
Voters created the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in 1956 and subsequently approved a $16,500,000 bond issue in 1959 enabling the District to buy out the failing privately owned Key System Transit Lines. In October 1960, AC Transit's service began. The new District built up the bus fleet with 250 new "transit liner" buses, extended service into new neighborhoods, created an intercity express bus network, and increased Bay Bridge bus service. October 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of AC Transit bus service. In the half century that AC Transit has been in operation, the District has expanded its service area considerably, expanded the types of services it offers, and become a leader in the use of alternative fuels. As at its inception, AC Transit is continually looking forward for better ways to move people.
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| Pre-Launch Material | Fare Media | Marketing Materials | Planning and Scheduling |
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Transit Times began as a monthly newsletter in May 1958 to chronicle the "progress on transit planning for East Bay." Available to the public upon request, the newsletter introduced, informed, and engaged the general public in the formation of its new publicly owned transit system. Transit Times became a quarterly in the Fall of 1988 and eventually ceased publication in 1989. The digital collection available here is possible due to the generosity of collector David Chen, U.C. Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies Library, and the archives of the Western Railroad Museum in Suisun, CA.
For high-resolution PDFs of any or all issues of the Transit Times newsletter, please email your request to historian@actransit.org. Please indicate the issue(s) requested and a mailing address.
In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
| Volume 1, Number 1, May 1958 Monthly Newsletter to Tell Progress on Transit Planning for East Bay |
| Volume 1, Number 2, June 1958 Future Transit Needs Cited |
| Volume 1, Number 3, July 1958 Engineers Report on Transit Plan |
| Volume 1, Number 4, August 1958 Worthington Brings Wide Experience To District As first General Manager |
| Volume 1, Number 5, September 1958 New East Bay Transit Plan Ready |
| Volume 1, Number 6, October 1958 Mass Transit Plan Gaining Wide Acceptance in East Bay Counties |
| Volume 1, Number 7, November 1958 Reshaping Transit Program for New Bond Issue |
| Volume 1, Number 8, December 1958 Downtown Faces a Transit Crisis |
| Volume 1, Number 9, January 1959 East Bay Transit Ills Growing Worse |
| Volume 1, Number 10, February 1959 Public Invited to Help Redraft Transit Plan; New Legistlation Is Authorized |
| Volume 1, Number 11, March 1959 New Transit Bus of Advanced Design And Styling Soon to be in Production |
| Volume 1, Number 12, April 1959 Initial District Transit Operation Will Exclude Central Contra Costa County |
| Volume 2, Number 1, May 1959 Board Votes to Form Initial Operation Zone, Authorizes New Transit Study |
| Volume 2, Number 2, June 1959 Special Transit Bond Election Voted |
| Volume 2, Number 3, July 1959 Warning Against Apathy on Improving Public Transit |
| Volume 2, Number 4, August 1959 New East Bay Transit Plan Completed |
| Volume 2, Number 5, September 1959 East Bay To Vote on Transit Bonds Oct. 20; Citizens Committee Formed |
| Volume 2, Number 6, October 1959 Transit Plan Gains Wide Acceptance; East Bay to Vote On Program Oct. 20 |
| Volume 2, Number 7, November 1959 Voters Approve Transit Bond Issue; New Service Due to Start July 1 |
| Volume 2, Number 8, December 1959 District to Offer Jobs to Key System Personnel Except Executive Officials |
| Volume 2, Number 9, January 1960 Diesel Buses to Meet New State Standards in War Among Smog. Also, State PUC Experts Place $6,708,988 Price Tag on Key |
| Volume 2, Number 10, February 1960 District Ready to Buy New Bus Fleet |
| Volume 2, Number 11-S, March 1960 Citizens' Committee Urges Western Contra Costa to Join District |
| Volume 2, Number 12, April 1960 Price Delayes Takeover of Key System |
| Volume 3, Number 1, May 1960 District and Key System Reach Price Agreement; Long Court Flight Avoided |
| Volume 3, Number 2, June 1960 Transit Directors Approve Purchase of Key System; Agreement is Signed |
| Volume 3, Number 3, July 1960 Bids on Streamlined Coach Fleet Opened; Prices Meet Estimate; ACT Service Policy to Assure Steady Service in Future |
| Volume 3, Number 4, August 1960 Board of Directors Approves Official District Emblem; Replaces Key Symbol |
| Volume 3, Number 5, September 1960 High Court Upholds Transit Bonds; District to replace Key System Oct. 1 |
| Volume 3, Number 6, October 1960 AC Transit Takes Over Key System; First of New System Begins Oct. 23 |
| Volume 3, Number 7, November 1960 Berk Will Represent Richmond Area |
| Volume 3, Number 8-E, December 1960 First of Luxury 'Transit Liners' Enter Transbay Service on Christmas Day |
| Volume 3, Number 9-E, January 1961 Board of Directors Pledge Top Transit System in Nation |
| Volume 3, Number 10-E, February 1961 New Coaches Spark Rider Increase; Operating Results Exceed Estimates |
| Volume 3, Number 11, March 1961 Inter-City Express Gives Fast Service to District Riders. Also, Bill to Divert Bay Span Tolls Arouses Area-wide Opposition |
| Volume 3, Number 12-E, April 1961 District Studies School Bus Problems |
| Volume 4, Number 1, May 1961 Assembly Adopts Bill to Solve Special School Bus Costs; New Bill to Divert Bridge Tolls Opposed by East Bay Leaders |
