Government grant to provide lor new Mini-car transit fleet proposed Buses and improved luel injectors AC Transit will have 30 new buses­ the use of high grade diesel fuel, a rigid A fleet of 30,000 electric-powered mini­ as well as one of the cleanest burning preventive maintenance program, proper cars has been proposed by consulting bus fleets in the nation - as the result of engine speeds at times of transmission engineers to help solve the complicated a new government grant. shift, plus frequent checks of timing, public transit problem in central Contra The grant from the U.S. Department will significantly reduce smoke, odor Costa County. of Transportation allocates $708,635 to and emissions. The publicly-owned system of tiny the transit property, according to Con­ The newly designed injector reduces cars would be the first of its kind. gressman George P. Miller (D) of Ala­ the residual volume of fuel left to leak Two multi-million dollar studies deal­ meda. The grant covers half of project into the combustion chamber late in the ing with the concept have been financed costs totaling $1,417,270. combustion cycle. previously by the U.S. Housing and It can be expanded to include another In announcing approval of the appli­ Urban Development department. $236,211 when regional planning require­ cation to the Board of Directors, Alan Experimentation and tests of such a ments for this area are met, under gov­ L. Bingham, general manager, said the system could be started now, according ernment regulations. project might be modified to acquisition to James Schmidt, project manager for The grant not only covers purchase of of 15 smaller buses and 20 larger buses, DeLeuw, Cather & Company, consulting engineers. additional equipment, but will help pay rather than 30 buses of the current 51- PINT-SIZED CAR-Prototype of mfnt-Car, costs of converting the basic fleet of 462 passenger size. The mini-car fleet was among propo­ which might be used for public transit, is coaches to an improved fuel injector. The property now has a fleet of 723 sals described by Schmidt before the tried bl} secretarl} Kathleen Senech. Same The project will make AC Transit one of buses in operation, 492 of them "new Contra Costa County Board of Super­ prototype is on cover. the first systems in the transit industry look" and 223 older models. In addition, visors. The report concluded a joint to take such extensive measures to mini­ eight older model buses are being held transportation study on methods of pro­ The little cars could be plugged in for mize smoke, odor and exhaust emissions. in storage for BART connector service viding rapid transit feeder service and recharging at night and would compete The new fuel injector, coupled with needs. public transportation in central Contra with the private car for short local trips, Costa County. which make up at least two-thirds of all The $150,000 federally financed study trips in the central area, Schmidt said. Summer sightseeing tour planned was done for the Contra Costa County Ninety-seven percent of households in An interesting mix of attractions - for residents who may find new dis­ Transportation Board, comprised of rep­ the area own private cars and approxi­ ranging from Piedmont mansions to the coveries on the other side of the bus resentatives from the county, AC Transit mately two-thirds own two or more "free-thinking" scene at Berkeley's Tele­ window. and BART. The area is outside AC automobiles. graph Ave. area, has been put together The tours, operated in cooperation Transit's service district. Neighborhood stations in the sightseeing tour which AC Transit with the Convention and Tourism Bu­ Three-part plan Schmidt envisioned a system in which will operate again this summer. reau of the Oakland Chamber of Com­ The mini-car fleet was among three a resident would walk no more than a Air - conditioned merce, are scheduled June 15 through proposals described by the engineer. block to pick up one of the small cars. buses again will Sept. 6. Also suggested was inauguration of Mileage and time would be computer­ leave Jack London Beginning at historic Jack London some conventional bus service and a ized and the renter would leave the car Square in Oakland Square, the bus wends its way past doorstep dial-a-bus system for extensive at his destination, picking up another at 1 p.m. every day Oakland's Victorian style buildings, the use by the many elderly, handicapped one for the trip home. except Monday for Kaiser-Ordway complex, and around and non-drivers living in the central Monitoring would keep a supply of the 2~ hour trip Lake Merritt. county area. cars available at all locations. through