Bus order Proximity to builder proves boon Proximity of bus manufacturer to Also, as noted by Board President Jean , buyer - Gillig Corporation of Hayward Holmes, it's helpful to AC Transit's to AC Transit - has proven to be a policy-makers to be able to "observe boon, according to System Directors, first-hand the process and the problems management, operating and mainte­ of building buses to meet the require­ nance personnel. ments of our System." The advantages of having new coaches Says Nisbet, "With future acquisitions for AC Transit fleet replacement rolling we'll have to see who comes in meeting off an assembly line so near Downtown specs and with a low bid. But this I would like to bring to your attention I ride the bus rarely, so when I boarded Oakland headquarters and all operating purchase has proven to be a boon to a the excellence of one of your coach I had to ask the driver the correct fare, divisions have been particularly dra­ local transit system, two local manufac­ operators - M. E. Andrews. for a transfer, and directions to my matized since delivery began last month turers, to local bus riders, and to the tax­ In one instance, he aided a blind pas­ destination in Oakland. He was polite and of the first of 141 buses ordered from the payers. " senger onto another bus - actually stop­ helpful. When I changed buses, I showed firm formerly famous as a builder of ping the other bus and leading her onto my transfer to the driver who asked me school buses. it. Minutes later, he was providing writ­ to relinquish it. Later, I overheard the Maintenance and transportation peo­ ten instructions to a passenger who was driver tell someone who also wanted to ple have discovered how quickly produc­ lost. A woman had just run onto the bus keep her transfer that another transfer tion-line solutions can be agreed upon with her child, and Mr. Andrews waited could be obtained for half-price. when it's possible to meet instantly with patiently until she was seated before Why not have a sign with all this infor­ Gillig engineers to iron out problems moving the coach. mation about fares, transfers, ages, etc., right on the spot. Mr. Andrews' performance was above posted in every bus? In addition, why not Since Environmental Equipment Cor­ and beyond the ordinary. have it printed on the timetables, avail­ poration, which is furnishing the Gregory Look able to everyone. Newspapers would be wheelchair lifts being installed on these Berkeley glad to transmit changes. It would be buses, also is close by in San Leandro, THE COVER - A September 22 helpful (to the operator) as well. the onsite problem-solving potential is event marked the business link be­ * * * tween AC Transit, Gillig, and I believe that employees who are good Ellen Drori further increased. Berkeley "In this case, too, their nearness is a Environmental Equipment Corpora­ representatives of their employers tion which has present and future sig­ should be mentioned. Yesterday I was on (Ed. Note: See item, Pg. 6, about AC Tran­ definite advantage," according to General Manager Robert E. Nisbet. nificance for East Bay public trans­ a 51 bus from downtown Oakland to sit's rider in/ormation efforts.) portation and also provides a positive Alameda. On Santa Clara Avenue I "When lift-equipment problems arise, note in the recession-hit Alameda observed that the driver, Steven Hayes, * * * we examine them jointly and hasten the County employment picture. Among acted in a kind and compassionate man­ I would like to commend L. D. Morrow solution. " participants noting AC Transit' s ner toward an elderly gentleman. on being a very conscientious driver and There's also a dollar-saving benefit order for new buses from Gillig, with Rebecca Wolstenholme dedicated worker while exhibiting cour­ attached to this first-time situation of wheelchair lifts furnished by EEC, (upper left photo) were, left to right, Alameda teous responses to all questions. doing bus building business with an East Bay neighbor. Since the buses are driven Mayor Alex Giuliani, Hayward; Helen Ponzelli Board President Jean Holmes ; * * * Lafayette just a couple of miles from the assembly Recently I rode a bus driven by David site, the District pays substantially General Manager Robert E. Nisbet; reduced delivery charges. This unit sav­ Director William J. Bettencourt; and Pinckard, whom I found very friendly and * * * Gillig's John Olivera, vice president, courteous. As new passengers boarded, I was a passenger on a 51 bus yesterday ing, multiplied by the total order of 141 and Dennis Howard, president. he greeted them with a warm "good and was so impressed with the driver's coaches, adds up to nearly the purchase Nisbet (upper right photo) is shown morning", and I'm sure he brightened (L. H. Lee) gentlemanly, cheerful and price of an additional bus. with Kevin Adams, vice