Transit Times

?2iaeetJltip il1lpeetJtJive 'Country Coach' comes to Moraga/Orinda A new bus service that has blown experimental bus system, as did ads in both "hot and cold" with residents star­ neighborhood newspapers. ted this month in Moraga and Orinda Signs, capping regular bus stops with free rides. along Moraga Way and Moraga Road, The courtesy rides were offered on announced the same invitation. the new system during the first week, AC Transit information clerks also Sept. 13-17, so everybody could tryout were at BART stations to hand out in­ the new transit experience. And a lot formation on the service. Distribution I wish to add a commendation for Turns were made smoothly and of people did. of leaflets and timetables was made to Margaret Bellinger. Recently, I left my within the lanes proscribed and with Ridership figures for first day service St. Mary's College, which is sub­ tennis racket on the Line E Express no sudden jolting at stops. The bus was indicated a very favorable response by sidizing free transit for students and bus and despaired of ever recovering it pulled in close enough to curbings so residents. A total of 934 passengers staff members. - as such items have an unfortunate that one did not have to step down into trips were made with 744 passengers Start-up of the system was post­ manner of disappearing when unat­ the gutter in alighting or climb onto the trips on Line 350 and 190 made on Line poned after residents objected to buses tended. entry step from the roadway. 351. in their neighborhoods and to bus stops Margaret Bellinger was the driver of So congratulations to AC Transit for in front of homes. Agreement was the bus and apparently discovered the hiring this type of person! reached for service to be operated via racket on her check after the com­ Mrs. Esther Jones Moraga Way and Moraga Rd. only, pletion of the run to San Francisco. Berkeley with residents to vote on continuation In any event, thanks to her diligence * * * of the bus system in March. I was able to recover the racket and to A few days ago, a little after 11 p.m., Four new small buses have been or­ avoid missing a tennis date. was sitting on the bench at Grand dered for the operation and now are Edward Chandler Ave. and Broadway waiting for a 42, a being manufactured by Minibus in San Francisco 59 or 76 bus heading north. A 51 bus southern California. They will be 25 Commuters were able to ride * * * stopped and the driver, Chet Walden, feet long and seat 25 passengers. without paying to BART/Orinda or I was a passenger on one of your questioned me and advised that those transbay buses which was disabled on buses didn't run that late. BART/Lafayette and discovered the ob­ vious - if trips were planned in ac­ the Bay Bridge recently. I want to com­ I gratefully got into his bus to go cord with schedules, the buses got to · mend the action of the driver during home. I think Mr. Walden should be the stations in exactly the same time as this situation. highly commended for performing a automobiles - with no time wasted in When the air pressure in his brakes service above and beyond the prover­ parking. was lost, he managed to safely cross bial call of duty. I feel very grateful to five lanes of traffic and reach an off­ him. Heavy shopper use the-road place to stop. Mildred Keppelman He warned the passengers to hold on Oakland Women and young persons, par­ in case there was a jerk when he used * * * ticularly, were predominent in the first the emergency brake. As it turned out, I wish to say that Mr. William A. days of off-peak riding, taking ad­ the stop was uneventful. Scott is the most helpful and con­ vantage of an opportunity to ride to I have always known your drivers siderate driver I have encountered in either BART station or to shopping were efficient and courteous and it is my 50 years of bus riding. areas - including Moraga Center, The good to see they are also calm and I had a guest recently and we rode Park at Rheem the Crossroads and the reliable under emergency conditions. on the line Mr. Scott drives. My friend Village at Orinda. Gerrie Christman was so impressed with him she even Information on the service, including Oakland mentioned him in her letter to me. map and schedules, was mailed to * * * We are so apt to complain when residences in Moraga and to the Orinda area south of the freeway. FREE RIDES for first week service were I should like to comment upon the things don't please us, I feel we should announced via all bus stop poles, as well professional manner in which a lady give credit when credit is due. Green and yellow cards in the win­ as mass mailing. Installing the pole cap driver handled herself on a bus I rode Mrs. F. C. Merkel dows of stores and other establish­ signs were George Spinella, left, and ments welcomed "The Country Coach" Foreman Carl Knutson. recently. Oakland 2 3 Bus riding safer than eve r Board of Directors reduce taxes TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS PASSENGER ACCIDENTS PER Property taxes are being cut this year In Contra Costa County, where the PER 100,000 MILES 1,000,000 PASSENGERS CARRIED for most AC Transit taxpayers. assessment is 22.3 percent of market A new consolidated rate of 45.9 cents value, the tax rate will be 50.9 cents. 