| Volume 4, Number 2, June 1961 Prominent Transportation Leader Appointed to Board of Directors |
| Volume 4, Number 3, July 1961 Series of Improvements Scheduled; Hayward to Get New Local Service |
| Volume 4, Number 4, August 1961 Mid-Year Report Shows Rider Increase |
| Volume 4, Number 5, September 1961 Bus Modernization Ahead of Schedule with Big Savings. Also, District Pays Tax Bill Nearing $1,000,000 in First Operating Year |
| Volume 4, Number 6, October 1961 Fares Reduced for Teenage Riders |
| Volume 4, Number 7, November 1961 District to Buy More 'Transit Liners' to Meet Unexpected Passenger Gains |
| Volume 4, Number 8, December 1961 Savings Bond Purchase Plan Instituted |
| Volume 4, Number 9, January 1962 Exclusive Bay Bridge Lane Speeds Commuter Bus Travel, Avoids Delay |
| Volume 4, Number 10, February 1962 Death Takes J.R. Worthington, First General Manager of Transit District |
| Volume 4, Number 11, March 1962 Commuter Sales Up 8.5 Percent for Month of February; Also, Possible Annexation to Transit District Studied by Tri-Cities |
| Volume 4, Number 12, April 1962 Board names New General Manager, Buys 30 More Buses to Meet Gains |
| Volume 5, Number 1, May 1962 Transit District Explores New Federal Policy on Special Bus Freeway Lane |
| Volume 5, Number 2, June 1962 $14,360,000 Transit Budget Adopted |
| Volume 5, Number 3, July 1962 Engineers Forecast Financial Loss to AC Transit Under BARTD Operation |
| Volume 5, Number 4, August 1962 Executive Car' Bus Service Proposed |
| Volume 5, Number 5, September 1962 Parade of Progress' Introduces 30 New 'Liners' to East Bay Residents |
| Volume 5, Number 6, October 1962 District Ends Year With Rider Gains, Financial Growth |
| Volume 5, Number 7, November 1962 Free Rides to Berkeley Shoppers |
| Volume 5, Number 8, December 1962 District, Union Sign New Contract |
| Volume 5, Number 9, January 1963 AC Transit Board Elects Officers; New Express Given Green Light |
| Volume 5, Number 10, February 1963 Transit Revenue, Service Threatened By Assembly Bill; Opposition Mounts |
| Volume 5, Number 11, March 1963 Charter Future of AC Transit Awaits Legislative Action. Also, Rider Gain Among Top in Nation, but Short of Meeting All Costs |
| Volume 5, Number 12, April 1963 Washington Township Transit Plan Unveiled; New AC Director Named |
| Volume 6, Number 1, May 1963 Governor Vetoes Bill Banning AC Transit Charter Bus Service. Also, New Bus Bids Rejected Pending Study on Motor Coach Advancements |
| Volume 6, Number 2, June 1963 Service Expansion, 30 New Coaches Draw Tax Raise in Budget Approval |
| Volume 6, Number 3, July 1963 Improvements to Bring New, Faster Transit Service to Additional Riders |
| Volume 6, Number 4, August 1963 New 'Bucket' Seats to Improve Riding Comfort on 30 More Transit Liners |
| Volume 6, Number 5, September 1963 A Pictoral History of Public Transportation in the East Bay |
| Volume 6, Number 6, October 1963 District Maintains Growth, Faces New Era of Development |
| Volume 6, Number 7, November 1963 Express Network Shows Big Gain In Quarterly Report; New Lines Planned |
| Volume 6, Number 8, December 1963 Season's Greetings |
| Volume 6, Number 9, January 1964 Seventh Express Line Brings Fast Commute Service to New Area |
| Volume 6, Number 10, February 1964 Passengers Offered Free Riding with Novel Downtown Shop-a-Round Pass |
| Volume 6, Number 11, March 1964 February Revenues Hit Million Mark, Boosted by Express. Also, New Pass Launched with Merchant Aid |
| Volume 6, Number 12, April 1964 30 More 'Transit Liners' On The Way; Last of Gasoline Buses Soon to Retire |
| Volume 7, Number 1, May 1964 State Policy Rules Transit Coordination 'Absolute Necessity.' Also, Research on Bus-Rail Service to Aid Joint AC/BARTD Operation |
| Volume 7, Number 2, June 1964 District Leads Nation in Safety Improvement Despite System Growth |
| Volume 7, Number 3, July 1964 Board Holds Line on Taxes in Planning Continued Growth, More Equipment |
| Volume 7, Number 4-E, August 1964 Special Award Planned to Recognize Outstanding Service by AC Personnel |
| Volume 7, Number 5-E, September 1964 Girls, Music and Balloons Introduce 'Shop-a-Round' Pass to San Leandro |
| Volume 7, Number 6, October 1964 District Ends Fiscal Year on Firm Basis, Maintains Growth |
| Volume 7, Number 7, November 1964 Large Majority Vote Returns Three Transit Directors to District Office |
| Volume 7, Number 8, December 1964 First 'Golden Wheel' to Be Awarded |
| Volume 7, Number 9, January 1965 New Officers Elected to Head Transit Board; Directors Take Oath of Office |
| Volume 7, Number 10, February 1965 District Takes Steps to Protect Drivers; Halt Bus Rowdyism; John J. Manha Wins First Golden Wheel Award for Service |
| Volume 7, Number 11, March 1965 AC Transit Growth Continues; Rider Increase Highest on the Pacific Coast |
| Volume 7, Number 12, April 1965 Bay Transit Coordination Study Begins |
| Volume 8, Number 1, May 1965 Rider Survey Planned on District Buses to Launch Transit Coordination Project |
| Volume 8, Number 2, June 1965 Carmen's Union and AC Transit Agree to Arbitrate New Wage Contract Settlement |
| Volume 8, Number 3, July 1965 Liberalized Transfer System to Make Riding Easier for Passengers |
| Volume 8, Number 4, August 1965 Campaign Tells Public of New Transfer Plan for 'Stop-Off and Go-Again' Riding |
| Volume 8, Number 5, September 1965 District Workers Awarded 10% Wage Increase; Line Held on Taxes for Year |
