transit times volume 4, number 11

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 4, Number 11

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Vol. 4 No. 11

Commuter SalesUp 8.5 Percent forMonth of FebruarySuccess of the exclusive bus lane inmoving commuters across the Bay Bridgeand in getting riders to switch from private cars to public transportation wasindicated by an 8.5 per cent increase inthe sale of commute books in February .

Although a jump in commute sales wasnoted after the bus lane was establishedby the State January 15 to take some ofthe pressure off rush hour congestion, theFebruary figures were the first to covera full month of special lane operations.

Sales for the month totaled $146,400,an increase of $11,400 over February oflast year. Overall transbay revenue forthe month showed a 2.1 percent increaseover February, 1961, despite one lessworking day and severe rainy weather.

While commute book sales increased,the sale of single ride tickets declined5.8 per cent, from $51,900 in February,1961, to $48,800 in February, 1962.

The drop was attributed to weatherand to the loss of a regular working day,but was also seen as an indication thatmore casual riders have become regularcommuters.

As a result of the special lane, busescan make the bridge crossing in 12 or 13minutes, about twice as fast as autos inevening rush hour traffic.

OAKLAND, MARCH 1962

Possible AnnexationTo Tans;t DistrictStudied by Tr;-(;tiesPossible annexation to the AlamedaContra Costa Transit District was underinvestigation this month by municipaland business leaders of the tri-city areaof Fremont, Union City and Newark.At issue is the question of providingbus service to 70,000 residents in a 113square mile area encompassed by thecities in Washington Township.As a result of studies made by a subcommittee of the 'iVashington TownshipCommittee for Inter-District Relationships, the committee recommended thatcity councils of the three cities makea formal request to the transit district forinformation on obtaining bus service.

The committee, composed of delegatesfrom public bodies in all three cities,has been spearheading establishment oftransit service in the area, noting tremendous growth of the area and a population figure that is expected to doubleby 1970.

The request for city council actionwas made by the committee followingan informal meeting with AC Transitofficials which dealt with the possibilityof annexing to the district.District officials agreed that the threecities should take the initial step if theywant AC Transit service in the area, bytransmitting a formal exploratory requestfrom the city councils to the district.(Continued on Page 8)


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New Commuters Find It's FunA bus may not look like a ferry boat.

And it certainly doesn't act like one.So the 32 Hayward-San Lorenzo Free

way Express ma y be the first East Baycommuter bus to boast of a ferry boataura. The commuters are playing cardsin the back of the bus now, to prove thejoys of unconcerned riding.

True to old-time commuting tradition,the game is Hearts, with a varying number of riders taking part- depending onwho catches the bus that leaves FairwayPark at 6:28 a.m.

Play gets underway on the morningtrip after the San Lorenzo stop, resumesagain on the Line 32'Express that leaves11th and Franklin Sts. in downtown Oakland at 4:59 p.m.

Some of the players make both sessions, some play just in the morning or inthe evening bu t according to the busdrivers, "whoever plays sure has a goodtime doing it."

Most of the players switched to theexpress from their own car commuting.2

Then in casual talking, they got the ideathat it would be fun to play cards.

At first they used a flat lunch box ofFrederick W. Price as their "card table".Then Price, who lives at 30 LafayetteAve., Hayward, and catches the bus atFairway Park, offered to make a cardtable if somebody else would carry i t -he has eight blocks to walk.

This was agreeable and Price made thetable, a neat covered affair which foldsin the middle and has a carrying handle.The players take over the back of thebus and, along with varying "kibitzers,"enjoy the services of Jerryi Zinnel of23245 Jorgensen Lane, Hayward, asscorekeeper.In the camaraderie of commuting, the

men have welcomed women to the groupand have even allowed Barbara Hixsonof 17268 Via Chiquita, San Lorenzo, toserve as part-time table toter, as well assub score-keeper.