Oakland, In Alameda, points of interest in­ Federal funds would be expected to A dial-a-bus system is proposed for Alameda, Piedmont clude historic homes, the South Shore help underwrite costs of the transporta­ persons with limited mobility, who and Berkeley. area, and one of the narrowest buildings tion systems. would be able to telephone for a small The invitation to in California-a one-room-wide home. The mini-cars would be located at passenger bus for trips scheduled be­ take the special bus Also on the tour itinerary are stops 4,000 curbside stations and would be tween 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to "explore the East at the Mormon Temple, with its view able to carry up to three passengers to At the same time, consultants recom­ Bay" is not only of the entire Bay Area, and at the nearby BART stations. They also could mended a conventional bus line in fixed TOUR GOAL­ Mills College extended to visitors, Sather Gate entrance of the University be used for school and shopping trips routes between cities, with extension of hell tower but is also suggested of California at Berkeley. of short distances. AC Transit service to the Pinole area. 2 3 FIRST BUS TRANSIT -The jitnell bus asso­ ciation had this fleet of touring cars, above, "Sissy" Gavello when organized bt{ Nicholas P. Alevizos, right, veteran AC Transit transportation su­ Trains horses for perintendent. Fun and trophies The jitney era HORSEWOMAN - Sandra Gavello astride "Pellote Peak" prepares to receive trophy Nicholas P. Alevizos, 70, marked half Street car operators went after legis­ from Clark Miller of the 4gers. The occasion a century in bus transit on May 21, lation, which soon took a toll among was a memorial at Sequoia Arena for Charles many of the jitney drivers. E. Back, Senior Resident Engineer of the counting his experience back to an era State of California, and a great horseman. little remembered by present day pas­ But Alevizos, looking into the future, sengers. already had built his strength. He or­ Horsepower means four legs and a As an equestrian who schools horses, Alevizos, transportation superintend­ ganized other drivers into an association whinny to Mrs. Sandra "Sissy" Gavello, "Sissy" has spent much of her time in ent of the Richmond Division, started to operate a regularly scheduled transit young maintenance clerk at Seminary. rings with other people's horses, but she battling his way up the ladder of transit line in West Oakland. Although she works with a different also has owned her own, 92 at one time. history in 1921, when he purchased one In 1928, the association discarded open kind of horsepower in maintenance, she She acquired the 92 as a horsetrader of the jitneys then scooting around the touring cars and went into operation with spends much of her outside time with in the East Bay and Red Bluff. streets in Oakland. eight new Ford buses. Each had a seat­ real horses, the kinds that have won "I went broke in four months. Those Nick's car was a seven-passenger Stu­ ing capacity of 10. The name was more trophies than she can count. horses ate a ton of hay a day," "Sissy" debaker, which already had clocked changed to West Oakland Motor Bus Like many girls, "Sissy" was figura­ remembers. 100,000 miles in jitney service. Another Lines. tively "bitten by a horse fly" at an early Horses develop bad habits, usually 300,000 miles were added before it was In 1934, the business was incorporated age. By the time she was three, she was from the people who own them, AC retired. as Oakland Motor Bus Lines and in saving grass for horses. By eight, she Transit's horsewoman says. Although bitterly fought by street car 1935 was sold to East Bay Street Rail­ was begging to ride at a corral near her She can break the habit, but knows companies and the object of what long ways- one of the Key System enterprises. East Oakland home. About the same the horse will return to it if he returns was known as the "jitney war;" Alevizos Nick went along as superintendent and time, she started spending her vacations to the same owner. considers the jitneys the forerunners of when Richmond Division was built in working at a dude ranch at Lake Tahoe. "Horses know what they can get away bus transit. 