Public Hearing Set for Proposed Service Changes in Central and South Alameda County
News Articles
05/20/2013
en español (Spanish) or PDF en español
On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, AC Transit’s Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the following two items:
- Proposed Service Restructuring Plan for Central and South Alameda County
- Previously Implemented Service Changes in Downtown Hayward
The environmental document for the Restructuring Plan (Item #1) may also be available for public comment at this hearing.
The public is invited to submit comments on one or both of these items before or at the hearing.
Additionally, there will be a community meeting the week prior to the public hearing, on Tuesday, May 14. AC Transit Planning staff will present the Plan and answer questions, and attendees will be able to submit written feedback on the Plan. Public comment received at the community meeting will be provided to the AC Transit Board for consideration at the May 22nd public hearing.
Following are details of the public hearing and community meeting.
Public Hearing
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
5:00 p.m.
Fremont City Hall
Council Chambers
3300 Capitol Avenue, Building A
Fremont
Community Meeting
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5:00-7:00 p.m.
California School for the Blind
500 Walnut Avenue
Fremont
Proposed Service Restructuring Plan for Central and South Alameda County
Background
During the recent economic downturn, AC Transit was forced to make significant service cutbacks in central and south Alameda County. As a result, many lines in this area run infrequently, some routes are confusing, and ridership is low along certain lines and line segments.
The proposed Plan reallocates funding and overall service hours with the goals of improving service and increasing ridership.
AC Transit staff presented a draft Plan to the Board of Directors in December 2012. In early 2013, the Plan was redrafted using feedback from the affected cities and presented to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) for Special District 2 (Fremont and Newark). The Plan was then further revised in response to the comments from the TAC and PAC.
Proposed Changes
Specific line changes are detailed in the table below and feature the following improvements:
- Conversion of confusing circular routes to linear routes.
- Creation of consistent service hours and route networks across days, nights, and weekends.
- New and expanded lines, including service to the Silliman Center and Pacific Research Center, and improved service between the Union City and Fremont BART stations.
- Increased frequency and service hours on a number of lines.
- Elimination of “shopper shuttles” (line 300 series) and other lines and line segments that have low ridership and/or confusing route patterns. (Most service eliminations would be covered by other restructured or new lines.)
Line | Description of Change | Hours of Operation (weekday) | Frequency (weekday) | Hours of Operation (weekend) | Frequency (weekday) |
68 | Discontinued due to low ridership. Service covered partially by expanded weekday Line 85. | – | – | – | – |
85 | Weekday line extended north to Foothill Sq. along E. 14th St. and Dutton Ave., and south to Union Landing via Tennyson Rd., Tampa Ave., Folsom Ave., Ruus Rd., Ruus Ln., Stratford Rd., Industrial Pkwy., Huntwood Ave., Whipple Rd., and Dyer St. Weekend service will retain the original 85 routing. | 5:30am–9pm | 60 | 7:30am–8:30pm | 60 |
99 | Increased frequency of buses from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes on weekdays before 7pm, and from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes after 7pm and on weekends. | 5:30am–12 midnight | 20/30 | 6am–12 midnight | 30 |
200 | New daily line with 30-minute frequency serving shopping centers (Four Corners shopping area, NewPark Mall, Fremont Hub, and Fremont Plaza); residential areas (along Decoto Rd. and Mowry Ave.); transit hubs (Union City BART, Ardenwood Park & Ride, and Fremont BART); and work centers on weekdays (Pacific Research Center). Line will run until 11pm, replacing Line 333 Flexbus with fixed-route service. | 6am–11pm | 30 | 7am–7pm | 30 |
212 | Daily line with 30-minute frequency rerouted to more directly serve shopping centers including Fremont Plaza, Pacific Commons, and NewPark Mall. Service to Silliman Community Activity Center added. Service to Lam Research Park and along Fremont Blvd. between S. Grimmer Blvd. and W. Warren Ave. replaced by Line 215. | 6am–11pm | 30 | 7am–7pm | 30 |
215 | Weekday service rerouted to serve recreational (Fremont Central Park) and industrial areas (along Osgood Rd., Fremont Blvd., and Kato Rd.) as well as medical centers along Paseo Padre Pkwy. In conjunction with Line 239, Line 215 will improve access to the Fremont Senior Center. The route will also provide commute-direction service to Lam Research Park. | 6am–8pm | 45 | – | – |
216 | Daily line rerouted to operate along Niles and Stevenson boulevards to Union City and Fremont BART stations, Ohlone College Newark Campus, and NewPark Mall. Service along Cedar Blvd. replaced by new Line 200. | 6am–8pm | 60 | 7am–7pm | 60 |
232 | There are no route changes. The hours of operation shift slightly. | 6am–8pm | 60 | 7am–7pm | 60 |
242 | Loop discontinued. Service along Mowry Ave. replaced by new Line 200 and service along Stevenson Blvd. covered by rerouted Line 216. | – | – | – | – |
251 | Loop route converted to linear route with service between Fremont BART and NewPark Mall. Service along Mowry Ave. replaced by new Line 200. Service in Thornton Ave./Willow St./Enterprise Dr. area replaced by Line 275. | 6am–8pm | 60 | 7am–7pm | 60 |