12 per $100 of assessed valuation was set The consolidated reduction essen­ ~ ~ If' last month by the District Board of tially reflects an increase in assessed 7 11 ~ Directors for Special Service District 1, valuation, with much of the increase " \ ... which includes 11 urban cities stret­ being retained to help pay for higher ~ 10 '~ J ~ ~ - ching from San Pablo to Hayward. opera ting costs. 6 ..",. ~ 1-0 I"- "" " 9 Tax rate cut 1.4 cents Directors at the same time set the I' ~ ~ ~ ~ ,~~ rate for Special Service District 2, in­ ~ 8 The rate is a reduction of 1.4 cents 5 r'I cluding Fremont and Newark, at 33 , ~ below last year's consolidated rate of .... '1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, 7 47.3 cents. the same as it was last fiscal year. "" Because of a difference in 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 assessment ratio, taxpayers in The transit system as a whole, in­ Alameda County will pay 44.8 cents cluding both districts and con tract ser­ Safest year yet THOUSANDS OF MILES per $100 of assessed valuation. vices, projects expenditures during OPERATED PER ACCIDENT Alameda County for this year was 1976-77 of $56,612,900 and income of AC Transit passengers rode safer , assessed at 25.8 percent of market $40,861,200. A deficit of $15,751,700 is than ever during the last fiscal year, I.....- value. The state legislature requires all expected to be covered by State and reports show. 14 counties to assess at 25 percent of Federal su bsidies and by an estimated Figures reflecting an all-time safe 13 ~If '\ IJ market value. $3,700,400 in contingency reserves. driving record were registered for 1975- 76. 12 ~1If ,,- I( Operators recorded 14,639 safe r"III ~ ---. ". ~ driving miles per accident for the fiscal 11 year, compared to 14,132 during the If 10 previous fiscal year. Passenger accident frequency per 9 I one million passengers and traffic ac­ '- cident frequency per 100,000 miles 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 reached a record low. Traffic accidents decrease per chargeable accident a total of 38 A review of statistics showed that times during the year. traffic accident frequency decreased by Emeryville Division held the record 11.8 percent over the last five years, by by topping the goal 11 times, while 19.2 percent compared to 10 years ago, Newark Division came in second with and by a whopping 29.6 percent when 10 times. Seminary Division bettered compared with the 1960-61 fiscal year, the "safety bogey" nine times with lOY GRANER. of Transit In­ the first year AC Transit went into Richmond Division beating the goal formation. traveled to St. operation. Mary's College in Moraga for eight times during the year. registration week as arriving Traffic accident frequency per In 11 of the 12 months, the District students learned a new bus 100,000 miles was 5.15 for 1975-76 as total of miles per accident exceeded system to the compus was opposed to 5.32 in 1974-75. the 13,250 bogey. about to be inaugurated. The Passenger accident frequency per The District's elite membership of college is subsidizing free rides for students and staff on one million passengers was 6.80 com­ operators who have driven for 25 years AC Transit buses w)iich pared to 7.53 in 1974-75. without a chargeable accident grew to began rolling in Moraga and In addition, divisions beat the mon­ 16 with a combined total of 400 years of Orinda on Sept. 13. thly safe driving goal of 13,250 miles safe driving. 4 5 - \ , t~ \ Jt \ ) .~ "'_ ~"'~to",,-

Momentum for new bus fleet speeds up I

