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Vol .6 N o . 7 OAKLAND, NOVEMBER 1963

Express NetwfWlrv ' ' ' " ' ' Big Gain InQuarterly Report; NewLinesPlanned

Success of the East Bay intercity express service was apparent this month inth e district's first quarterly report of thene w fiscal year.

Express lines showed a 14.8 per centincrease in revenue during July, Augustand September of this year over the sameperiod in 1962, according to a reportmade by John F. Larson, treasurer-con

troller.Express revenues were 40.1 per centgreater than the same period two yearsago, a few months after the first fourlimited-stop bus lines were inaugurated.Two Per Cent Growth

Larson also reported that passengerrevenue from all lines totaled $3,097,300for th e quarter, a tw o per cent increaseover th e first quarter of the last fiscalyear. Total income was sufficient to coverall expenses including operations , equipment replacement and bond debt requirements.

In summing up, Larson said the current financial status of the dist rict is inline with estima tes made at th e beginning of the year.

Comparisons turned up some startling

figures, however. Transbay commutebook sales for October - th e district'sthird anniversary year - were up 30.5per cent over the first month AC Transitwent into operation.

Commute book sales, an indication ofthe growth in transbay bus commuting,

(Continued on Page 8)

New express lines and other improvements approved by th e board of directorswill slash traveling time for commutersin virtually all sections of th e districtstarting next month.

The new projects take priority amongdistrict plans to provide faster an d moredirect service for more riders, attractingthem from private automobiles to b u ~transportation.

Th e improvements includ e: Inauguration of a ne w intercity ex

press, Line 31, to provide th e district'sfirst freeway limited stop service be-tween Oakland an d Richmond. The newexpress, also serving Albany and El Cer-rito, will cut trav eling time in half, witha schedule of 31 minutes between 23rdand Macdonald in Richmond and 14thand Broadway in Oakland.

A new commuter express, Line 38,operating from downtown Oakland viaEast 14th St. and Bancroft Ave. to SanLeandro, bringing speedy bus service toan area presently without express transit.

Extension of Line 33-Berkeley express from its terminal at Solano Ave.and The Alameda into Albany, El Cerrito an d Richmond during commutehours, providing direct transit betweendowntown areas of the four cities.

Increased transbay express servicefor commuters between El Sobrante and~ . n Francisco through improvements toLine L-Richmond express, while at th e

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Remainder of New Equipment ExpectedIn December as 'Holiday Gift' to Riders

With the first shipment of new TransitLiners already in service, district officialsthis month were expecting the rest of30 new motor coaches to arrive here bymid-December.

Residents in East Bay cities served bythe district ha d a chance to "look, sit an dtry" the newest in transit equipment afterthe first buses arrived. Th e coaches, costin g a total of $818,000, reflect results ofa study into latest improvements, of special interest to th e public.

To give residents a preview, th e buses

Busiest Day in ThreeYears Tallied With Aid

Of Weather an d RacingWith a boost from the weather, the

season and the "Sport of Kings," ACTransit started off November with thebiggest day in its three year history.

Passenger revenue on Nov. 1 hi t$46,996.48 in fares collected on localand transbay Jines.

The record was attributed to the warm,clear kind of a day that brought shoppers out-apparently to take advantageof sales and early holiday bargains. Opening of the racing meet at Golden GateFields in Albany also added to th e district's "purse" for the day.

Commuting Time Cu tBy l ine Improvements

(Continued from pag e 1)

same time providing better service between Richmond an d San Francisco.

Extension of additional transbayLine F buses from Solano Ave. an d Th eAlameda down Solano to San Pablo Ave.in Albany, providing more service durin g midday, as well as at night time an don Saturdays an d Sundays.

Th e improvements will go into operation with the new sign-up Dec. 1 an d 2,except for Line 38, which will be inaugurated after the Christmas holidays.

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were stationed in downtown Alameda,Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Leandro and Hayward, then on another date,in EI Sobrante, San Pablo, San Lorenzo,Castro Valley, Albany and EI Cerrito.Route maps, tour booklets and timetables were available for free distributionduring the hours the buses were openfor inspection.

Th e new coaches feature "Mark 1"European -type bucket seats, an easierto use push-type rear door exit and improved interior paneling.

New Workers AssignedTo Positions in District

Newcomers, who started employmentwith AC Transit in October, include th efollowing:

General OfficesClaims: Sharon Kreitzer, 2500 Fruit

vale Ave., Oakland, secretary.

Emeryville DivisionPBX - Information: Iona Castlebary,

1032Jf - 45th St., Emeryville, rehire, parttime informa tion clerk.