Play is just for fun and if they don'tfinish a game during the run, they start

ANYBODY FOR CARDS?-Riders on Line32 Hayward-San Lorenzo Express havenot only revived the traditional commutergame ofIHearts,"they're having a whaleof a time doing it. The game is a regularevent on the 6:28 a.m. schedule out ofFairway Park and homeward bound, onthe run that leaves 11 th an d FranklinSts. at 4:59 p.m.

o Ride the Busall over again the next trip. All together,the group includes:

Price; William L. Moriarty, 26446Mockingbird Lane, Hayward; E. A. McFaddin, Jr., 1399 Linfield Lane, Hayward; Delmar Schmidt, 24726 Brentwood Ct., Hayward; D. C. Bernhardy,35734 Orleans Dr., Newark; JacquelineTullis, 1737 Via Buena Vista, San Lorenzo; Arnold Soto, 17209 Via La Jolla,San Lorenzo; Gil Okeson, 25586 BarnardSt., Hayward; Jim McCollam, 17428 ViaLa Jolla, San Lorenzo; Bruce Bradley,15902 Via Descanso, San Lorenzo; Barbara Hamann, 26749 Chiplay Ave. , Hayward; Jim Witterman, 17830 Via Arriba,San Lorenzo; W. F. Watkins, 637 Lebanon St., Hayward, along with thescore-keeper and sub score-keeper.

Although they may be the first regularbus commuting card players, they knowthey're not original. They share the freeway in the morning with a Volkswagenbus that also has a busy card game underway in the back!

Fare-Cut for SeniorCitizens Voted DownBy Board 'At Present'

Concluding a nine-month study, ACTransit directors decided this monthagainst cutting fares for senior citizens atthe present time.

The board followed the recommendation of its project development committeein rejecting the requested fare cu t forall of the East Bay's estimated 88,000residents over 65 years of age.

The action was based on the experience of several transit companies, whichfound the loss of revenue from reducedfares was not compensated by a corresponding increase in riding.In recommending against reducingfares for a specific group at this time, thecommittee stressed it was leaving the"door open" for further consideration, if

the experiences of other cities show thatthe fare cu t results in the doubling ofpatronage, as senior citizen groups haveestimated.

Senior citizens proposed a 10 cent fareduring off-peak hours, as compared topresent fares of 25 cents or five tokensfor $1.

They also found that out of 315 citiescanvassed, only four have a program ofreduced fare privileges. Of the four,three are on an experimental basis.

N one of the four transit companieshave found that riding increased enoughto compensate for the loss of revenue. InDes ' Moines, Iowa, transit officials feltthey had gained some goodwill and public relations value from the experimentand that some change had been made inriding habits of older persons from peakperiod times to off-peak periods.

Because of potential revenue loss, areduced fare plan has been twice rejected in San Francisco and in Cleveland.

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Early Day Workers Taken by DeathDeath came on March 12 to two early

day transit workers, William H. Brown,84, and David B. Buras, 64.Brown, who lived at 2102 Buena VistaAve., Alameda, started work in the Oak

land yards in 1906 and was pensionedin 1949 after working 45 years on thetrains.Buras went to work as a street car

operator in 1923, switched to bus operations in 1'935 and was pensioned in 1948,after a brief period as a traffic checker.He lived with his wife, Sally, in Biggs,Calif.

Nick Cenovesino, 82, of 19884 ForestAve., Castro Valley, died on March 3. Ajanitor at the Oakland yards, he enteredservice in 1915 an d was pensioned in1944.

William Rathie, 75, early day streetcar and train operator, died January 30.Mr. Rathie, who lived at 615 BrooklynAve., Apt. 3, Oakland, came under theKey System banner May 12, 1926, working on the cars and trains before transferring to the maintenance departmentin 1948. He was pensioned in 1956.

Sophus F. Nelsen, 63, pioneer busoperator, died February 5. He came towork as a motor coach driver in 1927and later served as an instructor andsupervisor. Mr. Nelsen was pensionedin 1959. He lived with his wife, Fern , at3985 Rhoda Ave., Oakland.

Hopefuls 'Shoot Works'Office employees from the Emeryvilledivision took a fling at making t h e i ~ fortunes during March, chartering a bus fora weekend junket to the "easy come,easy go" tables at the south end of LakeTahoe.Some 45 persons made the trip including wives, friends and AC workers. Th echarter was organized by Robert Dunn,senior clerk in purchasing stores.

