transit times volume 9, number 10

8/8/2019 Transit Times Volume 9, Number 10

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Vo l. 9, No. 10 OAKLAND, FEBRUARY, 1967

Joint engineering study on bay areaTransit coordination in final stageAC Transit's customers - the 200,-

000 pas sengers who ride with the District each day - may get their firstinkling in the next month or two onhow their bus service will dovetailwith the rapid transit system.The complex engineering study onhow exi sting East Bay and San Francisco services can be coordinated withthe new rapid transit now is in ibfinal stages. With the "leg work" finished, engineers are preparing finalreports before concluding their study.Interpretation of their findings andthe exact pattern of service that willevolve may be months in the future -but the massive job of planning apractical method of tying togetherexisting surface transportation with therail system nevertheless is approaching completion.Two Year ProjectFor nearly two years, the NorthernCalifornia Demonstration Project hasbeen concerned with studying thecoordination of surface and rail networks. AC Transit, Bay Area RapidTransit District and the San FranciscoPublic Utilities Commission have paidthe costs of the $792,500 study, withthe aid of Federal funds. Top engineers, experts in a variety of fields -and thousands of passengers on bothsides of the Bay - have participatedin the fact-finding.

Increase in transbayTravel keeps DistrictRiding out in front

Steady growth on transbay bus linesenabled AC Transit to continue its "upand up" riding trend during the 1966calendar year.District buses carried 13,621,609transbay passengers during the year, anincrease of 7.13 per cent over the12,715,438 who rode in 1965.The latest total is a boost of 41.7 percent over the 9,617,500 passengers whorode on Bay Bridge buses in 1960 whenthe District commenced service.The number of passengers carried onEast Bay lines showed a decrease of1.04 per cent during 1966, however. TheEast Bay rider count was 38,239,033,compared to estimates of 38,641,512 for1965.

Total patronage, excluding charterbus passengers, hit 51,860,642, toppingthe previous year's tally by 0.98 per centand representing an overall gain since1960 of 10 per cent.With "only" the detailed final re

ports to be completed, the three transitagencies can expect the intricate"package" of findings by mid-spring.

Recommendations then will be studied by the agencies involved and afinal service pattern devised for thehundreds of thousands of transit riders.


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This coyote would rather ride thanWalk-finds 'Mo' a friendly driverAlthough bus drivers more usuallyare he r business, Mrs. C. L. Modjeski,

chief clerk at AC Transit's EmeryvilleDivision, could add a ne w categorythis month - a friendly coyote."Mo" was home for lunch at 448McAuley St., Oakland, when neighbors told he r a coyote was in front.

After years of working with operators, "Mo" wa s not about to beshook by any "little bitty thing withfour legs an d a bushy tail."

" I t was a coyote, all right, bu t itlooked hungry, so I got ou t some haman d started to feed it," she explained .While "Mo" made friends with the

coyote, a neighbor called the pound -mistakenly getting Alameda. She wasassured there "hasn't been a coyote inthese parts for years."

From he r description, came addedcertainty:

"Lady, that's a collie!""Mo" not only knew a coyote when

sh e saw one, bu t by this time she knewone who liked to eat, an d be petted.

She decided to drive the animal tothe police station, on theory it was alost pe t . Th e coyote willingly jumpedinto th e ca r an d "Mo" drove off, withthe coyote leaning on he r shoulderand drooling happily.They were enjoying this rapportwhen "Mo" spotted Police Officer

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WINDOW SEAT-Mrs. G. L.Modjeski, "lady boss" atEmeryville Division, gives alift to friendly coyote, Raja,who thinks he's "a people."

Charles Heidler in a patrol car. Heidler, who might have been surprised,wasn't, He knew the coyote.

"Mo" an d he r passenger - who bythis time ha d jumped in the front seat,followed the officer to a house at 44861st St. At this point, the coyotebalked. His folks weren't home andhe didn't want to pu t his head backinto the collar that ordinarily chainshi m to the porch.