Maintenance, auto: Robert Wong, 235Frisbie St., Oakland, service employee.

Bus Operators: R. E. Moore, 16001Maubert Ave., San Leandro; J. C . Foran,607 Beacon St., Oakland; L. J. Fontaine,28 Heyman Ave. , San Francisco; D . C.Anderson, 1729-D Seminary Ave., Oakland; A. R. Mongeau, 655 Magnolia Ave.,H. H. Christian, 2445 Telegraph Ave.,Apt. 14, Oakland.

Seminary DivisionBus Operators: E. L. Miller, 2217

Chestnut St., Livermore; V. K. Shinkle,2251 Buena Vista, Apt. 21, San Leandro;V. W. Marshall, 326 Via Lucero, SanLorenzo ; J. W. Hays, 6821 Foothill Blvd.,Oakland.

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THE MEET-First Key Route boats, the "S an Jose" an d "Yerba Buena," make what became a traditional passing near a strangely denuded-looking "Goat Island" in 1905,two years after start of service. This rare photo is among mementos of James C.McBrien, 85 , AC Transit pensioner who had just gone to work on ne w ferry "S anFrancisco" when this picture wa s taken by his brother-in-law.

6 0 Years Ago: Start of the Key RouteTransportation history, which has

played an unequaled role in the development of the entire Bay area, continuedto capture the nostalgic interest of residents this month as another importantanniversary was observed.

The beginning of "Key Route" service60 years ago, on Oct. 23, 1903, was notedin newspaper stories that featured his

toric photographs collected by th e district, many of them published for th efirst time.

Th e stories reminded readers that theelectric train run, made without fanfarebu t with business-like precision, fromShattuck and Center in Berkeley to ane w ferry terminal in San Francisco Bay,started a new era in transit.

The fast, comfortable an d practicalservice-31 minutes from Berkeley to SanFrancisco-brought about developmentof the Key System and matching development of much of th e Bay area . It alsoformed the nucleus of today's bus network.

The complex, bu t fascinating transportation past of the Bay area also continued to attract widespread interestthrough an exhibit, which was extendeduntil the end of November, in store windows at 11th and Washington Sts. indowntown Oakland.

Th e exhibit was kept on view as resultof requests from residents, who wantedmore time to study transportation relics

which may never again be shown in ascomprehensive-and interesting-detail.

The exhibit was sponsored originallyby AC Transit an d historical railwaygroups to help commemorate the centuryof transportation progress that beganwith th e first steam train-ferry commuteservice in September, 1863.

It continued under its own colors, however, as a rare example of departed formsof transportation, recalled now in memory-and through th e efforts of collectorswho preserved photographs, equipmentan d other mementos showing train, streetcar, ferry boat and early motor coachservice days .

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RECOGNITION: Albany Mayor Joseph A. Egenberger, Jr., left, accepts a copy of ACTransit's annual report honoring City of Albany, from Robert M. Copeland, presi.dent of the district board. Vice Mayor Lewis M. Howell, center, looks on. City Council members also were given copies of the report in recognition of Albany's co

operation.

Albany Cited for AC Transit AssistanceTh e City of Albany was both thanked

an d honored by the district this monthfor cooperation given AC Transit during

its planning stages and since it has beenin actual operation.

Robert M. Copeland , president of th eboard, an d director William E. Berk, asrepresentative of Ward II, appeared ata meeting of th e Albany City Council toexpress the district's appreciation .

At th e same time, they representedMayor Joseph A. Egenberger , Jr., andmembers of th e Council with copies ofth e AC annual report for t he 1962-63year , which features Albany on th e cover.

Second East Bay community in alphabetical orde r to be recognized in th edistrict's annual reports for contributionto the development of the district , AI-

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bany is described from "past to pr esent"and its progress into a "city of homes."An artist's drawing made for the cover

shows a Transit Liner on Eastshore Freeway, with Golden Gate Fields an d Albany's view of th e bay in the background.

Copeland also told the Council of district plans for inauguration of a newintercity express Line 31, which will giveAlbany direct , limited -stop commuterservice with Richmond , EI Cerrito an ddowntown Oakland, sta r ting in December.

Extension of Line 33 from its Berkeleytermi nal to Richmond via Albany duringcommute hours an d routing of add itionaltransbay Line F buses down Solano Ave.to San Pablo Ave . will prov ide addedservice to Albany, Copeland explained .

..

Drivers Begin New Retraining ProgramBus operators, a few at a time, started

retraining this month on operational an dsafety problems, including some new"kinks" that have arisen since th e lastinstruction an d demonstration course indefensive driving was held in 1961.

