25th. "This facility stands as a monu­ ment to AC Transit's dedication and determination to provide good transit service," said Assembly­ man Elihu Harris of Oakland. "The District is very important to the economic and social vitality of our area. Many people are dependent on mass transit, and their needs demand highly-trained transit Training and Education Center ribbon-cutting participants included (Jeft to right) Director Michael Fajans; Assemblyman Elihu Harris; Board President William Bettencourt; Assembly­ workers." man Johan Klehs; and Acting General Manager Nat Gage. Harris (above right) gave opening Hayward Mayor Alex Giuliani remarks. predicted that the Center's output "will help answer our transporta­ tion problem". And Assemblyman Johan Klehs of San Leandro stated: "This Center demonstrates that AC Transit is keeping a com­ petitive edge in training employees. " Then on Oct. 26th, a "Family Day" picnic gave employees, retirees, and other guests an opportunity to tour the Center and view its state-of-the-art educa­ tional environment. - PROJECT CULMINATION - The Center's opening had particular significance for Training and Education Manager Michal Settles (above, ACTIVITY SLATE - Training and Educa­ with Director Michael Fajans and Purchases tion's open house guests took part in a range of and Stores Manager Glenn Andrade). Years of activities, from admiring elements of exterior District planning included selection of such state­ design (above) to test-driving a real, full-sized of-the-art training tools as (top) computer con­ bus over an onsite training course, as Marsha soles for one-on-one drill of new drivers in such Andrade (right) decided to do. A II ages (above subjects as bus route fteosraphy. Acting General right) joined in marking the Center's opening, Manager Nat Gage (left) looked over the facility with balloons and refreshments adding to the with Henry Nejako, UMTA Deputy Regional festivities. Administrator. 6 7 FOCUS: Transit People and Projects FOCUS: Transit People and Projects

Checking for clean coaches

TRANSIT TALK - Festivities connected with the October opening of the Training and Educa­ tion Center brought together this group of women transit professionals - some still on the job, NEAT F~EET CONTEST --:- Gene Gardiner, operations center manager, is one member of a some retired after many years of service. They are (left to right) Driver Wilma Morgan; Superin­ team of I~spectors now making. unannounced visits to divisions to check on the cleanliness of tendent "Mo" Gross; Retirees Marjorie Ezell and Reba Gauer; and Supervisor Eleanor Ehmke buses. This program will result In t~e selectIOn, each month, of the division which produces the from 'County Connection '. clea~est busfleet dunng a competitIOn for service employees which runs until June 30, 1986. Eligible serVice employees within the winning divisions will be competing for a series of awards which Include depar~mentstore gift certi/!cates anl, United States savings bonds. Plaques will be posted, also, at divIsions Singled outfor neatfleet honors. The program is based on the philoso­ INFO SPACES - AC phy tha.t clean buses are an Integral part of service, impacting on the morale of both passengers Transit Maintenance and dnvers. Department workers Cliff Snyder (left) and LEARNING EXPERI­ John Wardy (checked ENCE - Students from shirt) recently installed the California School bulletin boards for post­ for the Blind in Fre­ ing information relating mont , including to a newly introduced Richard Bland (right) motiva tiona I program and Scott Brown (left) for employees. Seven were part of an educa­ such display spaces tional training program have been placed directed by their instruc­ throughout the District tor Leanne Lauren to carry weekly (center) in November. messages on policy, AC Transit provided the passenger-driver rela­ coach, Driver Dave tions, self-help sugges­ Triplett and Supervisor tions, and other infor­ Ron Johnsen to assist mation designed to be students in learning to helpful in employees' ride. Such an activity is day-to-day work . part of the District's out­ Launched in mid­ reach policy for resi­ November, the pilot pro­ dents of the East Bay gram is a first for the service area. District. 8 9 Face/ift funded for aged Key System streetcar The Bay Area Electric Railroad Associ­ ation, Inc., has received an $8,000 federal grant to restore and preserve a 1911 streetcar once operated by Key System, AC Transit's predecessor. Car No. 352 (as it looks today, bottom photo, compared to its appearance on the streets of Oakland in 1947, top photo) will undergo renovation at the Western Rail­ way Museum in Rio Vista Junction, which is operated by volunteers belong­ Training Center hosts open house, tours ing to the railroad association. The vintage car is one of 60 built in St. (Continued [rom Pg. 7) Louis, Mo., for the Oakland Traction Company, which later became Key Opening events System, providing streetcar service along routes in Berkeley, Alameda and Oak­ at AC Transit's land until the company's conversion to buses in 1948. newest facility Following restoration, the vintage car will attracted scores join the museum's more than 100 acquisi­ tions dating from transit's bygone era. to state-of-art learning site AC hosts "Phantom Commuter"