Buses in three different sizes MINIBUS is pictured as ar­ control and improved maintenance provided news for AC Transit this tist conception. upper left. features. month. while Maintenance Fore­ But they won't be cheap. man Wayne West oversees Bids for 66 buses specified by AC These were the developments: engine completion. Instru­ • The first heavy duty small bus, ment panel and engine Transit were quoted at $91,500 per built to AC Transit specifications, "top­ cover mock-up is demon­ coach, plus delivery charges and taxes. ped out" at the Minibus plant in strated by workmen. Inside General Motors Corp. was the only Southern California. the Minibus Inc. plant 23 bidder. completed chassis frames • Contract was awarded for a fleet of are ready to be married to GMC previously agreed if it was the articulated buses. the body as soon as proto­ only bidder it would consent to a • Bids were opened for newly type testing warrants. At government audit of costs that make up designed coaches that will meet the bottom. first body frame of the price of the bus to affirm it is a the Minibus slated for sub- latest California clean air standards. ur . reasonable figure. A~ Transit does not At the Minibus plant, the body of a plan to make an award of contract until prototype bus was fitted to the frame delivery and spare parts-one of the ditional larger units. Alan L. Bingham, after the audit is completed. and workers were proceeding with biggest financial bus packages in the general manager of AC Transit, is In the meantime, award of contract finishing the interior and with testing history of the transit industry. chairman of the articulated bus con­ for a total of 418 of the new buses, in­ components. Construction of frames AM General will work jointly with sortium which put together the joint cluding the 66 for the District, also is and suspension systems was underway M.A.N. of West Germany in producing transit purchasing package. being held up because of a law suit on other units. the new units, which are hinged in the Six properties, including AC Transit, filed by AM General in Federal District Twenty-three of the newly designed middle. are acquiring 155 buses 60 feet long, Court, alleging the specifications favor small coaches will be used in neigh­ Award of the contract climaxes years while four properties are purchasing 79 GMC. borhood service in Fremont and of activity on the part of properties buses of 55 foot length. The longer The design includes snap-on side Newark; four were purchased for looking for buses with higher seating buses, which seat 69 passengers, will panels and other features expected to operation in Moraga/Orinda and two capacity to handle considerable be manufacturered first and delivery is save nearly $14,000 per bus in costs for Pleasant Hill. passenger growth without putting more expected to start in March, 1978, and over the 15-year life expectancy of each Ten transit properties across the coaches on the street. extend through February, 1979. coach. nation joined in awarding a contract to AC Transit, which is purchasing 30 Bids were opened in Houston, Tex., AC Transit is on the end of delivery AM General Corp. for 234 articulated of the 60-foot long buses, began early in the month for advance design time because GMC needed time to buses. The price exceeds $42,000,000 experimentation with a double unit in buses which will offer better viewing, meet California 1977 clean air stan­ without sales tax, but including 1966 and led the program to acquire ad- more comfortable riding, temperature dards. 6 7 'Mini-streetcar' preceded Minibus • SCENIC lOUR.- Minibuses slated for suburban use popularity, especially among younger recall a time when public transit met riders. neighborhood needs with a similar However, when the bus appeared on vehicle - the "mini-streetcar." the scene most of the less patronized A few years prior to World War I, streetcar lines were converted to bus street railway companies became con­ operation. In the East Bay, the Birney vinced that the East Bay's growing Car was slowly phased back into the suburbs required a streetcar which car barn and by 1937 all cars of this could easily negotiate narrow streets. It type had been scrapped. .. was in 1916 when an answer arrived. (Photograph and research material were A newer, smaller streetcar was provided by Fresno transit historian James developed; a four-wheel, 28-foot long H. Harrison.) coach which could be operated safely by one person. Most streetcars of that day had two employees on them, a motorman and a conductor. LAST TRIP - The final date of the Sunshine Summer Fun Tours was Sept. 3 with a trip Ordinances changed to Great America, concluding the 10th year the District has offered the special sight seeing expeditions. This year more than 5,000 passengers enjoyed the journeys to In addition, most cities required both festivals, wineries, historical sites and other points of interest. employees to be aboard the vehicle when in use. Local ordinances were Merrithew becomes 17th driver changed, however, as streetcar firms impressed upon city officials the ad­ To join 25 year Safe Driving Club vantages of a smaller streetcar. Francis B. "Bert" Merrithew, veteran In 32 years of employment, It came to be known as the Birney Richmond Division operator, has Merrithew has missed work only seven Car, named after its developer, Mr. become the 17th District driver to reach times, Stanley O. Pearce, safety and Charles Birney. 