1947, "Papa Nick" moved to the Rich­ She helped take care of horses and with. They're just like kids. You can Jitneys started in Oakland in 1914 and mond yard. guided tourists who wanted to ride. almost hear them saying, 'Oh, boy.''' the word came from a slang phrase for Long active in community and frater­ By 12 or 13, "Sissy" had joined the "Sissy" was Western Girl Champion, the five-cent fare. It wasn't long before nal organizations, Nick may well be Metropolitan Horsemen's Association Fifth Region, State of California, and has jitneys faced the ire of street car opera­ best known for his traditional role of and was showing horses- winning rib­ American Horse Show medals for both tors, who complained they ran along the Santa Claus-the one who arrives on bons and trophies for their owners. English and Western riding. same route ahead of the trolleys, picking top of AC Transit's decorated bus. up passengers and leaving the companies Alevizos lives with his wife, Mary, at Retirement hegins for transit veterans with nothing but a deficit. 1570 Jackson St., Oakland. Two long-time employees, both of Mrs. Geneva M. Mullebrouck, a high­ whom had original starting dates in ly respected senior account clerk, dates PROGRESS-By 1928, iitnet{ operators had regular buses and the name of West Oakland Motor Bus Lines. the mid-20's, have entered the ranks of her original service from Jan. 2, 1926. AC Transit pensioners. However, she, too, left during World Antone P. EVDVich, 65, started with War II, returning Jan. 13, 1947. Key System on June 18, 1925, and left Mrs. Mullebrouck was honored by her in 19.'31. He returned on Nov. 15, 1945, fellow employees with a retirement par­ as a mechanic and retired Mar. 18, 1971. ty on May 12. 4 • What the Editors are Balance In urban transportation urged Saying about Transit (Uributt£ ~uitorial }laBc

Of all the facets of our existence des­ Mass transit, as the mode of the fu­ noting that state highway funds cannot money. For population projections sug­ tined for the most change in the next ture, easily gains the most attention, not ~ be diverted to rapid transit (such action gest that in many cases the medium-sized decade or so, transportation would seem only with the attendant promise of mas­ is prohibited by law), there appears to population areas of today are destined to to lead the list. sive federal aid for local systems, but t be another feasible route available for gain metropolitan status in the decades Concerned about smog, about crowded with the formal recognition at the state helping local communities develop or im­ ahead. So the proper planning for all highways, about the growing difficulties level that indeed there may be "more prove their transit systems and services. types of transportation is needed now. of just getting from one place to another than one road to Rome." The Legislature is now actively con­ Further, present population centers in urban communities, people impatient­ Last week, Governor Reagan an­ sidering several similar bills to add a with their acknowledged and immediate ly look for some positive show of activity nounced that freeway planning hence­ five per cent sales tax (about two cents transportation requirements, need not to help relieve their anxieties. forth will be a "partnership" process a gallon) on all gasoline purchases. preempt all transit planning activity nor The man who drives across the Bay to wherein local governments will be asked About $150 million would be raised reserve to themselves all the federal or work each day may be alarmed by the to work with the state to determine each year under the plan, and most of state dollars that may become available. smog he sees hanging over the hills while highway needs. the money would be returned to local Though ostensibly unrelated, the gov­ coming home, but he won't admit his Alternatives to freeways- specifically transit agencies. The money thus avail­ ernor's new program and the proposed own auto is an ogre to be destroyed. mass transit systems- will be weighed in able could be used on a matching fund gasoline sales tax legislation can be Rather, he maintains his confidence, relation to highways, and if there are basis to gain sizable federal grants to meshed to form a solid foundation for a albeit somewhat uneasily, that technol­ joint decisions for the former, then there buy equipment, lay track or even to balanced and equitable state-wide trans­ ogy and imagination can make his en­ will be no state attempt to mandate free­ provide free rides. portation policy. vironment wholesome without returning way construction in the objecting locali­ Under the Federal Urban Mass Trans­ For massive as they may be, urban all of us to the horse and buggy era. ties. portation Assistance Act, a total of $10 transportation problems of this state are At long last, Detroit's auto makers are As an early dividend from the new billion in federal funds will be available amenable to solution, not in an "either­ applying their technical skills to finding policy, future Interstate 5 highway con­ to assist local communities during the