| Volume 8, Number 6, October 1965 District to Experiment with Articulated 75-Passenger Bus; Efficiency Gain Seen |
| Volume 8, Number 7, November 1965 Fares for Children, Commuters Raised to Meet new Labor Cost |
| Volume 8, Number 8, December 1965 First Report on Travel Survey Confirms Big Commuter Use of AC Transit Buses |
| Volume 8, Number 9, January 1966 1965 Passenger Revenue Up; District Board Officers Returned for New Year |
| Volume 8, Number 10, February 1966 District Carries More Riders Than Ever During First Month of Fare Adjustment |
| Volume 8, Number 11, March 1966 A New Concept in Public Transit (Freeway Train) |
| Volume 8, Number 12, April 1966 Articulated Bus Receives Enthusiastic Welcome During Introduction to Public |
| Volume 9, Number 1, May 1966 Federal Grant Helps Finance Purchase of New 'Transit Liners' |
| Volume 9, Number 2, June 1966 Contract Awarded for Installing Mobile Two-Way Radio System to Link Coaches |
| Volume 9, Number 3, July 1966 Directors Approve Operating Budget, Explor Methods of Financing Deficit |
| Volume 9, Number 4, August 1966 State Cuts Bridge Bus Tolls, Studies Ways to Generate Greater Transit Use |
| Volume 9, Number 5, September 1966 Increase in Patronage, Lower Bay Bridge Tolls Cut Planned Tax Hike. Also, Special Football Buses Take Fans to Coliseum |
| Volume 9, Number 6, October 1966 Government Joins District in Building New Bus Fleet to Serve Urban Needs |
| Volume 9, Number 7, November 1966 District Ends Fiscal Year With New Passenger Gains; Public Support Cited |
| Volume 9, Number 8, December 1966 Special Bus Carries 'Happy Holidays' Message to Residents From District |
| Volume 9, Number 9, January 1967 Northbound Buses Moved Off Broadway; Parallel Service Runs Smoothly |
| Volume 9, Number 10, February 1967 Joint Engineering Study on Bay Area Transit Coordination in Final Stage |
| Volume 9, Number 11, March 1967 Improved Bus, With Fast Puck-Up, More Power, to Get Trial on District Lines |
| Volume 9, Number 12, April 1967 Hensel to Retire as General Manager' New Transit Chief Sought. Also, Radio-Equipped Buses Put Distrct on Air |
| Volume 10, Number 1, May 1967 New Radio Network Boosts Operating Efficiency, Proves of Help to Riders |
| Volume 10, Number 2, June 1967 AC Transit Workers Get Six Percent Wage Increase in New Labor Contract |
| Volume 10, Number 3, July 1967 District to Explore Pilot Project Aimed at Reducing Bus Hold-Ups |
| Volume 10, Number 4, August 1967 Increase in Transbay Riding Gives District Record-Breaking Gain |
| Volume 10, Number 5, September 1967 Tax Increase Voted To Meet Costs of Service; Change in Token Rate Avoided |
| Volume 10, Number 6, October 1967 Federal Grant Sought to Purchase 30 New Buses, More Two-Way Radios |
| Volume 10, Number 7, November 1967 Financial Support for Publicly-Owned Transit Sought on State Level. Also, New Express Slated As District Expands Service Improvements |
| Volume 10, Number 8, December 1967 Engineering Report Launches Study to Coordinate Bay Area Transit Systems |
| Volume 10, Number 9, January 1968 Cut In Bridge Tolls Sought as Aid in Holding line on Fares |
| Volume 10, Number 10, February 1968 Action taken for District to Pilot Study into Reduction of Bus Hold-Ups |
| Volume 10, Number 9, March 1968 Forerunner of New Transit Concept? |
| Volume 10, Number 10, April 1968 Study of East Bay Bus-Rail Needs Launched |
| Volume 10, Number 11, May 1968 Bus Tour to Show Scenic East Bay |
| Volume 10, Number 12, June 1968 Action Taken to Eliminate Bus Crimes |
| Volume 11, Number 1, July 1968 New "Ready-Fare" Plan Off to Smooth Start |
| Volume 11, Number 2, August 1968 Wounded Driver Goes on Goodwill Tour |
| Volume 11, Number 3, September 1968 Twenty-Year Record of Safe Driving |
| Volume 11, Number 4, October 1968 A New Image For Transit |
| Volume 11, Number 5, November 1968 Season's Greetings |
| Volume 11, Number 6, December 1968 "Sky Bus" Offers New Approach |
| Volume 11, Number 7, January 1969 A New Bus is Born |
| Volume 11, Number 8, February 1969 New Future for Steam Engines? |
| Volume 11, Number 9, March 1969 Personal Transit Vehicle Tested |
| Volume 11, Number 10, April 1969 New Buses Join Fleet |
| Volume 11, Number 11, May 1969 Excursion to Rio Vista (Western Railway Museum): A Chance to Meet Old Friends |
| Volume 11, Number 12, June 1969 Cable Car To Roll Again in Replica |
| Volume 12, Number 1, July 1969 Fast Airport Transit Link: Study Under Way |
| Volume 12, Number 2, August 1969 Freeway Link to Speed Service |
| Volume 12, Number 3, September 1969 Traffic Congestion Boosts Transit Use |
| Volume 12, Number 4, October 1969 100 Years of Transit Progress |
| Volume 12, Number 5, November 1969 Helpers Busy on Holiday Bus |
| Volume 12, Number 6, December 1969 Challenge of Future Transit Coordination |
| Volume 12, Number 7, January 1970 District Launches New Attack on Air Polution |
| Volume 12, Number 8, February 1970 Bottleneck Swallows Commuters |
| Volume 12, Number 9, March 1970 Brighten Your Day! Go AC Transit |
| Volume 12, Number 10, April 1970 Exclusive Lane Zips Buses Through Toll Plaza As Cars WaitÉand Wait |
| Volume 12, Number 11, May 1970 Youngsters Discover What Makes Their Buses Run |
| Volume 12, Number 12, June 1970 Buses Back on Broadway |
| Volume 13, Number 1, July 1970 Radio "Voice" Given Modern Bus Fleet |
| Volume 13, Number 2, August 1970 Cleanest Bus in Town |
| Volume 13, Number 3, September 1970 New Information Phone Aids Downtown Riders |
| Volume 13, Number 4, October 1970 10 Years of AC Transit |