Continuing along th e safety department's plan of taking six or seven me nat a time for classes an d on-the-scenepractice, th e retraining started with menfrom Emeryville and Seminary divisionsan d will continue with operators from

Richmond after th e first of the year.

The district cut its accident rate by23.2 per cent in September, as compared to the same month a year ago,General Manager K. F. Hensel reoported this month.

Complimenting the safe driving efforts of district operators, Hensel toldthe board of directors there were 149accidents in the month, in contrast to194 in September, 1962.

He also praised Emeryville divisiondrivers who, for the seventh monthin a row, have beaten the district'ssafe driving goal. In October, operators tallied 14,272 miles per accident,surpassing the most recently established goal of 12,450 miles. It wasraised last month from a previous

"bogey" of 12,100 miles as thereo

suit of safety records turned in by alldivisions.

Th e instruction began with five typesof accidents which are primary problemsfrom the standpoint of cost an d frequency : intersection , loading zone, sideswipe and clearance, rear-end and passenger fall mishaps.

Each will be discussed in detail , according to Safety Engineer G. G. Wadsworth, and will be followed by demonstrations.

New items to be covered includechanges in Bay Bridge operation, ho w

the new state hand brake law applies todistrict operations an d use of an d pass enger reaction to the new ai r -assist pushtype rear door exit .

Material to be given operators includesNational Safety Council pamphlets ofnight driving an d how to avoid two-carcrashes along with other data on basicmethods of making right turns and avoiding accident traps .

The district's 950 drivers recent ly completed retraining in fares, transfers,schedules, routes, an d operating practices.

Continuing is "man to man" instr uction on safe working methods to prevent"on th e job" accidents . Operators, one ata t ime, have been checked ou t on howto lower or raise th e bus seat safely andnow are being instructed in how to gripth e steering wh eel to prevent personalinjury . Mechanics have completed "howto lift" instruction an d are working onhand tool safety.

District Nears Top ofUnited Crusade Quota

AC Transit's 1963 United Crusade

campaign reached 94.6 pe r cent of itsquota this month, bu t kept right on goingwith a goal of 100 per cent participationand an "over th e top" record .

At the final progress report, John F.Larson told campaign officials th e district would continue its efforts to coverall of its 1,440 employees, including thoseon vacation , ou t on sick leave, retiringor entering servic e.

Chairmen of different district departments were lauded particularly for theirefforts in helping the district approach itsquota. Total cash an d pledges turned into Alameda County headquarters onNov . 14 was $13 ,322.

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Transit Archives Show Richmond's Growth

A request to Richmond city employeesto search "dusty archives" sparked ACTransit on a search of its own , with result the district was able to present thenewly enlarged Richmond Museum witha detailed history of street transportation in that area.

The material, along with a collectionof photographs, was presented to ThomasRyan, president of the city's museum association, by William E. Berk, Ric hmondmember on the district's board of directors.

The information also will be madeavailable to the city's library and schooldepartments as an unusual record ofvalue to historians an d students of Richmond's street ca r an d motor coach history.

I t was Berk's request for data on thecity's transit past that led to a searchthrough old - and appropriately dusty

books an d records.Although many records were destroyed

before AC Transit took over the KeySystem network, a few forgotten binderswere discovered in bas ement storagewhen the general offices were movedfrom 1106 Broadway to the LathamSquare Building at 16th and Telegraph.

The binders contained handwrittennotes made by the late W . E . Gardiner,who went to work for the Oakland Railroad Co. in 1895 an d during the next 42y ea rs , kept careful records on street car,train and motor coach operations .

His history on East Bay transportation ,published in old Key Note magazines,is now a collector's item , bu t d i ~no t go

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beyond the start of electric trolley servicein the early 1890's. The notes, however,

continued until hisretirement

fromthe

Key System in 1937.From his notes, an d from material

gathered in equal detail by the late JohnR. Worthington, first general managerof AC Transit, has come a mass of information on Richmond's important rolein transportation an d subsequent EastBay development.

Richmond got off to a late start: itwasn't until 1900 that developers discovered the advantages of deep water offits shore an d interested Santa Fe in making its terminal at Point Richmond . Th eStandard Oil Refinery followed, alongwith other industries. And in 10 years,the city had a booming population of12,000.

According to Gardiner's notes, the firstlocal transportation was provided by theEast Shore an d Suburban Railway inJuly, 1903, when a street car, built in1891 and purchased from San Francisco,ra n on a single track from the "Oil Worksto 17th and Macdonald."

Other records place the start of service in 1904, with three cars and threemiles of track.