or" choice between mass transit and a solution within a reasonable time of struction in Los Angeles and Orange next 12 years. highways, trucks and autos, but in a much of our air pollution problem, and counties is expected to have lanes re­ It is significant that communities with natural and balanced mixture that uses governments are paying rather belated served exclusively for high speed bus as little as 100,000 population are being the best talent and ingenuity available respect to many other forms of transpor­ serVIce. encouraged to participate in those fed­ from private industry and from all levels tation. While the governor was specific in eral programs and get some of that of government. Maintenance Award

THEIR REWARD - For nine Ijears in a row, AC Transit maintenance crews have earned the "Fleet Owner" Magazine Mainte­ nance Efficienclj Award. Crews from each of the three divisions, from left, SeminaTlj, Richmond and Emeryville, celebrated the receipt of the award with coffee and doughnuts. 6 7 BART coordination ()IPt, AC Transit moves along on line changes More than $500,000 of new money will This additional service is estimated to 'S_' be needed to finance coordination of AC cost more than $100,000 a year. Transit and BART and to link Metro­ • Endorsed pending State legislation 7fI'Itte politan Oakland Airport by bus with extending the state retail sales tax to rapid transit service. include gasoline, to support the opera­ Board of Directors faced this need tion of mass transit systems. This could this month as they considered final rec­ amount to $6,000,000 to systems in this ommendations for realignment of the area and underwrite optimum bus ser­ I know one is always receiving letters . . . can't help but wonder why, on first bus lines to coordinate with the vice to BART stations. of complaint, but I wanted to take time Line 32, the bus leaves West Grand and opening of the Hayward-Oakland leg Lines rerouted to say "Thank-you" to all your staff. Broadway at 3:58 p.m.? All of us who of BART next January. Directors first heard recommended re­ I feel I am an authority on bus riding. get off work at 4 p.m. just see the tail Directors have considered 18 of the routing of 10 lines which have previously I travel more than 10,000 miles per year end of the bus at 16th and Broadway existing bus lines which will be rerouted been studied and generally agreed to by to different cities and have been com­ across from Rhodes, and then have to to provide connector service to BART civic governments, improvement clubs, muting on buses for 25 years. AC Tran­ wait from 18 to 20 minutes for the next stations in the south County area. Chambers of Commerce and BART. sit rates Number One in my book. one. New mileage At a second meeting this month, the I only hope your employees appre­ We just stand around and watch all More than $300,000 a year will be board was to consider another eight ciate working for such a fine company. kinds of other buses going by. required in new mileage to realign the IJines, including four local lines and four Sandra S. Simonian E. E. Sklinchar buses to BART stations, W. E. Robinson, intercity express lines. Oakland San Lorenzo transportation engineer, told directors. In the meantime, committees of direc­ .. co .. (Improved traffic conditions have Initial rerouting would increase the tors from AC Transit and BART were made scheduled adjustments practical property's annual mileage by 342,754 continuing to meet on a regular basis to and buses now make a meet.-Ed.) miles and require 10 additional buses consider projects affecting coordination Would you please convey thanks to and 15 more operators. Mileage costs of the two systems. your outstanding driver, Ronald W. and wages, at the current labor rate, Both boards have agreed to the prin­ John-sen, on our recent trip to Sacra­ co co .. would total the $300,000 figure. ciple of a new planning project con­ mento. Preliminary estimates indicate an ad­ cerned with coordination, but have not His assistance to the teachers and 8th ditional $300,000 a year will be needed agreed on a work program. grade class was "beyond the call of I think that AC Transit should be to reroute buses into BART stations with AC Transit has said it is against using duty" and was greatly appreciated. aware that Marjorie Ezell is an excep­ the opening of the Richmond and Con­ additional taxpayer funds for other en­ The Anna Head School tional employee. cord lines, Robinson said. gineering projections to "replow" ground Mrs. Alden Peterson Two weeks ago, on a very stormy Much of this expense will be offset already "plowed over and over again." Oakland night. Miss Ezell stopped