| Volume 13, Number 5, November 1970 Public Discussion Begins on AC Transit-BART Coordination |
| Volume 13, Number 6, December 1970 St. Nick Rides Again With Message of Hope-and Cheer |
| Volume 13, Number 7, January 1971 First Bus with Anti-Smog Kit Arrives for Testing on Property |
| Volume 13, Number 8, February 1971 U.C. Students Design New-Look Bus Shelters |
| Volume 13, Number 9, March 1971 Public Views Sought on Rerouting |
| Volume 13, Number 10, April 1971 District Moves Ahead in Air Pollution Reduction (hole punched) |
| Volume 13, Number 11, May 1971 Mini-car Proposed for Short Transit Trips |
| Volume 13, Number 12, June 1971 Scenic Bus Tour Introduces Riders to Attractions of East Bay Living |
| Volume 14, Number 1, July 1971 Bicycle Bus Bridges Bay |
| Volume 14, Number 2, August 1971 Buses-Only Lanes Speed Travel Time |
| Volume 14, Number 3, September 1971 New Express Cuts Student's Commute |
| Volume 14, Number 4, October 1971 AC Transit Demonstrates Steam Bus |
| Volume 14, Number 5, November 1971 Steam Bus Shown to Congress, DOT |
| Volume 14, Number 6, December 1971 "Santa Toyland" Tours East Bay |
| Volume 14, Number 7, January 1972 Federal Grant to Help Finance Five-Year Improvement Program |
| Volume 14, Number 8, February 1972 Drivers Recognized for New Safety Excellence |
| Volume 14, Number 9, March 1972 Bus/Train Coordination Moves Ahead |
| Volume 14, Number 10, April 1972 Bus Stops Signs, Timetables Coordinated for BART Opening |
| Volume 14, Number 11, May 1972 Additional Bus Lines Rerouted to BART/Richmond Stations |
| Volume 14, Number 12, June 1972 New Headsigns Printed for Start of BART |
| Volume 15, Number 1, July 1972 "Jet Age" of BusesÉEquipment Features More Leg Room and Look of Open Spaciousness |
| Volume 15, Number 2, August 1972 AC Transit Ready for BART |
| Volume 15, Number 3, September 1972 BART Day One |
| Volume 15, Number 4, October 1972 Buses Play Important Role in Presidential Visit to Area |
| Volume 15, Number 5, November 1972 Anti-Pollution Devices Give District Cleaner Burning Fleet |
| Volume 15, Number 6, December 1972 Agencies Work Together to Bring Public Transit to Santa Clara County |
| Volume 15, Number 7, January 1973 New Pattern of Transit Service Ready for BART Richmond Line |
| Volume 15, Number 8, February 1973 R Day (BART's Richmond Line Rolls Into Service) |
| Volume 15, Number 9, March 1973 Community Service Performed by Drivers Recognized by Police |
| Volume 15, Number 10, April 1973 Riders Praise Bus Drivers as "Good People" |
| Volume 15, Number 11, May 1973 Summer Fun Tours Begin in June |
| Volume 15, Number 12, June 1973 Bus Top Numbering Program Aids Police Helicopter Response |
| Volume 16, Number 1, July 1973 More Leg and Knee Room Provided in New Coaches |
| Volume 16, Number 2, August 1973 New Bus Schedule Board Helps Riders Complete Transit Trips |
| Volume 16, Number 3, September 1973 "Bus of the Future" Models Exhibited in the East Bay |
| Volume 16, Number 4, October 1973 The Smallest and Largest in Bus Fleet |
| Volume 16, Number 5, November 1973 AC Transit Joins Project to Connect Outlying Areas to BART |
| Volume 16, Number 6, December 1973 Christmas Bus Spreads Cheer in East Bay |
| Volume 16, Number 7, January 1974 First Dial-A-Ride Bus Introduced in Richmond |
| Volume 16, Number 8, February 1974 Record Ridership Recorded As More People Use Buses |
| Volume 16, Number 9, March 1974 25 Years of Safe Driving |
| Volume 16, Number 10, April 1974 Blind Kids Learn About Buses |
| Volume 16, Number 11, May 1974 Fremont Okays Contract For Interim Bus Service |
| Volume 16, Number 12, June 1974 All Signs Point To Busiest Year Yet |
| Volume 17, Number 1, July 1974 Articulated Buses to be Tested |
| Volume 17, Number 2, August 1974 Futuristic Design Model For Transbay Transit Terminal |
| Volume 17, Number 3, September 1974 Door-to-Door Dial-A-Ride in Richmond |
| Volume 17, Number 4, October 1974 Checkers Look For Riding Changes |
| Volume 17, Number 5, November 1974 Fremont Bus Serivce Begins |
| Volume 17, Number 6, December 1974 Contract Bus Service to BART Begins |
| Volume 17, Number 7, January 1975 Exploratory Talks for Minimal Bus Service Underway In Central Contra Costa County |
| Volume 17, Number 8, February 1975 New Buses Have More Leg Room |
| Volume 17, Number 9, March 1975 People Who Care About People Don't Smoke on Buses |
| Volume 17, Number 10, April 1975 Historic Photo of Early Bus Found |
| Volume 17, Number 11, May 1975 First Bus Service to Pill Hill |
| Volume 17, Number 12, June 1975 Local Concord Bus System Approved |
| Volume 18, Number 1, July 1975 New Safe-Driving Record Set |
| Volume 18, Number 2, August 1975 Concord Service Ready to Start |
| Volume 18, Number 3, September 1975 Concord Welcomes AC Transit |
| Volume 18, Number 4, October 1975 Bus of Tomorrow Unveiled (numbered as volume 15) |
| Volume 18, Number 5, November 1975 Unique Pill Hill Service to Roll (numbered as volume 15) |
| Volume 18, Number 6, December 1975 AC Transit Salute to U.S. Bicentnnial 1776-1976 (numbered as volume 15) |
| Volume 18, Number 7, January 1976 Suburban Transit Expansion |
| Volume 18, Number 8, February 1976 Public Service Demonstrated By Alertness |
| Volume 18, Number 9, March 1976 More Riders Using Public Transit |
| Volume 18, Number 10, April 1976 Raiders Team Up To Promote Young Respect for District Buses |
| Volume 18, Number 11, May 1976 Summer Sunshine Fun Tours Begin Soon |
| Volume 18, Number 12, June 1976 Bombs Bursting in AirÉ..'Uncle Sam' Holds Flag on High as Smoke Billows from Cannon Fire on Top of AC Transit Bicentennial-decorated coach |