After touring sites such as the maintenance training shop (above), guests had the oppor­ Retirement round-up tunity to enjoy refresh­ ments and socialize. Acting General Man­ • Mario Benassi, Machinist, Central ager Nat Gage (Ieft, Maintenance, 31 years. standing) greeted A TU • Irene Bieneman, Assistant Payroll Local 192 representa­ Supervisor, General Office, 30 years. tive John Wesley and • Virgil E. Bright, Dispatcher, Rich­ other attendees. mond Division, 25 years. • Phyllis C. Fehr, Driver, East Oak­ land Division, 34 years. • Harold E. Hagler, Driver, Rich­ mond Division, 11 years. • Charles W. Skaggs, Driver, PRESS VISIT - "The Phantom Com­ Emeryville Division, 13 years. muter" (back to camera) and Photo­ • David R. Stewart, Driver, Newark grapher Gordon Stone (right) of the San Francisco Examiner checked out A C Division, 17 years. Transit's program for new drivers at the • Dorothy Williams, Ticket Seller, Training and Education Center, Among crowds of friends, families, and District Legislators, transit officials, and East Bay civic Transbay Terminal, 28 years. Hayward, in mid-November. "The Phan­ employees visiting the Training and Education representatives were present for the new • Richard K. Windrich, Dispatcher, tom", who requested anonymity, toured Center October 26 were (front row, left to right) Hayward facility's official ribbon-cutting Octo­ Newark Division, 25 years. facilities and sat-in on training sessions, John Palmer, Michael Ayers, Brenda Neal, ber 25, with State Assemblyman Elihu Harris accompanied by Billy Bishop, transporta­ Tom Pernell; and (back row) Felicia Jackson, noting its potential for meeting the continuing • John Zorman, Jr., Driver, East tion training coordinator (top left). need for "highly trained transit workers". Oakland Division, 39 years. William Hutcherson, and Claudia Harris. 11 10 ActioDS of th@ Board At an adjourned regular meeting Octo­ ber 30, the Board of Directors: Transit-Times • Approved service adjustments on Lines Land 88, on motion of Director Published monthly by the ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT Nakadegawa. 508 16th St., Oakland, California 94612 • Authorized travel of Board mem­ Telephone (415) 891-4777 bers to Urban Mass Transportation Ad­ BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILLIAM J. BETTENCOURT...... President ministration symposium on "Private Ward IV Transit and the Public Sector" Novem­ LINDA SHEPARD. . . .. 'W~;d ij . ... Vice President ROY NAKADEGAWA...... Director at Large ber 18-19 in Orlando, Florida, on motion MICHAEL H. FAJANS ...... Ward I of Director Nakadegawa. JEROME G. WIGGINS .. Ward II JOHN McDONNELL. . .. Ward III * * * RAY RINEHART. . . Director at Large At a regular meeting November 13, OFFICERS OF THE DISTRICT Nathaniel A. Gage ...... Acting General Manager the Board of Directors: Lawrence A. Rosenberg .. . .. , ...... District Secretary • Authorized travel of Acting Richard W. Meier ...... -:.::; : , .~ ttorney for the District .' MAN.tGEMENT General Manager to American Public Robert J. Shamoon . ;'. . . .. ' Assistant General Manager for Operations Transit Association Workshop on Transit Glenn R. Andf!lde . Purchases and Stores Manager Insurance December 12-13 in Loren A. Ball . . . ~ .. Genel''!! Superintendent, Emeryville Richard A. Fratus...... Controller Washington, D.C.; and of the Training Gene Gardiner. Operations Center Manager Ozro D. Gould...... Risk Manager and Education Manager to the American George Grandison...... General Superintendent, East Oakland Society for Training and Development Pamela Granger. Administrative Projects Manager Frank Johnson. General Superintendent, Newark Conference May 18-23 in St. Louis, Joe M. Kinchen. . . .. Computer Operations Manager Donald S. Larson. Research and Planning Manager Missouri, on motion of Director Mike Mills...... Marketing Manager Nakadegawa. Diane Nygaard. . Operations Programming and Analysis Manager • Adopted resolution supporting 1-80 Michal Settles ...... Training and Education Manager George C. Skezas. Superintendent, Central Maintenance Corridor Study, on motion of Director Tom Swanson. General Superintendent, Richmond Nakadegawa.

at 60 cents for adults; 40 cents for Board establishes youths; and 15 cents for seniors and the New fare structure handicapped. Passes providing adults a month's unlimited rides on local routes For transbay riders now sell for $24. "By raising trans bay fares," Betten­ (Continued from page 3) court stated, "we feel we are impacting last year, some Directors expressed a those who have employment and who are deeper concern in regard to potential generally more able to absorb the local increases, which, said Board Presi­ increases. No Director is anxious to dent William J. Bettencourt, will affect raise fares, but we must produce addi­ "those least able to afford them." tional revenues to continue operations at At the present time, local fares are set present levels."

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