Instead, he wanted to hold OfficerHeidler's hand in his mouth."Mo" left th e officer with some hamfor a substitute, returned to workwith a unique excuse for being late.

Heidler, deciding "discretion wa sth e better part of valor," went to aneighbor's house to phone.

At the neighbor's invitation, thecoyote was coaxed inside until hisowner could be summoned from University of California.

Th e coyote, Raja, ll-months old,was bottle-raised by John Kelley, sociologist, an d his wife, Sarita. Carriedin a pocket to the campus for severalmonths, he is quite intelligent.

He even ran through the whole bi tagain with "Mo" for a Transit Timesphotographer - getting in some ne wlicks."H e loves everybody," according toKelley. "H e thinks he's a people."

LONG ON FASHION - The District's articu'lated bus, the "Freeway Train," is used asbackground for this two-page fashion spread in the women's section of the OaklandTribune - one of several features highlighted by the newspaper in connection with abenefit symphony concert.Freeway Train debutsIn newspaper fashions

Th e District's articulated bus, the"Freeway Train," has acquired addedglamor after appearing as a highfashion background for a two-pagespread in the women's section of theOakland Tribune.

A tricky layout featured the bus asbackdrop for models, dressed in fashions appropriate for attending a concert given by the Oakland SymphonyOrchestra, for benefit of the OaklandNational Repertory Theater.

A photograph of the bus was spreadacross two pages, and cut-outs of themodels posed along the side and ontop. To further tie-in AC Transit withthe benefit concert, fashion editorshad one of the models holding a District timetable. Care was taken topose the models so th e District emblem and nanie were distinguishable.

Publicity on society pages also featured use of chartered bus service bysocialites and celebrities to ridedirect to doors of the Oakland Coliseum, stressing that this has becomethe "in" wa y of "junketing" to different events.

Assurance sought fromContra Costa CountyIn annexation studyBefore AC Transit gives any exten-

sive study to annexing all of ContraCosta County into its service area,Directors want assurance from countyan d city governments that they generally favor affiliation with the district.

Th e Board of Directors made thisclear this month in reply to a resolution from the Contra Costa CountyBoard of Supervisors, requesting anarea-wide annexation study.

Th e Supervisors asked AC Transitto make a study into feasibility ofextending boundaries to annex theentire county - with provision thatthe study be made at no cost to ContraCosta County.

Directors answered they wouldwant to ascertain that governmentsinvolved generally are in favor ofannexation - especially since a largepart of the county once was in theDistrict an d later withdrew.

I f here is agreement between citiesan d county governments on annexation, then steps could be taken toexplore possibilities of conducting afeasibility study, Directors said.

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DIRECTORS TAKE OFFICE: Superior judge William j. McGuiness administers oathof office to re-elected directors , from left, john L. McDonnell of Oakland, new boardpresident; William]. Bettencourt of San Leandro; Col. Robert M. Copeland of Kensington, and E. Guy Warren of Hayward.Richmond division remodeling plannedTo accommodate BART right-of-way

Th e District took steps this monthto maintain the Richmond Division atits present location, relocating facilities as necessary to clear a strip oflandrequired by Bay Area Rapid Transitfor a rail right-of-way.General Manager K. F. Hensel wa sauthorized by th e Board of Directorsto prepare preliminary plans an ddevelop costs for th e modificationproject, which will include both relocation an d ne w construction.Th e District plans to remodel existing buildings to provide locker roomsan d washroom facilities for mechanicalemployees an d office space for the

maintenance department.The present wash rack and steamcleaner will be relocated, an d underground facilities an d lighting standardswill be moved. New construction willinclude tire storage facilities adjacentto existing building; a fuel island an d ane w entrance gate on 21st St.Th e cleared strip of land, to beturned over to BARTD by Oct. 1,fronts on the Southern Pacific rightof-way and consists of a strip 1,000feet long an d 37 feet wide, totaling34,487 square feet. Th e division,home base for 130 buses, now includes269,755 square feet .

