City of Alameda – AC Transit ILC
October 25, 2023 Meeting Notes
1. Roll Call/Welcome and Introductions
Councilmember Tony Daysog, Councilmember Tracy Jensen, Director Sarah Syed, Director Chris Peeples (chair)
Meeting started at 9:02 a.m.
2. Announcements/Public Comments
None
3. Notes from the Previous ILC Meeting (July 20, 2023)
None
4. AC Transit Redistricting
Linda Nemeroff: Update on AC Transit's redistricting process. The District is undergoing this effort to comply with the Voting Rights Act, so we will be transitioning from a hybrid system (i.e., five ward and two at-large elections) to an entirely wardbased system (seven wards). An outside demographer was hired to help facilitate the process and draw the new ward boundaries. AC Transit Board is expected to adopt an ordinance on December 13, 2023. The transition to a seven-ward system will occur over the 2024 and 2026 election cycles. There has been a lot of outreach, including six multilingual community workshops (virtual and in-person). The fourth public hearing is being held tonight (October 25) at 6pm. The public can review the interactive map/draft plans on the AC Transit website. Comments can be submitted by email, voicemail, attending a public hearing, or in writing. For Alameda in particular, all redistricting plans that are being considered have the City kept whole.
Councilmember Jensen: Will the current five ward Directors have continuity in their ward?
Director Peeples: All the five members in a ward will pretty much stay in their ward.
Will not be redistricted out of their wards. However, depending on sequencing of elections, some may be out of office for 2 years. The transition will be phased in between 2024 and 2026.
Councilmember Jensen: There would be no vacancies for representation though? Director Peeples: Correct
Councilmember Daysog: Appreciate keeping the City of Alameda intact. In looking at the plans, the bulk of the plans link Alameda to Downtown Oakland, which we appreciate as well. What about linking to Fruitvale BART or Oakland Airport as well? Director Syed: As our wards are getting smaller, we're still seeing significant improvements in connectivity for Alameda, among the redistricting options being considered. I've been reviewing Alameda's transportation plans as I've been thinking through this process.
5. AC Transit's Next Generation Transbay Bus
Cecil Blandon: AC Transit, with significant input from the General Managers' Access Committee, has designed this new MCI transbay commuter bus. The District bought 36 of these vehicles, but due to the pandemic there have been delays in getting the vehicles here. 28 vehicles are currently deployed across the District. Older designed vehicles had a lift, which could be a little uncomfortable for passengers using wheelchairs. This new low-floor vestibule design is easier to board, like our low-floor local buses. Other features include two-door entry, 52 seats on the vehicle, threeposition bike rack, jetliner-type design, 30" wide ramp, and one-touch automated wheelchair securement that allows passengers to secure themselves.
Director Peeples: We designed this bus - our accessibility advisory committee provided direct input to the New Flyer engineers.
Councilmember Jensen: Is it all electric?
Cecil Blandon: Its diesel equipped since there was no zero-emission bus that met the range capacity we needed at the time.
Councilmember Jensen: How many people do the old Transbay buses seat? Cecil Blandon: Depends on model - one model seated 54, another seated 36.
Councilmember Jensen: Are other agencies, nationally or internationally, using this model?
Cecil Blandon: Yes, they're being used in Phoenix and some other cities are interested as well.
Councilmember Jensen: Hopefully they'll get an electric model soon. Good step forward for accessibility access.
Director Peeples: This kind of bus is hard to do electric since they do longer distances at freeway speeds. New Flyer is working on doing a hydrogen fuel cell version specifically for longer distance travel.
6. Alameda Transit Project Measure BB Transportation Expenditure Plan Gail Payne: We'd like to repurpose the project funds in Measure BB intended for the Alameda to Fruitvale BART Rapid Bus. We can use this $9M in Alameda to improve bus operations and safety. In 2017, we requested it for bus only lanes on Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy. We would like to repurpose that money to improve bus operations, increase safety, and reduce flooding on bus routes. We'll look at where improvements along routes may be needed as AC Transit is going through the Realign process, look at improvements that fit in with the City's roundabout analysis, and consider the Westline bus queue jump lane from the Transportation Choices Plan.
Also, Alameda is actively involved in looking at climate change and sea level rise, so as we're going through our street and safety improvement projects, streets with bus routes are our highest priority for where we're looking to implement bioretention areas and other improvements to reduce flooding. The purpose from bringing this topic up today is just to initiate the discussion.
Councilmember Daysog: Will the funds still be linked to Alameda Point? Gail Payne: Doesn't necessarily have to be. It could be, we just need to figure out what's the best use of the money.
Councilmember Daysog: Site A project is supposed to contribute to a BRT.
Gail Payne: We'll take the Alameda Point connection into consideration of course.
Director Syed: What's the timeline for making changes to the expenditure plan? Gail Payne: We will just have to work with ACTC, likely over the next year.
Director Syed: Has any analysis been done on the demand and travel patterns to Fruitvale BART? We're also engaged in the Transit 2050 Plan and looking at what's needed in the region. This funding was envisioned as a BRT corridor, but is there still a market for that? Would be curious to see if that market is still there.
Councilmember Jensen: Will part of this still support BRT, and then add improvements to streets/infrastructure?
Gail Payne: It will just be used to help bus operations in some way.
Director Peeples: How will you get the real estate to do roundabouts that can accommodate bus movements?
Gail Payne: Roundabouts will only be considered at limited locations. For example, in the back of the tubes by the Target and the gas station where Line 96 runs. There's real estate there that we can work with, where we can make improvements to help deal with flooding.