president, many of their days with his friendliness. helpful attitude and excellent handling of For the East Bay as a whole, the Gillig EEC. Organization officials, media, I think it really helps to promote a the bus down Broadway in heavy traffic order has meant several hundred jobs and guests gathered for the event good image of AC Transit. that could try the nerves of a saint. during a severe recession period in which Oower photo) in front of Gillig's Sarah Murray Mrs. J. H. Anderson Alameda County has been particularly Hayward manufacturing facility. El Cerrito Oakland hard-hit. 2 3 November election Fremont-Newark Study Candidates vie for four Board positions Survey spotlights transit consciousness Adults in Fremont and Newark - bus the bus service themselves expressed Four seats on AC Transit's policymak­ Alan Laird, and Hector Reyna, all of riders and non-riders alike - voice a great concern about maintaining it for ing Board of Directors will be determined Oakland. Constituency includes AC strong sense of community concern others in their community. by November 2 voting. The balloting by Transit's entire service area, from Rich­ about bus service in their cities. This was Although the non-riders responded District voters will take place in conjunc­ mond and San Pablo on the north to fre­ a key finding in a market survey con­ favorably to possible service adjustments tion with the statewide general election mont. ducted for the District. that they found personally attractive - of that date. The riders voiced substantial satisfac­ such as more frequent commute-hour bus Board seats to be determined are those Bus service kicks off tion with the bus service (as reported in service - they voiced strong opposition to which represent Wards III, IV and V, the May, 1982, Transit Times), and they achieving such changes by 'trading ofT' plus one Director-at-Large constituency. For UC football games voiced considerable concern about main­ service levels currently operated midday. Those Directors elected in November The Golden Bears and the bus fleet taining present levels of service. Both riders and non-riders gave top will serve four-year terms which will joined forces as of mid-September when In the second phase of the two-part billing to close-at-home bus stops in begin January 3, 1983. AC Transit kicked off service to Univer­ survey - in-depth, 20-minute telephone expressing their attitudes about their Ward III currently is represented by sity of California, Berkeley, football interviews conducted with some 200 local bus network. This coincides with John McDonnell, seeking re-election in games for the 1982 season. adult nonriders - even those respon­ AC Transit's own long-standing concept competition with Cecilia L. Phillips and Football fans can get to Memorial dents who voiced little interest in using of the importance of bus stops near Myrna Ochoa Valdez. All are Oakland Stadium without traffic-hassles or park­ homes. residents. Ward III comprises the cities ing headaches by using AC Transit Lines Two take new positions as However, while riders gave second of Alameda and Piedmont, and that part 40 and 51151A. Shuttle service also is place to 'economy' among their five of Oakland which is south of Highway 24, operated between Third & University Assistant superintendents 'very important' reasons for riding buses, northeast of the MacArthur Freeway, and Bancroft & Piedmont for local riders non-riders ranked public transit's dollar­ and south of 35th Ave. It includes the and for blue-and-gold fans coming from saving potential as fifth among their con­ Elmhurst, Fruitvale, Melrose, Mills­ San Francisco on regular Line F buses. cerns when viewing the bus-use option. mont, Montclair, Oakmore, Oak Knoll, BART riders may transfer to Line 51 Important motivators for transit use, Piedmont Pines, Seminary and Sheffield buses at BART /Rockridge or at BART / both groups agreed, are such factors as Village areas. Berkeley. freedom from parking problems and Ward IV is now represented by Regular fares prevail for the stadium good service to the workplace and to William J. Bettencourt, San Leandro. service. BART passengers pay half-fare shopping centers. The other candidate for the seat is Philip by showing their bus transfers obtained The information gathered on aware­ J. Adams, Hayward. Ward IV encom­ within the paid area of the BART sta­ Don Myers Bill Schmid ness, attitudes and opinions of both passes the city of San Leandro, the unin­ tions. riders and non-riders in the two cities is corporated areas of Ashland, Castro Don R. Myers and William F. Schmid now being studied for incorporation into Valley, San Lorenzo, the portion of are new assistant superintendents in the future service planning and transit infor­ Hayward east of the Southern Pacific Transportation Department's Seminary mation efforts.