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.