25 years of driving a bus without a training manager, said of his career. The car was lightweight and chargeable accident. Merrithew resides in El Sobrante economical as it didn't need much J. Dale Goodman, transportation with his wife, Dorothy. The electricity to power its two 25- manager, praised Merrithew for his Merrithews have one son , two horsepower motors. outstanding service and "extreme cour­ daughters and five grandchildren. The East Bay enjoyed the services of tesy" to riders during ceremonies held 25 Birney Cars, which were manufac­ in Merrithew's honor Sept. 8. tured at the American Car Company of Three generations of Merrithews St. Louis. They saw service on some of were present to see the driver receive the lighter traveled lines of the East his 25 year Safe Driving arm patch and Bay Street Railways, a part of the old lapel pin. Following the presentation, Key System, AC Transit's predecessor. cake and ice cream were enjoyed in the gillie room as Merrithew recalled his Usage widespread years in public transit. He was born in McCloud, Calif. in The Birney Cars were used on some August, 1918 and worked in the Rich­ Alameda lines, a short lived express mond Shipyards during World War II. streetcar operation on Telegraph Ave., Merrithew joined AC Transit's the Rockridge line on Broadway BIRNEY CAR number two proceeds along predecessor, Key System Transit Lines, Terrace between College Ave. and Line 27-Park Ave. at intersection of Park in May, 1944 and transferred to Rich­ and San Pablo Aves. in Albany. Car num­ SAFE DRIVING arm patch, boldly Broadway and on the Park Ave. line in ber two was one of 25 Birney Cars mond Division when the division Albany, among others. displaying 25 years, is seen after being developed for neighborhood use and opened in September, 1947, where he received by its proud, new owner - Bert These mini-streetcars met great stationed in the East Bay. has remained. Merrithew. 8 9 Cooper beats out local competition July To represent District in Bus Roadeo Passenger Trips July 1976 July 1975 % Change Eaat Bay ..••••••...••• 3,219,575 3,251,487 -1.0 Financial Edward Everett Cooper Jr., an 11 eluded a 20-question safety quiz, pre­ Tranlbay •••••.•.....•. 989,470 934,062 5.9 Fremont/Newark ...... 78,000 65,487 19.1 Report year veteran of Richmond Division, trip inspection of a bus with equip­ Contract Services: Total operating ex­ emerged this month as winner of local ment problems, personal appearance BART •.•.••••••.••... 80,397 65,319 23.1 pense for July, 1976 Bus Roadeo competitions and will and the driving test. Concord" •••.•.•••••. 37,130 Pleasant Hili"" ...... 8,374 was $4,091,432 while represent AC Transit in October at the Operators drove a coach through a Total ...•...••••••• 4,412,946 4,316,355 2.2 operating income was First National Bus Roadeo in San Fran­ test course designed with specific traf­ Fare Revenue $1,508,954. Total in­ cisco. fic problems. Grading was done on the East Bay •...••..•..••• $ 679,826 $ 652,085 4.3 come, including sub­ Tranlbay ..••...... 540,457 519,337 4.1 Cooper will vie with drivers from basis of the drivers' safety habits and sidies from property ability to smoothly resolve or avoid Fremont/Newark ..•.... 14,819 12,718 16.5 transit agencies across the country to Contract Service. taxes, sales taxes and determine who holds the title of "best hazardous conditions. BART ...... •...... 26,182 22,883 14.4 Federal aid, amounted driver" nationwide. Concord" ...... 5,685 May win $1,000 Plea.ant Hili"" ...... 1,181 to $4,223,056 and left a Cooper beat out 59 AC Transit Total ...... • .. $1,268,150 $1,207,023 5.1 deficit of $96,553 in drivers in local competitions to win Cooper now awaits the chance to Service Miles meeting full bond debt first place and compete nationally. A win a $1 ,000 first place savings bond in East Bay ...... • 1,404,275 1,410,820 -.5 requirements and oper· Tranlbay ..•••.••...... 728,701 trophy signifying Cooper's national competitions in San Fran­ 748,382 -2.6 ating costs. achievement locally was to be presen­ cisco's Cow Palace Oct. 18 and 19. Fremont/Newark ..•.•.. 68,n1 79,283 -13.3 Contract Services: Contract services are ted late this month. Second place winner will receive a BART •..•••••.•.•.... 132,695 165,734 -19.9 being paid for by the Second and third place trophies also $500 savings bond. Concord" •••••...•... 38,971 Plea.ant Hili"" communities involved. were to go to drivers B. R. McCaslin of Cooper, 36, joined AC Transit on ...... 9,912 Total .