By 1911, when East Shore an d Suburban became a part of the Key Systemnetwork organized by Francis M. "Borax"Smith, street car lines included the Macdonald Ave . line , 6t h an d 23rd St. crosstown lines , main line to Oakland, abranch to San Pablo, another to EastRichmond and a line on Ohio St.

Lik e other East bay cities, Richmond

Ua

also had its own ferry boat service,started to San Rafael in 1916 and by theSouthern Pacific, to San Francisco, in1925. Line 63, operating from 23rd an dMacdonald Ave., ra n along GarrardBlvd. and through the tunnel to th e eastof the present Richmond plunge to serve

FIRST TRANSIT - By 1911Richmond had street cars asshown in view above. Atright, same cars on Macdonald Ave. with other"traffic" at Sixth St. East Shore and Suburban car,below, shares subway under S.P. tracks with sportyauto.

CITY STARTS-This is how Richmo 'ndlooked in 1900, before Santa Fe andStandard Oil took advantage of deepoff-shore water to develop shippingterminals.

the latter ferry, which gave up its ghostlywake after 10 years. Street cars took footpassengers to the San Rafael ferry until1928 an d buses continued to serve th eboats until 1952 .

Richmond knew its biggest transit heyda y in World Wa r II, when it was ashipbuilding center. A special shipyardrailway was constructed to take thousands of workers to an d from th e yards,while motor coach lines-and even ferryboat service-were operated to handlethe sudden boom.

With the end of the war, th e Key System began pulling in its lines, until th edistrict took over in 1960, reversing thepicture and beginning a new programof development which has given the areaincreasing service to meet its own increasing needs.

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Freddie Off For Better Life - - in Niles '

The district's first and, it is hoped, onlyalligator has moved on to a fuller life onth e "Nile ," just as the supervisor he wasnamed for left for his own brand of"paradise."

"Fred," th e alligator, was given to areptile expert in the city of Niles, wherehe is expected to lead a more promisingexistance among others of his species.

W. L. "Pete" Dodson, safety supervisor who took the alligator home to hissix childr en at 16702 Rolando Ave., SanLeandro , after it was abandoned on aLine 74 bus, said he was so glad to finda n ew home for th e pe t , he didn't waitto get the name or other details aboutthe new owner.

Although "Fred" hadn ' t grown noticeably beyond his original 12 inches, Pete

IN MEMORIAMEdwin L. Markham , 33 , was killed in

Reno Oct. 12, as a tragic en d to his vacation. Markham, a bus driver with 18years of service, was fatally slashed during a robbery attempt.

Markham, who lived at 1110 Oak St. ,Alameda , was a hunting and fishing enthusiast an d

was amember

ofth e Key

Rod and Gun Club, th e Foothill Sportsmen's Association and th e Sportsmen ofCalifornia. He is survived by his widow,Thelma, four daughters and six grandchildren.

Pensioners, whose deaths have beenreported, include:

Frank J. Levera,90 , former street caroperator, who died Oct. 10 in SantaRosa. He entered service in 1908 and waspensioned in 1934.

Manuel E. Costa, 83, of 7206 HallidayAve. , Oakland, street car operator, whowent to work in 1920 and retired in 1948.He died Nov. 11.

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found he required special attention, likewater at an even warmish temperature.

"W e had to be careful he didn't catchpneumonia and he turned out to bequite a lot of trouble," according to Dodson. He disclaims reports, though, thathe took a bite out of one of th e Dodsonchildren.

"I t was just a little nip," he explained .

Th e alligator was named for veteransupervisor Fred Hymes, who retired at

th e same time to devote his abilities toproducing variety shows-a pleasurablebranch of "show biz."

Workers Plan Switch

To Retirement Rolls

Four veteran workers ar e switchingfrom active AC Transit service to th epension rolls, ending years of transportation work.

Pensioned Nov . 1 was Gilbert W .Moorehead, motor coach operator of 138Covington St ., Oakland, who went towork in 1941.

Also retiring on th e same date wasFrank P. Murphy, 431 38th St ., Oakland,veteran bus driver who went to work under the "Key" banner in 1935 after driving for West Oakland Motor Bus Lines.

Taking his pension on Dec. 1 will beClarence E. Snideman, 4015 Howe St .,Apt. K, Oakland , who went to work asa conductor on the street cars in 1924.He served as a bus operator, clerk, dispatcher and was assistant dispatcher atth e time of his retirem ent.

Du e for pension Jan. 1 , 1964, is JackMorando, 1866 Pleasant Valley Ave.,Oakland, wh o has worked for the maintenance department since 1943, retiringas a mechanic .