New employees welcomed to AC TransitNe w District workers include:

General OfficeAccounting : Bernice Pate, of Rich

mond, junior clerk.Emeryville Division

Bus Operators : G. F. Brown, SanPablo; F. L. Collins, Jr., Pleasant Hill;R. E. Dunigan, Clayton.Maintenance : James T. Pierce, EISobrante, service employee.4

Richmond DivisionBus Operators: G. T. Gurschke of

San Pablo; J. E. Woolsey, Vallejo; R. C.Blanson an d H. D. Blackmon, both ofOakland; J. A. Yount, Hodeo.

Seminary Divi.'iionBus Op erators: W. R. Rhine, Oak

land ; Gokway Lum, San Leandro; S. J.Galioto, Hayward; E. J. Wales, Livermore.

7 ~ t l I Z e ~ This driver collects for young rider

Bus operator Victor Jacobsen, 64,added some rare "paper" this month tothe transfer collection of a young girl.He also added an example of thoughtfulness to the District's collection ofdriver courtesies.Jacobsen learned about the hobbyof Debbie Kahane, nearly 14, from he rmother, a regular passenger on his

Line K bus. Debbie started collectingtransfers tw o years ago - by symbolan d in sequence - after riding withAC Transit to school.

Jacobsen, of 5921 Merriewood Dr.,Oakland, had his own souvenir - aTreasure Island transfer punched in1939, when he was driving to theGolden Gate International Exposition. On e day on the bus he gave itto the mother to pass along to Debbie."I thought it would mean more tothe little girl than to me."

When Mrs. Sidney Kahane, of lO39Rose Ave., Oakland, reported Debbie's excitement over the gift:, Jacobse n ha d another thought.He wrote to Transit Times, askingif a line transfer from the Key Systemtrains could be located an d sent to thegirl for he r collection.A check was made of veteran workers and pensioners. All could remembe r train transfers, bu t nobody hadany.A sample of a tranfer issued in 1956for train lines A, B, C, E, an d F finallywas located in a record book in the

Wages, taxes go upWages paid to 1,915 District em ployees in 1966 totaled $11,166,581,an increase of 6.56 per cent over the

amount paid to 1,904 workers in 1965.John F. Larson reported the amountof income tax withheld at $1,357,639.Social security tax withheld totaled$387,373 .

TRANSFER, PLEASE - Bus operator Victor jacobsen adds two "historical" transfers to the collection of Debbie Kahane.scheduling department - the onlyduplicate that could be spared.

And Jacobsen's request could befilled.He gave the orange bi t of paper tothe girl at he r home. For Debbie,the addition was "just great - reallygreat."For her parents, refugees from Ge rmany - an d : in he r father ' s case - asurvivor of four years in a concentration camp - the gesture seemed almost unbelievable.But in keeping, somehow, with anunusual daughter who "lives in thelibrary/' is a "straight A" student atPiedmont High, loves to write, has akeen interest in American history andbelieves that everything - even arecord of a bus trip - is "just realexciting."

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AC / transit PASSENGER REVENUE ... COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEAR

1,140,000

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-1966- 1965

1964

ti: :> uu 0 ww 0 Z ClenPassenger revenue showed a slight increase in December, totaling $1,147,079,up $18,943 or 1.68 per cent over revenue tallied the same month a year ago.The number o f passengers carried totaled 4,275,618, a decrease of 4.03 per

cent below a year ago. Tr ansbay lines showed a passenger decrease for the firsttime during the year, dropping 0.13 per cent, while East Bay lines were down5.35 per cent. Transbay commute book sales also were down, with a total of$170,744, a decrease of 7.2 per cent below sales in December, 1965.The District operated 1,936,305 miles of service, a decrease of 38,466 milesor 1.95 per cent compared to year-ago mileage of 1,974,771 . Operational costsreached $1,255,980, up $60,431 or 5.05 per cent. Total income of $1,449,766was sufficient to cover operational costs, depreciation and bond debt requirements.The transit industry nationally indicated a riding decrease of 2.37 per cent.