264 | Line discontinued. All segments to be covered by lines 200, 232, and 251. | – | – | – | – |
275 | Loop route converted to linear route from Union City BART to Lido Faire Shopping Center with 45-minute frequency. Direct service to Newark Senior Center added. Service along Decoto Rd. replaced by new Line 200. | 6am–8pm | 45 | – | – |
314/356 | Lines discontinued due to low ridership. Underlying service available on lines 21, 45, 73, and 98. | – | – | – | – |
332 | Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by two daily lines. Service along Alvarado-Niles Rd./Niles Blvd. replaced by daily Line 216. Service along Paseo Padre Pkwy., Newark Blvd., and Cedar Blvd. replaced by daily Line 232. | – | – | – | – |
333 | Low-ridership Flexbus service replaced by new Line 200 fixed-route service running until 11pm at 30-minute frequency. | – | – | – | – |
345 | Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by two daily lines. Line 200 will provide service along Decoto Rd., Newark Blvd., Cedar Blvd., and Mowry Ave. Line 232 will replace service along Mission Blvd. and Paseo Padre Pkwy. | – | – | – | – |
350 | Weekend-only line discontinued and replaced by more frequent daily Line 212 | – | – | – | – |
391 | Discontinued due to low ridership. Underlying service available on lines 22, 97, and 85. | – | – | – | – |
DA | Transbay line discontinued due to low ridership. | – | – | – | – |
M | All-day transbay line changed to peak-only service due to low ridership. Service to Oracle will be eliminated due to low ridership. | 6:27am–9:27am; 2:49pm–6:34pm | 45 (peaks only) | – | – |
Click here to view a map of the proposed weekday service changes in Newark and Fremont. And click here to view a map of our current service in Newark and Fremont.
Passenger Impact
The impact of this Plan on passengers should be relatively small and would be greatly outweighed by the Plan’s benefits. If approved, the proposed changes would result in more convenient, more frequent, and more predictable local service for most passengers. The changes will also create opportunities for ridership growth in new service areas.
Board Decision
The Board of Directors will not make a decision about the Restructuring Plan until the required environmental document is completed and approved. The environmental review is currently in process, but it is unlikely that it will be ready for public comment by May 22. In this case, a separate hearing will be held for the environmental document, and the Board will make a decision about the Plan at a later date, after the environmental document is approved. It is unlikely that the service changes proposed in the Plan would go into effect until late 2013.
Previously Implemented Service Changes in Downtown Hayward
Background
As part of the City of Hayward’s Route 238 Mission Corridor Improvement Project, AC Transit was required to re-route its service along several new streets due to the conversion of parts of Mission Blvd. and Foothill Blvd. (between A and Jackson streets) to one-way traffic. The new service went into effect on March 15, 2013. Its implementation was classified as an emergency due to the city’s decision to advance the project, and as a result, AC Transit was not able to conduct a public hearing prior to the change. The City of Hayward provided notification of the new service to properties and businesses along the affected segments.
Summary of Changes
Effective March 15, 2013, AC Transit lines 48, 93, 99, 801, and 22 began operating on the following new street segments:
- Fletcher Ln. between Mission Blvd. and Watkins St., heading northbound only
- Watkins St. between Fletcher Ln. and D St., heading northbound only
- A St. between Foothill Blvd. and Mission St., heading westbound only
- Main St. between C St. and A St., heading northbound only
Click here for details about the previously implemented service changes in downtown Hayward.
How to Comment
Individuals, organizations, and agencies may submit comments on the proposed changes by:
- Submitting written comments at the May 14 community meeting
- Speaking or submitting written comments at the May 22 public hearing
- Submitting written comments by 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 20
- by mail to AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
- by fax to (510) 891-7157
- by email to planning@actransit.org
- Leaving comments in a voicemail message by 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 20 at (510) 891-7201 (English); (510) 891-7291 (Spanish); or (510) 891-7292 (Chinese).
Getting to the May 14 Community Meeting
AC Transit Line 217 stops at Walnut Circle on the California School for the Blind campus. AC Transit Line 215 stops at the intersection of Walnut Ave. and Gallaudet Dr. From this intersection, cross Gallaudet Dr. and continue along Walnut Ave. to the first path on the right, which leads to Walnut Circle. Both lines 215 and 217 stop at the Fremont BART station.
Getting to the May 22 Public Hearing
AC Transit lines 212 and 216 stop at the intersection of Mowry Ave. and Paseo Padre Pkwy., about one block from Fremont City Hall. The City Hall is about a 10-minute walk from the Fremont BART station.
For trip-planning assistance, visit www.511.org or call 511.
Translation Services
Sign language and non-English language interpreters can be provided, if needed. Please contact the AC Transit District Secretary’s Office at (510) 891-7201 by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 10 to make arrangements for translation at the May 14 community meeting, and by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 16 to request an interpreter for the public hearing on May 22. For TDD for hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, and specify (510) 891-4700.