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'iVord has also been received of thedeath last September of J. C. Ramsey, 84,who went to work in 1904 as an operatorfor East Bay Transit Co. Pensioned in1937, he made his home in Calistoga.

New Employees JoinTransportation Ranks

The following new employees joinedAC Transit District during February:General Offices

Accounting: Donald L. Orr, 1547 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, accountingclerk.Claims: Donna Mae Knott, 1919 CedarSt., Berkeley, typist clerk.Legal: Edna M. Lipsius, 2036 Sandcreek Way, Alameda, legal secretary.

Emeryville DivisionBus Operators: A. J. Carl, 1617 CentralAve., Alameda; W . R. Bernett, 22185

Center St., Apt. 7, Castro Valley; HaroldRussell, 568 47th St., Oakland; A. P.Ragone, 8047 Holanda Ct., Pleasanton;D. R. Page, 344 13th St., Oakland.Purchasing and Stores: Morris j\f .Clevenger, 12723 San Pablo Ave., Richmond, parts clerk.

Richmond DivisionBus Operators: O. L. Arms, 1086 Castro Rd., San Pablo; E. D. Thompson, 2021 .

Crucero Ave., San Pablo.Seminary Division

Bus Operators: W. R. Hanners, 3027Blossom St., Oakland; J. L. Snyder, 132398th Ave., Oakland ; D. F. Kilpatrick,1068 Rengstorff St., Mountain View;Milton Starks, 947 75th Ave., Oakland .Maintenance: Royal J. Kainoa, 4982

Reade Rd., Oakland.

RECEIVING END-Bus operators at Richmond Division get the full treatment afterwinning safe driving honors. Serving are apron clad N. P. Alevizos (left) transpor-tation superintendent at the division, and Safety Engineer Gordon Wadsworth.Among honored drivers were, left to right, Robert Willis, Donald Hanks, L. L. Jahraus,J. E. Gregg and W. F. McClure.

Richmond Drivers First to Top GoalLaurels-plus coffee and doughnuts

were in order this month for Richmonddivision bus operators, who won safedriving honors by tallying up 12,161miles per accident during February.As a result, the Richmond drivers became the first to break the "bogey" of12,100 miles per accident set up by thesafety department last October.

Although different divisions have comedose to the mark several times, theoperators from Richmond finally managed to push over the top, with 61 milesto spare. Close on their trail were Emeryville drivers, who lacked only a few milesof breaking the barrier.

More than 150 drivers collected the"victory" dunking.The new safe driving program, basedon miles per accident, gives each division

an equal chance regardless of the numberof buses assigned to the various divisions,according to Safety Engineer C. C.Wadsworth .

Meanwhile, a record 16,890 miles pei'road call brought honors and the awardof a new road call trophy to AC Transitmechanics at the Richmond division.The trophy, won in January by mechanics at the Emeryville division, was

moved into a glass case at the Richmondterminal, after mileage figures were tallied for February.The revolving trophy is presented to

the division that scores the highest mileage per road call for a month.Total mileage turned in at each division is divided by the number of roadcalls for mechanical help, to determine

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Transit Trails

BOLTS TO BOWLS-The designer-craftsmenannual show at Richmond Art Center givesviewers a chance to admire and envy.

WHAT IS IT?-Turn an artist loose in the scrappile and this is the result, a prize for the"junk sculpture" exhibit at the center.

Something for Everybody at Art CenterBy Virginia Dennison

Di d you know that a bucket of bolts ar t center for its March bu s tour of th ecan be beautiful? Or how to make a month.dragon's head(what every home needs?) . The civic center as a whole has its

Or that Richmond, the ship-riveting attractions from many viewpoints, as aboom town of war years, has one of the model of excellent planning, includingRnest ar t centers in the world, as part of civic buildings and an excellent modema Civic Center that's without a peer in public library.the Bay area? You'll pick up some of the feeling by

For a pleasant expedition, guaranteed walking through the gardens to th e artto arouse envy and at least a smattering center at the end of th e plaza.of culture, AC Transit has picked the The center functions as a community6

WHAT EVERY HOME NEEDS-A patio for browsing andsitting and creations like thedragon head, right, areamong art center attractions.

ar t institution-which means it tries tohave something for everybody.