| Volume 19, Number 1, July 1976 Regional Discount Program Celebrates First Anniversary |
| Volume 19, Number 2, August 1976 Local Bus Roadeo Draws Competitors For National Contest |
| Volume 19, Number 3, September 1976 New Bus Service Begnis For Residents of Moraga and Orinda |
| Volume 19, Number 4, October 1976 Zonal Dial-A-Ride Control Room Coordinates Start of Service |
| Volume 19, Number 5, November 1976 AC Transit Fleet Carries Thousands to Cal Big Game |
| Volume 19, Number 6, December 1976 Season's Greetings from AC Transit |
| Volume 19, Number 7, January 1977 AC Transit Expands in Eastern Contra Costa County |
| Volume 19, Number 8, February 1977 Bus Washing and Other Procedures Help Cut District Water Use by 1/3 |
| Volume 19, Number 9, March 1977 Rider Totals Increased 6% In Past Year |
| Volume 19, Number 10, April 1977 Driver Training Begins For East Contra Costa Services Start-Up June 6 |
| Volume 19, Number 11, May 1977 It's Sunshine Tour Season |
| Volume 19, Number 12, June 1977 New Transit Service Greeted With Fanfare In East Contra Costa |
| Volume 20, Number 1, July 1977 Workers Prepare Coach For Wheelchair Lift in Concord |
| Volume 20, Number 2, August 1977 Bay Bridge Under Construction |
| Volume 20, Number 3, September 1977 Three Drivers Top Tough Competitors in 1977 Bus Roadeo |
| Volume 20, Number 4, October 1977 Testing Prototype Wheelchair Lift |
| Volume 20, Number 5, November 1977 Service Area Grows, Ridership Hits Peak During Past Year |
| Volume 20, Number 6, December 1977 Old San Francisco Ferry Terminal Welcomes East Bay Passengers |
| Volume 20, Number 7, January 1978 Alan L. Bingham 1925Ð1978 |
| Volume 20, Number 8, February 1978 Wheelchair Lift Gets Thorough Safety Check |
| Volume 20, Number 9, March 1978 Coaches Get Pre-Emp Device For Concord Demonstration Project |
| Volume 20, Number 10, April 1978 French Bus Gets Road Testing |
| Volume 20, Number 11, May 1978 Contract Service Planned for West Contra Costa |
| Volume 20, Number 12, June 1978 Articulated Coaches Will Ease Space Crunch on Heavily-Used Lines |
| Volume 21, Number 1, July 1978 District Participates in Radio Alert |
| Volume 21, Number 1, August 1978 Newly-Installed Equipment Speeds Responses at Information Center |
| Volume 21, Number 3, September 1978 Operators Achieve An All-Time Safety Record in August |
| Volume 21, Number 4, October 1978 Training Prepares Drivers To Operate Articulated Buses |
| Volume 21, Number 5, November 1978 Season's Greetings' Rolls Into Operation |
| Volume 21, Number 6, December 1978 Holiday Greetings From AC Transit |
| Volume 21, Number 7, January 1979 Jockey Touts Service to Track |
| Volume 21, Number 8, February 1979 40th Anniversary: Ferries, Trains, Buses Served International Expo |
| Volume 21, Number 9, March 1979 New System Will Update and Improve Data Processing Capabilities |
| Volume 21, Number 10, April 1979 New Diamond Lane Speeds Transbay Commute Trips |
| Volume 21, Number 11, May 1979 Public Hears Outline Of Five-Year Plan |
| Volume 21, Number 12, June 1979 Driver Training: TV Takes a Look |
| Volume 22, Number 1, July 1979 Roadeo Tests Driver Skills |
| Volume 22, Number 2, August 1979 Services Staff Gives Information to New Customers |
| Volume 22, Number 3, September 1979 Bus Riding Made Easy. (New Pass Introduced) |
| Volume 22, Number 4, October 1979 Oakland's Mayor Recieves New Monthly Bus Pass |
| Volume 22, Number 5-6, November-December 1979 Decorated Coach Offers Holiday Greetings, '79 |
| Volume 22, Number 7, January 1980 Purchase Agreement Signals New Facility |
| Volume 22, Number 8, February 1980 Easiest Way Across The Bay. New Pass Will Aid Transbay Riders |
| Volume 22, Number 9, March 1980 Expanded Facility Serves Customers Better |
| Volume 22, Number 10, April 1980 Transit Systems Mark New Cooperative Link |
| Volume 22, Number 11, May 1980 Drivers Win Board Commendation |
| Volume 22, Number 12, June 1980 Kids and Moms Get Bus Use Tips |
| Volume 23, Number 1-2, July-August 1980 Winged Symbol is Twenty Years Old |
| Volume 23, Number 3, September 1980 Top Three Take Roadeo Honors |
| Volume 23, Number 4, October 1980 Anniversary: Old and New Receive Salutes |
| Volume 23, Number 5-6, November-December 1980 The Handy Little Shuttle With the Downtown Sound |
| Volume 23, Number 7, January 1981 The Gavel Changes Hands: Board Elects New President |
| Volume 23, Number 8, February 1981 The Bus Fleet - Old Standbys, New Additions |
| Volume 23, Number 9, March 1981 Drivers Learn to Help the Handicapped Rider |
| Volume 23, Number 10, April 1981 1920's: Buses Make East Bay Debut |
| Volume 23, Number 11, May 1981 Some People Have Been Waiting For The Bus All Their Lives. It's Finally Here. Lift-Equipped Coaches Launch Access Program |
| Volume 23, Number 12, June 1981 Saluting Broadened Bus Access |
| Volume 24, Number 1-2, July-August 1981 East Meets West in The MUNI Connection. First Two-System Pass Goes on Sale |
| Volume 24, Number 3, September 1981 Part of the Big Bay Area Picture |
| Volume 24, Number 4, October 1981 Charters, Tokens Made News 20 Years Ago |
| Volume 24, Number 5-6, November-December 1981 Holiday Coach Brightens Street Scene |
| Volume 24, Number 7, January 1982 New Year Nuptials: Drivers Wed On Bus |
| Volume 24, Number 8, February 1982 New Passwords to Easy Riding |
| Volume 24, Number 9, March 1982 Gillie Room Get-Togethers: Making the Monthly Safety Goal |
| Volume 24, Number 10, April 1982 Hearing Provides Planning Input |
