Transbay Taskforce Hears From Caltrans

News Articles
07/13/2005

At the July Transbay Taskforce meeting, staff from Caltrans came to discuss conditions at the Transbay Terminal. Transportation planners Becky Frank,  David Cortez, and Facilities Maintenance Branch Chief Damien Harris outlined the history of Caltrans’ involvement with the terminal  and their role as landlord of the facility.

They explained that Caltrans would be turning over control of the site to the Transbay Joint Powers Authority once construction on the new terminal has begun. In the meantime, though, Caltrans has cut their budget for terminal maintenance since the building will eventually be torn down.  This had already become evident to most Transbay riders by the worsening of conditions in and around the terminal.

The 15 Transbay riders in attendance shared their concerns on a wide range of issues, including poor lighting, vandalism, pigeon droppings, the smell of urine, homeless people blocking entryways, aggressive panhandling, and the lack of a security presence.  Emails were read from riders who couldn’t attend concerning the broken clock at the entrance of the terminal, the lack of signs and enforcement of the no-smoking rules, and the condition (and lack) of the benches on the bus deck.

The Caltrans staff committed to do what they could to improve conditions with the funding they have available.  They scheduled a follow up meeting and tour of the facility with Aram Boyd, AC Transit liaison to the Transbay Taskforce, for later in the month.  They also agreed to clarify the security responsibilities of CHP and the terminal security staff, research the possibility of improved lighting,  and provide phone numbers riders may use to report maintenance or security issues.

If you’d like to report any problems with terminal maintenance or security, please use the numbers listed below. If you have any other comments or questions on this issue, please contact Aram Boyd at aboyd@actransit.org or (510) 891-4876.

Transbay Terminal Security Office (415) 904-5990

Caltrans Facilities Management Dept. (510) 286-5083.