•••...... 2,383,325 2,404,219 -.9 Nationally, the tran­ Newark Division and R. R. Freund of Oct. 6, 1965 and resides in Richmond, sit industry showed a Seminary Division respectively. which is the focal point of the Coopers' "Contract service In Concord Inaugurated Sept. 8, 1975 ""Contract sarvlce In Pleasant Hili Inaugurated Dec. 8, 1975 decrease of 0.03 percent District trials were held Aug. 7, 14 , 21 lives. Not only does he live and work in total passengers and Aug. 28 , when Cooper tallied in Richmond, but his wife, Faye, also is carried. highest total score in several areas of an AC Transit bus driver who is competition. stationed at Richmond Division. 3 year passenger trip comparison Drivers faced four categories of com­ The Coopers have five daughters and 5.600.000 petition in local selection. They in- two sons. 5.500.000 I

5.400.000 1976 Hilltop service attracting many riders \ - 1975 5.300,000 - 1974 Initial ridership reports for new bus Close to 10,000 such brochures were 5.200.000 1 service to Richmond's Hilltop Mall in­ distributed to various youth and senior 5.100.000 \ ~l dicate a favorable reception from citizens centers prior to the opening, as 5.000.000 , I 1\ riding shoppers. well as to local Chamber of Commerce 4.900.000 I--. ~ I\. II \ ~ !-III Coaches carried from 15 to 20 offices. r , passengers per trip on the first day, 4.600.000 1"- ~ ~ considered a good figure for inaugural "III~ 4.700.000 f ~ service. " " ~, Buses on three existing lines began 4.600.000 \ \ extending into Hilltop on the center's 4.500.000 ~ I \ \ opening day, Sept. 2. ,~, 4.400.000 Transit Information operator Fran­ 1'- ~ cine Wilber was on hand at the cen­ 4.300.000 " ~ ~ ter's opening day to help Hilltop's in­ 4.200.000 formation booth personnel in ~ 4.100.000 distributing AC Transit pocket NEW HILL TOP service is explained to in­ 4.000.000 " schedules and a brochure detailing ser­ formation booth personnel by Transit In­ vice to Hilltop. formation Clerk Francine Wilber. 3.900.000 on strik 10 3.600.000 Ju t , Augus 1974

JAN. FEB MAR. A PR. MAY' JUNE JULY AUG, SEPT OCT NOV DEC. Actions of the Board At an adjourned regular meeting August 19, the Board of Directors: • Awarded contract to AM General Transit·limes

Corp. for 30 articulated buses and Published monthly by the spare units, parts and tires, subject to ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT 508 16th St.. Oakland, California 94612 UMTA approval and adopted Telephone (415) 654-7878 resolution authorizing filing amend­ BOARD OF DIRECTORS KIMI FUJII . President ment to UMTA grant for aid in finan­ Ward V cing purchase, on motion of Director JOHN McDONNELL . . Vice President Ward III Nakadegawa. (See story, Pg. 6) CHESTER C. McGUIRE. JR. . Director at Large RAY RINEHART ...... Director at Large * * * ROY NAKADEGAWA . ~. . " ' ...... Ward I WILLIAM E. BERK. . . .. '.' " . ~ . ' . . . . Ward II At an adjourned regular meeting WILLIAM J. BETTENCp · . . . . '.'.. . . . Ward IV August 25 , the Board of Directors: MI A'S M . ALAN l. B ..G ."'A "'';".e era I Manager • Authorized participation in Bay VIRGINIA B . . ENNtS N .. P,oU l1c Information Mgr. J. DALE GOODMcA ~ 1I1JOn Manager Area Urban Transit Institute, on OZRO D. GOULD alms Manager JOHN A. KRAJCAR .. Purchases and Stores Mgr. motion of Director Bettencourt. ANTHONY R. LUCCHESI. . MainTenance Manage. ROBERT E. NISBET. . . . Attorney • Adopted Final Operating Estimate STANLEY O. PEARCE . Superintendent of Safety for fiscal 1976-77, on motion of Direc­ and Training LAWRENCE A. ROSENBERG . . .. District Secretary tor Rinehart. and Administrative Projects Manager WARREN E. ROBINSON. . . . Transportation Engineer • Authorized one management ROBERT J. SHAMOON. . Personnel Manager representative to travel to Washington, D.C., for purpose of expediting UMTA ~------~ 9------~ processing procedures and • Adopted resolution fixing property procurement of Federal Operating taxes in District No. 1 and District No. Assistance funds, on motion of Direc­ 2 for fiscal 1976-77, on motion of Direc­ tor Rinehart. (See story, Pg. 5) tor Rinehart.

All divisions beat safe driving goal All divisions beat the safe Newark Division tallied 93,315 driving goal for the month of July, miles while Richmond Division in terms of miles driven per drivers scored 16,528 miles. accident. During July, Emeryville Division With a goal of 13,250 miles per achieved 14,685 miles and chargeable accident, the District­ Seminary Division marked up wide average for July was 15,963. 14,640 miles driven per accident.

AC Transit Latham Square Building Oakland, California 94612 MARVIN w. H A ~ COCK A 28ao CHATtLET ON ~A N E, APT. I Return Requested SA N: P A at p, C A ~ 4006