| Volume 24, Number 11, May 1982 System Shares In MTC Honors |
| Volume 24, Number 12, June 1982 First of New Gilligs Gets Test-Run |
| Volume 25, Number 1-2, July-August 1982 Governor Signs Bills Providing Transit Aid |
| Volume 25, Number 3, September 1982 Event Notes Three-Way East Bay Business Link |
| Volume 25, Number 4, October 1982 Anti-Crime Alertness Campaign Wins APTA Transit-Ad Award |
| Volume 25, Number 5-6, November-December 1982 Coach Carries Season's Greetings |
| Volume 25, Number 7, January 1983 Old Transit Records Yield Historic Sidelights |
| Volume 25, Number 8-9, February-March 1983 Central Maintenance/Stores Site: Construction Project Progresses |
| Volume 25, Number 10, April 1983 Double-Deck Bus Gets Road Tests |
| Volume 25, Number 11, May 1983 California Railway Museum (Western Railway Museum): Trek Into Transportation Post |
| Volume 25, Number 12, June 1983 Coach-to-Coach Service: Buses Offer Airport Link |
| Volume 26, Number 1-2, July-August 1983 Fighting Crime Via Film |
| Volume 26, Number 3, September 1983 Driver Sign-Up: Meeting, Greeting, Making Choices |
| Volume 26, Number 4, October 1983 Uniting People To Help People |
| Volume 26, Number 5-6, November-December 1983 Season's Greetings: Holiday Coaches Rolls Again |
| Volume 26, Number 7, January 1984 Facility Takes Shape at East Oakland Site |
| Volume 26, Number 8, February 1984 Bay Area Transit Status Report: RTA's Fist Conference Convenes |
| Volume 26, Number 9, March 1984 Exemplary Safety Records Earn Seats at Pro Games |
| Volume 26, Number 10, April 1984 Maintenance Move Approaches: Old Site Sees Its Waning Days |
| Volume 26, Number 11, May 1984 Safe Driving is its Own reward, But Coffee Parties Are Nice Too |
| Volume 26, Number 12, June 1984 New Oakland Offices: Consilidating Functions |
| Volume 27, Number 1-2, July-August 1984 Charters: The Democratic Way Around The Bay |
| Volume 27, Number 3, September 1984 Wheels/Rails Pact Signed |
| Volume 27, Number 4, October 1984 System Celebrates Maintenance Center Opening |
| Volume 27, Number 5-6, November-December 1984 Gavel Again Changes Hands As Board Begins New Term |
| Volume 27, Number 7, January 1985 Dolphins Leave the Driving to District Buses |
| Volume 27, Number 8, February 1985 Passengers Take Part in System Survey |
| Volume 27, Number 9, March 1985 Endangered Species. (Congress Proposes Transit Budget Cuts) |
| Volume 27, Number 10, April 1985 Officials Gather For General Office Ground-Breaking |
| Volume 27, Number 11, May 1985 British Bus Bound For District Testing |
| Volume 27, Number 12, June 1985 Info Project Promotes Options for Commuting Across Dumbarton Span |
| Volume 28, Number 1-2, July-August 1985 25 Years Ago Service Started |
| Volume 28, Number 3, September 1985 Division Entrants Sweep District Roadeo |
| Volume 28, Number 4, October 1985 District Marks Quarter-Century Service Milestone |
| Volume 28, Number 5-6, November-December 1985 Eye-catching coaches salute the season |
| Volume 28, Number 7, January 1986 Board Presidency Changes |
| Volume 28, Number 8, February 1986 Bus Bridge' Again Aids Traiin Riders |
| Volume 28, Number 9, March 1986 Car-Pooling: When Is It A Help? When Is It A Hindrance? |
| Volume 28, Number 10, April 1986 Japanese Television Documentary To Include Accessibility Segment |
| Volume 28, Number 11, May 1986 Patrons And Public React To District Service Planning |
| Volume 28, Number 12, June 1986 Competitors Sharpen Roadeo Skills |
| Volume 29, Number 1-2, July-August 1986 Would Today's Broadway Benefit From Transit Re-Routing? |
| Volume 29, Number 3, September 1986 Hayward Division Opens |
| Volume 29, Number 4, October 1986 Vierra Vies As Driver And Is Rodeo Victor |
| Volume 29, Number 5-6, November-December 1986 Veteran Policy-Maker Welcomes New Director |
| Volume 29, Number 7, January 1987 Nakadegawa Assumes Board Presidency |
| Volume 29, Number 8, February 1987 New Two-Mode Pass Marketed |
| Volume 29, Number 9, March 1987 Move To New Headquarters Nears |
| Volume 29, Number 10, April 1987 Please Forward Our Mail: Farwell to Lathem Square |
| Volume 29, Number 11-12, May-June 1987 50 Years AgoÉBuses Inaugerate Transbay Service |
| Volume 30, Number 1-2, July-August 1987 1987 Roadeo Champs Chosen |
| Volume 30, Number 3, September 1987 Buses Aid Anti-Crime Program |
| Volume 30, Number 4, October 1987 New-Look Shuttle Aims to Boost Broadway Business |
| Volume 30, Number 5-6, November-December 1987 1987 Mobile Greeting Gives Season Salute |
| Volume 30, Number 7-8, January-February 1988 Double-Duty Vans Answer Regular Road-Calls, Give Eased Access |
| Volume 30, Spring 1988 New Project Promises Faster Patron Transfers |
| Volume 30, Summer 1988 District Celebrates New Coach Delivery |
| Volume 30, Fall 1988 Signal Plan Alerts Riders To Timing of Fare Changes |
| Volume 31, January-February 1989 Today's Transit Leaders View Yesterday's Modes (Visit to Western Railway Musuem) |
| Volume 31, Spring 1989 Locally Built Buses Leave the Line |
| Volume 31, Summer 1989 Old Route Patterns Are Making Way For Service in a Changed East Bay |
| Volume 31, Fall 1989 Buses Await Presidential Press Corps' Touch-Down for Tour of Quake Sites |
Throughout AC Transit's 50-year history, many photographs have been taken to chronicle the District's evolution. The following is a small collection of these photographs. Over the course of this year, additional photographs will be added to this site to further illustrate AC Transit's long history in the East Bay.