AC Transit is proud to reprint below a few of the many letters of commendationreceived during the month - letters unsolicited from residents of the East Bay whoare owners of the transit system. Letters were selected at random to represent thequality of courtesy, service and safety demonstrated by AC personnel in their mostimportl nt relationship with our customers.

- I t occurs to m e - a daily train or buscommuter for the past 15 years, that it's

never been so good, as it is at present.Perhaps the "Old Key" was as progressive as they came, in those long gonedays. But they could take lessons anytime from ACT. You've done a wonderful job. I've said it before, in writingto you; it's worth repeating .. .

Paul MagilliganBerkeley

* * *I wish to congratulate you on the new

arrangement for traffic on th e bay bridge!. . . I go to San Francisco often, have noauto, hence have not been on upper deckfor an age. Many thanks for th e goodservice, it is wonderful.

Mrs. Ida HillBerkeley

* * *. You not only publish good maps

and up-to-date timetables, something unheard of in many cities , bu t you are ablewith very few exceptions . . . to stick toth e schedules. Th e bus drivers are usually courteous an d helpful. Your telephone information service is a wonderfulidea and has been very useful to me. Ialso appreciate the express buses, withtheir green flags, which help yo u to seethem coming . .. I hope to be an ever increasing rider and fa n of AC Transit.

Goodwin SamuelBerkeley

.. . among the passengers was an el -derly lady who apparently was confused

an d tired. She said she wanted to go toCastro Valley. Your driver (D . E. SWINFORD) was extremely patient and advisedher how best to get there . . . she abruptlyleft the bus an d was in an incoherentstate. Your driver alighted and kindlytalked her back aboard. He told me hewould place her in the hands of a supervisor, who would see to it that she gothome. This man made me glad that I ama member of the same species he is . . .

Robert W . MedlandHayward

* * *I feel that I should inform you of th e

great kindness and consideration givenan elderly woman by driver 1913 (0 . L.ARMS) on a 75 bus in Berkel ey. He r

many friends appreciate his conc ern.Mrs . Elizabeth DeanBerkeley

* * *I had occasion to ride your Foothill

bus and your bus driver (H . E . FU L -BRIGHT) was the most courteous , smilingand accommodating ma n I have everseen on your lines . . . Tw o people ha doccasion to run for the bus an d he waitedfor them . . . he greeted everyone witha very pleasant smile and was most gracious . . .

Mrs. Patricia G. GerkeCastro Valley

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. ,~ I ~ , ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ; , ~:::::: . , " ~

At an adjourned meeting October 23,

1963, th e Board of Directors:

Adopted transbay fares for specialservice to Golden Gate Fields, on motion of Director Bettencourt.

Authorized General Manager to attend program planning meeting in LosAngeles for 1964 regional conference ofAmerican Transit Assn., on motion ofVice President Coburn.

Approved new commuter expressLine 31 and extension of existing expressLine 33 during commute hours, on motion of Vice President Coburn .

Authorized establishment of expressLine 38 and revision of service on Line46, on motion of Director Bettencourt.

Authorized extension of additionaltrips on Line F from Solano Ave. andThe Alameda to Solano and San PabloAve.; extension of service on Line L toprovide additional commuter trips be -tw e en San Francisco and EI Sobrante,on motion of Vice President Coburn.

* * *At the regular meeting November 13,

1963, th e Board of Directors:

T R A N S I T T I M E S

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit DistrictLatham Square BuildingOakland 12, California

Return Requested

TRANSIT TIMESPublished monthly by th e

ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICTLatham Square Building 508 Sixteenth StreetOakland 12 , Cal i forn ia ' Telephone 654-7878

BOARD OF DIRECTORSROBERT M. COPELAND . , President

Director ot L arge

WILLIAM H. COBURN, JR . Vice PresidentWard I

RAY H. RINEHARTWILLIAM E. BERK .JOHN McDONNELL .WM. J. BETTENCOURT E. GUY WARREN

Director at LargeWard IIWard II IWard IVWard V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSKENNETH F. HENSEl General ManagerROBERT E. NISBET. AttorneyJOHN F. LARSON . Treasurer-ControllerGEORGE M. TAYlOR . . . . . SecretaryALAN l. BINGHAM . Public Information Manager~ ___________ ~ 9 ____________ ~

Authorized General Manager to negotiate charter bus agreement withWhite Front Stores for special shuttleservice, on motion of Vice PresidentCoburn.

Approved District membership innew California Association of PubliclyOwned Transit Systems providing othermajor transit operators also becomemembers, on motion of Vice PresidentCoburn.

BULK RATE

U.S. PO STAGE

PAIDPermit No . 2105Oakland, Calif .

BARB ARA .1 H'Hl,":\ILIB RARI A~ , B J :