Committee chairmen named fo r yearAfter formal board approval of an chairman of the committee on adver

increase in the number of standing tising an d public relations.committees from three to five, newly- Director Ray H. Rinehart will reelected president John L. McDonnell main as chairman of th e finance commade the following appointments: mittee; Director William H. Coburn,

Director William J. Bettencourt will Jr., will head the committee onhead the Dis tr i({s project develop- personneL an d Director E. Gu y Warment committee, while Director ren, th e committee on legislation an dRobert M. Copeland will serve as land.6

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Life of leisure beckons old-timersAfter four months at the top of the

seniority list, V. A. Ruckman, 66, hasgiven up his rank as "longest - in service" bus driver to join other veterans in retirement.

Ruckman, of 4514 Webster St., Oakland, shifted gears for the last timethis month on the Transbay Piedmontline, taking hi s pension effectiveMarch 1. He started as a street carconductor in 1924 an d has been driving buses since March, 1925.

After chugging on the Chabot Rd .an d Excelsior Ave . lines, Ruckmanhelped inaugurate bus service onTelegraph Ave . in 1927, later spent12 years driving the Richmond line.In retirement, he's considering a"far out" occupation - commercialfishing.

With hi s retirement March 1, A. H.Hess, 65, an d his wife, Geneva, along-time Key System cashier, will b efreed for more dedicated activities inconnection with Mormon templesthroughout the West .

Hess was a missionary for th echurch in Switzerland an d Germanybefore he went to work for th e KeySystem in 1938. Th e family home isat 5646 Ocean View Dr., Oakland.One of the "whistle blowers" onth e trains for a number of years, healso worked freight cars for th e Oakland Terminal Railway. He moved tobuses in 1958, ended up career onthe Broadway Terrace line.

E. I . Ryan, 1239 Park Ave., Alameda,forced by illness to en d his drivingcareer, retires effective March 1. Hewent to work as a driver in April, 1941,di d most of his rolling on Lines 51 an d18. He will divide his activities be tween rental property in Alameda an da vacation home at Clear Lake.

M. S. Hatten, 54, 7545 Bridgot Dr.,Rohnart Park, Calif., employed as abus driver in March, 1951, was retired Feb. 1 because of illness.

Adolph A. Meseke, 66, retiring atthe same time as his boss, T. P. McLean, thinks "Mac" can beat him atbowling, bu t no t at raising flowers.

He worked on th e trains as conductor an d motorman from 1945 until1958, spent most of his bus drivingtime on the Dutton line in San Le andro. Meseke plans to do his gardening at home, 9920 D St., Oakland,interspersed with some traveling.

Emil Scala, 65, of 1553 Alice St.,who, as business agent, representedmaintenance department workers inunion activities for more than 18 years,took hi s pension effective Feb. 1.

Scala spent 43 years in New Yorkbefore he came west an d went to workas a mechanic for th e Key System in1944. An avid reader, especially ofNational Geographic magazines, hehas keen interest - an d a long collection of facts - concerning the Northan d South Poles.A LOT OF MILEAGE - V . A. Ruckman,top man on the seniority list, turns in hisstock for the last time. He drove buses for41 years, started with a 16-passengerDodge.

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At an adjourned regular meetingJan. 25, the Board of Directors: Authorized District representativeto receive Fleet Owner MaintenanceAward March 30, on motion of Director Coburn. Adopted prescribed resolution regarding procedures to equalize property tax levy in Contra Costa Countyfor 1967-68 fiscal year beginning July1, on motion of Director Coburn.

Commended Director Coburn forhis two years as President of Boardof Directors, on motion of DirectorCopeland. Declared as surplus obsolete 1200model bus and authorized it s sale toBerkeley Police Department at a minimum of $100, on motion of DirectorCopeland.

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transit times volume 9, number 10

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