Schoolchildren tour bus yard. (ca. 1965) |
Schoolchildren tour bus yard. (ca. 1965) |
Schoolchildren tour bus yard. (ca. 1965) |
Schoolchildren tour bus yard. (ca. 1965) |
A shipment of the new AC Transit Transit Liners arriving from GM. See Transit Times Volume 3, Number 8-E to learn more about the new buses. (1960) |
Line 41B stopping at Downtown Oakland. (1961) |
Line 43 at Bancroft Middle School. (1961) |
A Line 57C bus at MacArthur BART station. Note the blue light to the left of the head sign which, when illuminated, alerts riders that the bus is headed to a BART station. See Transit Times Volume 15, Number 1 to learn more about the blue light. (ca. 1972) |
A rendering of AC Transit's General Office facility at 1600 Franklin Street in March 1987. AC Transit's headquarters was previously in the Latham Square Building at 16th and Telegraph. (See Transit Times Volume 29, Number 9) |
A shipment of the new AC Transit Transit Liners arriving from GM. See Transit Times Volume 3, Number 8-E to learn more about the new buses. (1960) |
"Travelcade of Progress" bus parade through downtown Berkeley on the corner of Shattuck Ave. and University Ave. See Transit Times Volume 3, Number 9 to learn more about these ceremonies celebrating the new buses. (1960) |
These bus stop signs were a marketing tool to lure drivers out of their cars and onto AC Transit. See Transit Times Volume 12, Number 6 for more about these "Red Cap" bus stop signs. (ca. 1969) |
The Bay Bridge toll plaza. See Transit Times Volume 15, Number 11 for more about bus-only lanes. (ca. 1973) |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960) . |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960) |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960) |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960). |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960) |
The transition from the Key System to AC Transit! See Transit Times Volume 3, Numbers 3 through 6 for more about the transition. (ca. 1960) |
The Latham Square bus shelter, which stood at 15th and Broadway. See Transit Times Volume 2 , Number 11-S for more about the joint venture with local businesses that built this shelter. (ca. 1960) |
Latham Square bus shelter model. The actual shelter stood at 15th and Broadway. (ca. 1960) |
"The Better Way Home" billboard. (ca. 1970) |
Even before service began, AC Transit was accountable to the voters who created it. The annual reports issued by the District chronicled its yearly achievements and provided a financial snapshot of the District with a balance sheet. First issued for the fiscal year of 1957-1958, the annual reports predate the beginning of service but begin a tradition of accountability and responsiveness to the public that the District continues to strive for today.
In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
| 1957-1958.pdf |
| 1959-1960.pdf |
| 1960-1961.pdf |
| 1961-1962.pdf |
| 1962-1963.pdf |
| 1963-1964.pdf |
| 1964-1965.pdf |
| 1965-1966.pdf |
| 1966-1967.pdf |
| 1967-1968.pdf |
| 1968-1969.pdf |
| 1970-1971.pdf |
| 1971-1972.pdf |
| 1972-1973.pdf |
| 1973-1974.pdf |
| 1974-1975.pdf |
| 1975-1976.pdf |
| 1976-1977.pdf |
| 1977-1978.pdf |
| 1978-1979.pdf |
| 1979-1980.pdf |
| 1980-1981.pdf |
| 1981-1982.pdf |
| 1982-1983.pdf |
| 1983-1984.pdf |
| 1984-1985.pdf |
| 1985-1986.pdf |
| 1986-1987.pdf |
| 1987-1988.pdf |
Like the communities it serves, AC Transit has evolved over the years.
These photo montages juxtapose street scenes from decades past with recent photographs of the same locations.
Although some locations have changed dramatically over the years, others look remarkably familiar. The now
pictures and these montages were taken and assembled by Daniel Levy, whose interest in the history of AC Transit
made this entire history collection possible. Over the course of this year, additional then and now montages will
be added to this site to further illustrate how AC Transit and the East Bay have changed, and remained the same,
over the last century.
In order to view these movies, please download Quicktime, which is available as a free download through Apple.
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| 1st Avenue | 20th Street | Fruitvale Avenue |
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| 17th | 23rd | 40th |
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| Brooklyn | Harrison | Yerba |
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| YMCA | Yolo |
The formation of AC Transit as a publicly owned transit system was a new idea at the time. Not only were public funds being used to finance the system's startup, but a bond issue was approved to fund the purchase of a privately owned transit company, Key System Transit Lines. Satisfying the needs and demands of the numerous stakeholders affected by this undertaking was a paramount concern for those involved at AC Transit's inception. Over the course of this year, additional documents and materials will be added to this site to further illustrate AC Transit's beginnings as a public agency.
In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
| Bond Issue Official Statement |
| Citizens Committee Letter |
| De Leuw Cather initial recommendations |
| Facts You Should Know |
| Public Transit Plan, Summary 1958 |
| Public Transit Plan, August 1959 |
| Valuation of Key System |
| East Bay Transit on the Move |
Whether it was to mark a special event or to prevent fraud and theft or to just make it easier to ride, boarding the bus has produced some interesting fare media. Souvenir tickets were issued to commemorate special events and buses, while Ready-Fare tokens were introduced after a bus driver was robbed. AC Transit's predecessors also used unique tokens emblazoned with their logos in lieu of cash. The following are some examples of tickets and tokens over the years. As additional fare media are found, they will be added to this site to showcase the remarkable variety of payment systems used in the past.