For viewing purposes, there are galleries, with 36 different shows each year.One of the most popular, the designercraftsmen annual competition, opened inMarch and will be on view until April15- a rare chance to see creations fromCalifornia's top artists.

The range includes fantastic examplesof weaving, pottery, metal work, mosaics-all the things you wish you could do.It's also a chance to see an exhibit of"junk sculpture"- which looks like something anyone could do-with the help ofan automobile accident.Along with things to look at, the centerincludes a lot of things to do, classes foradults and children in varied arts, withsome of th e Rnest teachers in the west.

Besides th e studios and workshops,there's a rental gallery, where - for asmall fee-visitors can walk off with anywork in the exhibition.The Richmond Symphony Orchestraand th e Richmond Ballet Company alsofunction as a division of th e center program- and classes in these Relds are partof the center activities.Classes are at varied times, daytimeand evenings, bu t the galleries have thesehours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 to4:30; Monday through Thursday, 7 to9:30; Sunday afternoon, 2 to 5 p.m. Toreach the center by bus, take Line 72-M(downtown Oakland terminal at 11thand Jefferson) which runs to Richmondalong San Pablo Ave. The transbay LineL also passes the center, located at 25thand Macdonald Ave.

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REMEMBER WHEN?- Only a few old-timers probably recollect Oakland's splendidTubbs Hotel at East 12th St. and Fifth Ave. pictured here as it looked in a "Picturesque Oakland" publication of 1889. The Oakland, Brookline and Fruitvale R.R.better known at "Tubbs Line"- was one of first horsecar lines, built to get patronsfrom the railroad depot at 7th and Broadway to the hotel, for fare of 10 cents.

Transit Veterans Retire from DistrictJohn F. Ruggles, cleaning foreman at

the Emeryville division and a bus operator when the "Reet" consisted of fourmotor coaches, retired on March l.

On his last day of service, Ruggles wasguest of honor at a luncheon hosted bylvlaintenance Manager Brooks Rice.A former motorman and coach operator, Ruggles, 68, entered service in 1922,

became a coach cleaner in 1932 an d for eman in 1942. He lives at 476-B 42nd St.,Oakland.Also pensioned on March 1 was Lonnie L. Barker, 65, of 3802 Shafter Ave .,Oakland. He went to work in 1935 as aconductor at Western division an d became a coach operator at the Emeryvilledivision in 1942. .

, ri-City Area Considers Bus Service(Continued from Page 1)

Subsequent studies would be requiredto determine service needs, operatingcosts and revenues, route locations andwhether the h'i-city area would annex tothe existing operating zone of the transitdistrict or set up a second special servicezone for the Washington township area,within the overall AC district. Presenttax levy in the existing AC Transit operating zone is 2.9 per $100 of assessedvaluation .

There must be mutual agreement between the cities and the district that the8

service is desired before formal legal details and engineering studies can be undertaken, it was pointed out .AC Board President William J. Bettencourt noted:

"The district is taking all steps possibleto meet the many transportation needsof East Bay residents. If it is determinedthere is a need fo r additional publictransportation in the Washington Township area, we will be glad to offer our fu llcooperation in helping the cities decidehow these needs can best be met."

Crowds Turn Out for Start of Line 93A rain storm dampened everything bu t

the enthusiasm of San Lorenzo and SanLeandro residents, who turned ou t by thehundreds this month to ride free on ACTra nsit's newest bus service, Line 93-Hesperian Blvd.

Because of the crowds, extra buseswere called into service in mid-afternoonand all rolled with full loads, plus somestandees.

Despite the rain, it appeared thateverybody wanted to try the bus. Transitinspectors found the riders includedmothers shepherding their youngstersaboard for their first ride; shoppers interested in finding out how long it took toreach shopping centers; school studentstaking advantage of the courtesy ridesoffered on opening day, and a surprisinglarge number of me n workers, using thebus for the first time instead of their car.