on one of the with partial abandonment of AC Transit Actual analysis .. .. . off-ramps of the bridge and, with every transbay bus service when BART be­ Alan L. Bingham, general manager of concern to the safety of her passengers comes fully operative. AC Transit, said actual operation of the and others on the road, she handed a Board action Hayward-Oakland rail line should be Your driver, Mr. Joseph G. Montanez, lighted flare to a car stranded in the Concerned over placing additional fi­ used for extensive marketing analysis is always most cheerful and pleasant to middle of the highway. She explained nancial burden on passengers or proper­ into effectiveness of all phases of co­ one and all. The passengers who board to the man in distress how to use and ty taxpayers, the board took this action: ordination, developing actual informa­ his Line "H" bus at Bancroft Way and dispose of the flare. Everyone on the • Directed that BART board of direc­ tion on patronage, equipment and im­ Sacramento St. want you and him to bus was so pleased by such a thoughtful tors be requested to share part of costs provements needed. know that he brightened our day, as act. of the rerouting program. BART management contends another we boarded the bus. with a pleasant Miss Ezell is consistently a credit to • Directed similar consultation with technical study is needed to update pre­ "Hello" or "Good morning." and cheered your concern. and if any employee of Port of Oakland to help pay for costs vious engineering studies and to deter­ us OD our way as we left with "Have a AC Transit deserves a commendation, of new bus service which would be pro­ mine alternate recommendations regard­ good .. I nominate Marjorie Ezell. vided between the Coliseum BART sta­ ing routes, headways, hours of service Corrine Menietti tion and Metropolitan Oakland Airport. and finances. Oakland 8 9 Drivers honored for Gains registered during March Community involvement Gains iB all categorie ~ept East Bay revenue were registered during the month 01 March. Total pasenger revenue lor the month was $1,373,342, up $16,129 or 1.19 percent above the $1,357,213 collected during March, 1970. East Bay revenue was 714,187, down $15,964lrom the $730,151 dropped into lare AC i;r• • sil ( ¢fIltllUUUy ~n·k . Citation boxes a year ago--a decrease 0/2.19 percent. Transbay revenue lor March _ A-...... was $659,155, up $32,093 or 5.12 percent above revenue 01 $627,062 col­ lUthbi litt..uJw.hl ~ ..",:"",,- -.!-~--­ lected during March, 1970. "'--'..,.~~..:...... -=:.- Commute book sales totaled $303,581, up 8.4 percent above sales 01 $280,094 during the same month in 1970. AC Transit carried 4,676,719 passengers during March, up 82,518 or HONORED-Drivers D . R. 1.80 percent above the 4,594,201 carried during the month 0/ March, 1970. Hebel, ]. ]. Ward and D. W. Franz, from left, receive East Bay ht.ses carried 3,330,406 passengers, up 12,529 or .38 percent Radio Alert certificates from above the 3,317,877 who rode during the same month a year earlier. On Deput1j Police Chief George transbay lines, patronage lor the month totaled 1,346,313, up 69,989 or Hart. Operator Mehdi Kha­ shabi, above, holds AC 5.48 percent above the March, 1970, figure 0/1,276,324. Transit Citation. Operating costs during the month were $1,849,139, up $229,678 or 14.18 percent above year-ago expenses 01 $1,619,461. The system oper­ Four AC Transit bus drivers were man from assaulting a woman rider. ated 2,231,453 miles 01 service, an increase of 94,076 miles or 4.40 per­ honored this month for community in­ All work at Emeryville Division. cent above the March, 1970, mileage of 2,137,377. Mehdi uMike" Khashabi, 36, from volvement which aided fellow citizens. Total income of $2,129,759 covered operational costs, depreciation and Three of the operators received Radio Richmond Division, received the prop­ Alert Certificates of Appreciation from erty's Community Service Citation for bond debt requirements, leaving a surplus of $80,181. the Oakland Police Department in the trying to aid a recruiting sergeant in The tran.~it industry nationally indicated a riding increase for the month first official recognition program. Berkeley. 