Dumbarton Fare and Service Hearings

Press Releases
07/11/2002

New fares and rates proposed for Line DB-Dumbarton Express bus service, and a range of possible service reductions linked to various proposed fare levels, will be the subject of public hearings, July 24 in Palo Alto and July 25 in Union City.

Dumbarton Express service is the weekday bus route that links East and West Bay transit centers and serves major Palo Alto and Menlo Park employment centers. The line is operated by a consortium of public transit agencies that are experiencing revenue shortfalls – and therefore, seeking to increase fare revenues – due to the nation’s current economic doldrums. This consortium consists of AC Transit. BART, SamTrans, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Union City Transit.

The consortium is considering a range of proposals that include keeping rates at their current levels, which could require a 25 percent reduction in service, to increasing cash fares and pass prices to sufficiently maintain current service levels.

Retaining the current $2 adult cash TransBay fare, (and $1 discount fare for youth, seniors, and riders with certified disabilities), would cause a 25 percent service reduction – equal to reducing the scheduled interval between buses from 15 to 20 minutes during commute hours, and from 60 to 90 minutes midday.

A proposal to boost the cash TransBay fare to $3 for adults (and a $1.50 discounted fare) would require a 15 percent service reduction – retaining service at today’s 15-minute frequency but shortening the span of service each morning and afternoon. Increasing the adult fare to $3.50 ($1.75 for other categories) would trigger a 10 percent service reduction – which means fewer trips, but would still provide better service than a 15 percent service cut.

Select this link for summarized fare information.

Public Hearings

• 7:00pm Wednesday, July 24, in the Palo Alto City Council’s conference room, at 250 Hamilton Avenue in Palo Alto
• 7:00pm Thursday, July 25, in the Union City Council Chambers, at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road in Union City

Submit written comments before the public hearing; send letters, facsimiles or e-mail no later than 5:00pm Tuesday, July 23, to be considered during the public hearing.

Address written comments to AC Transit, Capital Planning and Grants Administration Department, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612; by facsimile to 510 891-7139; or by e-mail to cgoodeno@actransit.org

Select this link for more detailed hearing information.