Welcome to Line 93 was extendedofficially during brief inaugural ceremonies at the Bay Fair Shopping Center, withSan Leandro Mayor Jack Maltester; Ar-

thur Pedemonte, president of the BayFair Merchants Association; John G.Blaisdell, president of the San LeandroChamber of Commerce, and William J.Bettencourt, president 0 f AC Transitdirectors, taking part.Mrs. George Smith of 16158 Via Walter, San Lorenzo, first passenger to arrive during the ceremonies, was presented with a transit token holder and a

Getting off to a healthy start, Line 93-Hesperian Blvd. more than doubled its revenueduring the first week of operation. Passengerrevenue not only showed a daily increase, buttook a jump on Saturday, indicating an un expected demand for Saturday service.

corsage. At a luncheon following at BayFair, Bettencourt pointed out that thedistrict is no t only fulfilling the promisesmade for better .service, bu t is forgingahead far beyond those promises withnew ideas and improvements.

The San Leandro chamber and BayFair merchants sponsored the free ridesand joined in launching the service.

NEW LINE-Welcoming committee greets Mrs. Geo rge Smith, San Lorenzo housewife, with token holder and corsage on her arrival at Bay Fair shopping centerduring inaugural ceremonies for AC Transit's new Line 93 . Left to right: William J.Bettencourt, district president; John Blaisdell, president of San Leandro Chamberof Commerce; San Leandro Mayor Jack Maltester; Mrs. Smith and Art Pedemonte,president of Bay Fair Merchants Association.


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AC / transit PASSENGER REVENUE ... COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEAR$1 ,040,000 r--.,....-..,.--r--.,....--,---r---..,--....,..--r---...,.---.$1 ,020,000 I - -- ! -

1,000,000 1 I - - - - - : ~ - - t ~ - + - _ - - t _ - + - - j f _ - _ h ' _ - - + ~ l . . I ~ _ _ _ 1

980,000 t I - 1 t - ~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ I - I - - J I ; t = : : : : t = = : t J f 1 960,000 l + - j J J ~ - + - - - ~ - J f - ~ = = t = = : r - I - - J 940,000 1 - - l - - - f - t - - - 2 l I I ~ - _ - - + - ~ - - - . t .. . - ! ! ! ! " " = ~ - ~ ~ # - - I

920,000 r i t J " I - - - ~ ~ T - - - J ~ : - ~ ; : = : : = = ~ - - - - t 900,000 + - - + - - - + - + ~ ' - - l - - ~ + = = + = = : : t - - I 880,000

860,000 ....._-A-_--J.__ "-_.....L.__ . l . . - _ . . . . I . . _ ~ ' _ _ _ . . . J . . _ . . . . J . _ _ J...._..JJAN . FEB. MAR . APR . MAY JUNE JULY AUG.

Passenger Gains Continue;Income Fails to Meet CostsAC Transit carried 4,351,000 passengers in January,

an increase of 380,000 riders over the same month ayear ago.The 9.6 per cent passenger gain was reported by

John F . Larson, treasurer-controller, who also disclosedthat income for the month amounted to $1,063,000, anincrease of $97,700 or 9.9 per cent.Receipts covered operations and maintenance expenses, plus $33,880 toward retirement of bonded debt.However, income was approximately $122,000 short offully providing amortization of property purchasedfrom Key System Transit Lines, depreciation of newequipment and service of bonded debt.

Operating and maintenance expenses of $1,029,000were an increase of $127,800 over January a year ago,due to greater operating mileage, amounting to 223,371for the month, plus increased wages, amounting to 5.5per cent, and changes in fringe benefits.10

SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.

JANUARYPASSENGERSPercentage ChangeFrom Previous Year

.. O%_-----_- J _ _ - --- 6% 1 - -__-:-4% 1 --__-L 2% 1 --__- nb 1- -_____ -- 1- 4% 1 --_____ ....

_ ACTRANSIT_ U. S. TRANSIT INDUSTRY

N 1 f I a ~ i l e ~ 4 t man"Track' Walker Outlasts Trains and Rails;Trades Hiking Shoes lor Pickup Truck

The "walkingest" man who ever workedfor the Key System has stopped hikingand learned to drive a pick-up truck-butno t because he's tired.