0/ 2.73 percent. Out of 38 police alert calls received Khashabi and his brother, Massoud, 3 year passenger revenue comparison by the department during March, 14- heard noises over the cafe they own $1,420,000 or 40 percent-came from AC Transit and ran upstairs to become involved in I I I 1,400,000 drivers by relay from Central Dispatch. a struggle between a recruiting sergeant 1971 AC Transit's own Community Service and a knife-armed assailant. The assail­ 1,380,000 ~ ~ - 1970 Citation was given to another operator, ant was held for police. The recruiter, ~ ~ I 1\\ 1,360,000 .," for efforts to prevent a fatal stabbing. Staff Sgt. Roger D. Mobley, died of his , - 1969 1,340,000 K \\ The drivers honored by Oakland po­ wounds. , 1.320.000 - I III \\ lice included: Richmond drivers continue , I 11 \ i ~ John]. Ward, 43, of 1333 Madison St., 1,300.000 , Oakland, who observed a cab driver To break safe-driving record 1.280.000 I\. i I 1 I '\ who had been assaulted and robbed. Operators at AC Transit's Richmond 1,260,000 ~ IJ I I' Division are in a rut - and everyone He aided the driver and notified Central 1,240.000 A I .. I- Dispatch to call police. hopes they stay there. For the tenth ~ IJ K , ., l 1 Dwight O. Franz, 40, 5121 Clinton month in a row, Richmond drivers have 1.220.000 1jr- A "'- N ' If' ...j Ave., Richmond, who saw a man robbing exceeded their safe-driving goal of 1.200.000 11 a woman, gave aid to the woman and 13,250 miles per accident. 1,180,000 A I II 1" used his radio to call for help. As a During April they scored an impres­ 1,160,000 r\ ~ r7 ""II result, police recovered the woman's sive 15,.523 miles per accident. 1,140,000 H purse. Seminary Division also topped the ,\1 1,120,000 " Donald R. Hebel, 33, of 747 Lewelling goal; but their mark was a closer 13,253 Blvd., San Leandro, who restrained a miles per accident. 1,100,000 1,080,000 10 1,060,000 j JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC. ActioDS of the Board At an adjourned regular meeting April 28, the Board of Directors: • Endorsed preliminary plans for a Transit ·Times joint technical study by AC Transit, Published monthly by the BART and Metropolitan Transportation ALAMEDA·CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT 508 16th St., Oakland, California 94612 Commission to determine effectiveness of Telephone (415) 654·7878 transit service coordination, on motion of Joseph McCord, Editor Director Daughtry. BOARD OF DIRECTORS RAY RI NEHART...... President • Approved operation of summer sight­ Director at Large E. GUY WARREN . . . . • . Vice President seeing tour, on motion of Director Bet­ Ward V tencourt. (See story, Pg. 2) ROBERT M. COPELANQ.- . Director at Large CLAUDE DAUGHTRY . • Ward I • Recommended abandonment of Sat­ WILLIAM E. BERK . . . . · .. Ward II JOHN McDONNELL . . . · . . Ward III urday service on Alameda portion of WM. J. BETTENCOURT. . . · .. Ward IV Line 79, due to lack of riders, on motion MANAGEMENT ALAN L. BINGHAM • • . • General Manager of Director Bettencourt. HAROLD M. DAVIS •• Assistant General Manager for Personnel • Approved future realignment of 10 GEORGE M. TAYLOR . Assistant General Manager . . . for Administration and Distriel Secretary lines to serve BART stations and voted HOWARD D. BEEBE. . Purchases and Stores Mgr. to seek financial assistance from State E. SAM DAVIS . • Research and Planning Manager VIRGINIA B. DENNISON Public Information Mgr. and Federal levels and from BART and OZRO D. GOULD . . .. Claims Manager ANTHONY R. LUCCHESI . . Maintenance Manager Port of Oakland to help offset added ROBERT E. NISBET • • . . • . . . Attorney DONALD J . POTTER . . . Transportation Manager costs of service extensions to BART WARREN E. ROBINSON . Transportation Engineer ROBERT D. TOUGH . . . Treasurer-Controller stations, on motion of Director Betten­ GORDON G. WADSWORTH . . Safety Engineer

court. (See story, Pg. 8) L-______~9------~ • Supported pending State legislation to establish a retail sales tax on gasoline study, with a proposed budget of which would be used to assist publicly­ $180,000, with local contribution of owned transit systems in state, on motion $30,000 in cash and services, be approved of Director Berk. in principle, provided a mutually satis­ '" '" '" factory work program is developed, on At a regular meeting May 12, the motion of Director Copeland. Board of Directors: • Authorized Safety Engineer to ac­ cept nomination of executive committee Trial attorney named of transit section, National Safety Coun­ Richard W. Meier, 29, former deputy cil, on motion of Director Copeland. district attorney for Stanislaus County, • Referred Contra Costa Transporta­ has been appointed chief trial attorney tion Needs study to Project Development for AC Transit. Committee for analysis and report (See He attended St. Mary's College and story, Pg. 3) received his law training at Boalt Hall. • Adopted Transit Coordination Com­ He joined the Stanislaus County DA's mittee recommendation that a technical office after passing the Bar examination.

AC Transit Latham Square Building Oakland, California 94612

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