On Saturday, Alamedans have one last chance to weigh in on proposed changes to AC Transit’s service. I’ve highlighted what I see as the pros and cons here. The end result is less bus service in Alameda, and no matter what anybody does, that’s where we will end up.
Saturday, September 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Independence Plaza
Ruth Rambeau Community Room
703 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda
Take the bus: Lines 51, 63, O
I have also but up maps and overviews of the changes for the West End, East End and Bay Farm Island. I’ve also covered why the “west end is getting screwed” theme that continues to try and catch fire is less compelling that folks seem to want it to be.
My recommendation is to make Saturday’s meeting an exercise of give constructive input about the proposals. AC Transit is already responding to the requests of various Alamedans to look at moving the proposed West End service from Appezzato to Lincoln/Pacific. Hopefully, they’ll have some definitive answers on Saturday.
Another good clarification that AC Transit needs to be able to offer on Saturday is exactly what they are proposing for West End school bus service. Most of the non-Alameda Point, west end riders on the current Line 63 are high school students and providing solid service to Encinal and Island Highs is critical. At this point, AC Transit should be able to answer what they are thinking.
Here’s why arguing “west end vs. east end” is a losing strategy. First, transit planning doesn’t work by shortening one bus line and adding to another. Union contracts and other constraints mandate various work rules. Once a line takes more than an hour to run, certain break times are required (for driver/passenger safety). Taking a line, like the proposed West End route and adding 5 minutes to it and having it run 62 minutes (making up numbers here, but it is true that the proposed line is running close to its max.) means adding a whole other bus to offer essentially the same service.
Personally, if I were going, I’d be arguing for augmented West End school service, West End routing that included Lincoln/Pacific, West End service that drives down Main to Midway before entering Alameda Point and then ending at City Hall West. (no Ferry connection). I’d be arguing for the North side (read Line 19) service to be prioritized at the top of the list for reinstatement when funds are available. (Commute only service is not a financial possibility, so while it make sense from a ridership POV, they aren’t going to be able to make it happen).
And then, I’ll be preparing to ask the AC Transit board to include explicit goals for putting into place specific metrics for monitoring the success of these lines and make a commitment to offering riders a better service in return for accepting lower service levels.
At the end of the day, Alameda may end up with higher bus ridership after these changes go into place. There is a little bit of Good sprinkled in with the loss of service.