Souvenir Tickets | ||
| 1961 Bus No. 2540 | 1965 Bus No. 2510 | |
AC Transit Token | ||
| 1961 Back | 1961 Front | 1968 Back |
| 1968 Front | ||
East Bay Transit Company Token | ||
| 1930 Back | 1930 Front | |
East Bay Street Railways Token | ||
| 1930 Back | 1930 Front | |
Key System Token | ||
| 1945 Back | 1945 Front | 1950 Back |
| 1950 Front | Slotted Back | Slotted Front |
| Undated Back | Undated Front | |
Increasing public awareness of the myriad types of services offered by AC Transit is the principal concern of the pieces showcased here. As the transportation needs of the public has changed over the years, so has AC Transit's services. Extolling and explaining these services and convincing the public to take advantage of them are central to AC Transit's customer service and marketing efforts. Over the course of this year, additional materials will be added to this site to further illustrate AC Transit's outreach to the community.
In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
| Charter brochure |
| Dial A Ride |
| Freeway Train Pamphlet (green) |
| Freeway Train Pamphlet (orange) |
| New Look |
| Sunshine Trails |
| Transit Trails |
| Dial A Ride |
| Steam Bus |
Determining the types and levels of service for each community begins with planning and scheduling. Evaluating ridership patterns, communicating with local governments, and assessing overall demand for AC Transit's service is essential to the development of a service that will benefit as many riders as possible. Using a variety of analytic tools and resources, along with historic precedence, planning and scheduling balances limited resources with a fundamental responsibility to the communities AC Transit serves. Over the course of this year, additional materials will be added to this site to broaden the picture of AC Transit's planning efforts.
In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
| Background Statement to Bay Area Regional Government |
| History of Lines by Line |
| Yearly Statistical Analysis FY1960-1964 |
| Yearly Statistical Analysis FY1960-1966 and 1971 |
At the intersection of marketing and public information are maps. Because AC Transit provides a community-level service, maps must provide a clear representation of a complex service while also making the service welcoming and inviting. It's a vexing problem that has a number of solutions and AC Transit has tried many of them over the years. The following are a selection of system-wide and detail maps that show the evolution of AC Transit's service during the past 50 years. Over the course of this year, additional maps will be added to this site as they become available.
Although all the maps are presented as JPEGs and can be viewed directly from a web browser, PDF versions are also available for many maps allowing the viewer to better appreciate the level of detail found in these pieces. In order to view these PDFs, please download a PDF viewer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download through Adobe Systems but other PDF readers are available as well.
Map Images | ||
1960-October System_Map_Back |
1960-October System_Map_Front |
1961-September System_Map_Back |
1961-September System_Map_Downtown |
1962-September System_Map_Back |
1962-September System_Map_Front |
1963-August System_Map_Back |
1963-August System_Map_Downtown |
1964-September System_Map_Back |
1964-September System_Map_Downtown |
1965-September System_Map_Back |
1965-September System_Map_Downtown |
1968-October System_Map_Front |
1970-December System_Map_Back |
1970-December System_Map_Downtown |
1970-June System_Map_Back |
1970-June System_Map_Downtown |
1972-March System_Map_Back |
1972-March System_Map_Downtown |
1972-September System_Map_Back |
1972-September System_Map_Front |
1973-January System_Map_Back |
1973-January System_Map_Downtown |
1973-June System_Map_Back |
1973-June System_Map_Front |
1974-July System_Map_Back |
1974-July System_Map_Front |
1975-April System_Map_Back |
1975-April System_Map_Front |
1975-July System_Map_Back |
1975-July System_Map_Downtown |
1976-March System_Map_Back |
1976-March System_Map_Front |
1976-October System_Map_Back |
1976-October System_Map_Downtown |
CA.-1979 System_Map_Back |
CA.-1979 System_Map_Front |
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1974 December Newark Bus Routes
As the third-largest public bus system in California, buses are at the heart of AC Transit. Customer service and comfort and technological innovation have driven bus acquisitions at AC Transit over the years. From the Freeway Train and the Steam Bus to the Van Hool articulated coaches and hydrogen fuel cell buses, AC Transit has been a leader in exploring and adopting new buses. The following is a sampling of the different types of buses used in AC Transit's 50-year history. Over the course of this year, additional bus photos and specifications will be added to this site as they become available.
Acquired from Key System Transit Lines | ||||||
1947 GMC TDH4008. AC Transit series 1401-1405. 33 feet. |
1947 GMC TDH4507. AC Transit series 1700-1859. 35 feet. |
1947 GMC TDH4507. AC Transit series 1700-1859. 35 feet. |
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1949 GMC TDH4509. AC Transit series 1900-1924. 35 feet. |
1958 GMC TDH4801. AC Transit series 2100-2120. 37.75 feet. |
1958 GMC TDH4801. AC Transit series 2100-2120. 37.75 feet. |
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Acquired by AC Transit After the Start of Service | ||||||
1961 GMC TDH4516. AC Transit series 400-480. 35 feet. |
1961 GMC TDH5301. AC Transit series 500-624. 40 feet. |
1961 GMC TDH5301. AC Transit series 500-624. 40 feet. |
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1966 GMC TDH5304. AC Transit series 345-364. 40 feet. |
1969 GMC TDH5305. AC Transit series 636-665. 40 feet. |
1973 GMC T6H4523N. AC Transit series 810-864. 35 feet. |
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1974 Flxible 53102-6-0. AC Transit series 180-299. 40 feet. |
1976 Flxible 53102-8-1. AC Transit 8000-8035. 40 feet. |
1984 Gillig Phantom 40TB96. AC Transit series 1400-1437. 40 feet. |
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Prototype, Demonstration, and Other Unique Coaches | ||||||
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Taken for a Ride is a documentary by Jim Klein and Martha Olson that documents the efforts to derail mass transit in America. Ever wonder why the U.S. has the worst mass transportation system in the industrialized world? Using historical footage and investigative research, this film tells how GM fought to push freeways into the inner cities of America, and push public transportation out. For more information about this film, check out New Day Films. This video was funded by the Independent Television Service. Support the work of this film by (a) using public transportation, (b) telling your elected representatives to dedicate more funding towards public transportation, and (c) purchase this video for your own collection.





