Rapid Line Decreases Running Time by 17 Percent

News Articles
07/06/2004

When the San Pablo Rapid launched last June, AC Transit didn’t know that it was to become one of its most successful lines. But it has. It’s also gained national attention as a model for how to implement an urban Rapid bus line.

Riders along San Pablo Ave. enjoy how the signature Rapid bus, with its bright red logo and clearly marked stops spaced a half of a mile apart, runs from 6am to 8pm, every 12 minutes. This translates into improved operating speeds and running times.

Jon Twichell, AC Transit Manager of Capital Project Implementation said, “In the last five to 10 years, there’s been an overall degradation in average speed per bus trip. Companies require more buses to stay on schedule. The Rapid has helped us to become more competitive.”

After one year of operation, the Rapid has not only provided an impressive increase in ridership over the 72L (limited-stop service), but it has also managed to increase ridership along the corridor at a time when AC Transit’s overall ridership had declined. The 72R has generated dramatic ridership increases. According to the report, ridership has been increased by nearly 66 percent (page 4).

Nelson Nygaard, Consulting Associates, based in San Francisco, recently completed Phase Two of system performance overview for AC Transit of the Rapid Line. In March 2004, surveyors rode almost every single weekday run along San Pablo Avenue and compared totals of every passenger who got on and off the bus at each stop, as well as continuing loads. They found that after less than a year, the onboard data collection indicates that the 72R has reduced overall running times by 17 percent. Read their report.

The cities of Austin, Texas and Toronto, Canada recently visited Oakland, California to see the new Rapid line in operation and to speak with staff about implementing a similar strategy in their own areas.