They took the rails away and the trains,so Louis A. Cooper, 67, hung up hiswalking shoes as the last and heartiest ofa now almost forgotten breed of transportation men-the track walker.

Fo r 27Jf years, Cooper walked the rails,a familiar figure with his wrench over hisshoulder, toting a broom, spike maul andoil can.He walked the old Ferry pier, starting

at Hollis St. and over the fill, the trestleand the pier itself, inspecting every inchof rail, making minor repairs when necessary, greasing the curves, sweeping outwaiting rooms.

He walked track all over the East Bay,bu t most memorable-and miserable-ofall, Cooper walked th e Bay Bridge fromthe day the first train ran on Jan. 15,1939 until the last train crossed the spanin April, 1958.

And he'd probably still be walking ifbuses hadn't replaced the trains. As it is ,he now drives "in style" as a buildingmaintenance worker for AC Transitwith no plans of retiring from 40 yearsof service.

It was always cold on the bridge, always windy, frequently dangerous.His closest squeak, however, came on

the Key pier. His wrench slipped ingrease and hit the third rail, to be instantly burned apart. He fell back, missing the rail, bu t engulfed in fire. Hiswork clothes were heavy and he was ableto beat out the sparks.

Unofficial "mayor" of South Berkeleyhe's lived at 2790 Grant St. since 1928-Cooper went to work on the extra gang

Louis A. Cooper-He walked the rails.

for Key System early in 1922. He waspromoted to track walking on Jan. 1,1931, kept at it until 1958. He's nevereven been sick, except for a cold backin 1923.Veteran of Navy service in World WarI, Cooper is active in veterans affairs andfor years, took a "busman's holiday"drilling and blowing a bugle on off hours,after walking miles of track in the daytime."It's all the same gait and rhythmshoulders back and chest out. That wayyou never get tired."

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At an adjourned regular meeting Feb-ruary 28, 1962, the Board of Directors: Approved replacement of obsoleteequipment by purchase of 10 new autosfor AC supervisors and two trucks at anestimated cost of $24,000 on motion ofDirector Coburn.

Named Kenneth F. Hensel actingGeneral Manager, and terminated consulting services of labor, accounting andengineering advisors, on motion of Director Berk. Approved payment of accumulatedvacation and expense credits due and owing the late General Manager, on motionof Director McDonnell.

Increased maximum authorizationfor number of bus operators to 1,000, onmotion of Director Warren . Authorized purchase of office furni

ture and other facilities from TransitCasualty Company at a cost of $3,125,on motion of Director McDonnell. Authorized sale of 3,630,000 surplustokens formerly belonging to Key System

Transit Lines at a scrap value of $2,370,on motion of Director Barber.

Approved sale of two gasoline-powered buses to Gray Line, Inc., for a totalof $5,000, on motion of Director Coburn.At the regular meeting March 14, 1962,

the Board of Directors: Voted to invite representatives of

TRANSIT TIMESAlameda-Contra Costa Transit District1106 Broadway

Oakland 7, CaliforniaReturn Requested

TRANSIT TIMESPublished monthly by the

ALAMEDA-CONTRA TRANSIT DISTRICT11

BOARD OF DIRECTORSWM. J. BETTENCOURT . PresidentWard IVROBERT M. COPELAND . . . Vice PresidentDirector at LargeROBERT K. BARBER . . Director at LargeWILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. Ward IWILLIAM E. BERK Ward IIJOHN McDONNELL Ward II IE. GUY WARREN . Ward V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSROBERT E. NISBETJOHN F. LARSON .GEORGE M. TAYlOR. .

. AttorneyTreasurer--ControllerSecretary

major Bay Area transit companies to develop a liaison organization concernedwith improving coordination of the area'stransit operation, on motion of DirectorCoburn.

Voted against reduction in fares forsenior citizens at this time, on motionof Director Coburn. Authorized inspection tour by a max

imum of four directors and a staff representative concerning promotion projectsto increase transit patronage in the citiesof Philadelphia, Cleveland, Cincinn

transit times volume 4, number 11

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