7. Alameda Transportation Status Report
Lisa Foster: City Council is working on a Strategic Plan for the next 3 years. One of the goals is to advocate for AC Transit service enhancements in Alameda Point and Northern Waterfront. In terms of citywide planning, we're working on an ADA selfevaluation and transition plan which will include access improvements to bus stops.
We're also working on parking management/curb zones on Park and Webster for early 2024. The City's water shuttle pilot will start summer 2024, just need to purchase a boat tailored to the service. The Free Bus Pass program is going great. New benches have also been installed at bus stops throughout the City. Capital projects include:
Cross Alameda Trail, signal improvements along Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy, Clement Ave extension/Tilden Way, Jean Sweeney connectors, Alameda Point Adaptive Reuse, Pan Am and Midway will reopen next year, Park and Webster restriping (will retain one lane in each direction, try to eliminate double parking, add a bike lane), Grand St resurfacing, Central Ave safety improvement, Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific, Oakland-Alameda Estuary Bridge, and pavement management.
Director Peeples: On the Cross-Alameda Trail project- is that bike, pedestrians, all the above?
Lisa Foster: It's a 4-mile route with protected bike infrastructure and walkways. Varies on what the full facility actually is - some parts are off-street trails, some parts are projected cycle track with traffic calming.
Director Syed: Question about the Strategic Plan - what were the priorities for Realign?
Lisa Foster: One of Council's goals is to invest in transit infrastructure and advocate for service enhancements in Alameda Point and Northern Waterfront.
8. AC Transit Ridership and Complaints with Actual Missed Runs Crystal Wang: Attachment shows the performance summary for lines operating in Alameda, for May through August 2023. Ridership has remained steady over the last few months, but there were some increases on Lines 51A and O. The Line 78 pilot was ended in August which is why we see that ridership drop off, and the 631, 663, and 687 are school routes which is why those are showing zeros in June and July. In terms of productivity, most of these lines are right where they should be when compared with the productivity of similar route types systemwide. The two that continue to stand out as underperforming are Line 19 and Line OX. For on-time performance (OTP), our OTP standard is 72%, so some of these lines haven't been meeting that standard during this timeframe.
Director Syed: I've been hearing from customers about the OTP of Line 96 - what is the duration of the construction, and are we making adjustments to improve service during the detour?
Crystal Wang: I believe we'll be on detour into January 2024. We've been trying our best to make route and schedule adjustments to improve reliability and service based on customer comments received throughout the detour. For example, we've added a few stops near the Alameda Food Bank.
Councilmember Jensen: Are the new MCIs deployed on any Alameda lines? Sal Llamas: O, OX, W
9. AC Transit Network Realignment Plan Update
Michael Eshleman: On November 1, the AC Transit Board will receive a presentation introducing three draft service plan scenarios that highlight separate alternatives for the bus routes and schedules that make up the AC Transit network. This meeting will serve as the launching date of our Phase 3 Engagement window as we present three preliminary service plan scenarios. The three scenarios are 1) the Balanced Coverage Scenario; 2) the Frequent Service Scenario; and 3) the Unconstrained Vision Scenario. The first two scenarios are based on AC Transit’s current level of resources (cost-neutral). The third scenario will showcase a transit service vision that could be realized with additional resources (buses, operators, divisions/bus yards). Since early this year, as part of AC Transit Realign, we solicited, heard, and incorporated input on essential transit needs and priorities. From what we heard, we established Equity, Reliability, and Frequency as guiding principles to shape the future of our transit network.
Maria Henderson: We're seeking comments on the preliminary scenarios between November 1 through December 13 to help inform the development of a single, preferred service plan for implementation in August 2024. In Alameda we will be introducing the preliminary service plan scenarios at the following meetings along with a couple of pop-up events: 11/8 virtually at Alameda Chamber, 11/15 at the Alameda Transportation Commission, 12/5 at the Alameda City Council/Board of Education meeting, 12/13 at the Alameda Commission on Persons with Disabilities. We ask that you all please help share this information with your constituents. More information at actransit.org/realign.
Director Peeples: In terms of an unconstrained vision, we recently got notified that all our buses are going to cost about 40% more. We will likely need a new division as well. There are major dollars ($90-130 million) in consideration here.
Councilmember Daysog: Thank you for the extensive amount of outreach in Alameda.
Director Syed: MTC is currently talking about a regional transit financial plan, recommending distribution of emergency operating funding. MTC will be taking action in December, which could guide what kind of service we have in the future. I do think we need to rally in support of transit. The MTC staff recommendation is to revert back to 2021 service levels as the standard moving forward (essentially cutting service).
Other transit agencies are going to be affected as well. Would be helpful to get support from the City to help avoid service cuts. Things are happening externally that will dictate what AC Transit is ultimately able to do.
Councilmember Jensen: Population is increasing in Alameda, so we definitely wouldn't want to see service cuts.
Councilmember Daysog: To summarize, we need to mobilize and let MTC know that service cuts should be avoided.
Beverly Greene: We continue to have active discussions with MTC. Agency operators are in lots of discussions with MTC, and it's useful to hear directly from the communities.
10. Free Bus Pass Pilot Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities Update Gail Payne: We run a pilot program out of our paratransit reserve funds from Measure BB. This program provides free EasyPasses for seniors and low-income people with disabilities. The City also has as a TNC concierge program. There are currently 500 active users of the senior pass program, taking 15,000 trips per month. What I would love to see is other jurisdictions doing something similar. These are trips being taken off-peak, by the most vulnerable populations. When we go to Council this time next year, assuming the numbers still look good, staff intends to recommend that we make this a permanent program. As the number of rides increases, the number of unique riders also increases.
Councilmember Daysog: 500+ unique riders, but 750 passes? Gail Payne: Some passes are not active.
Director Peeples: Would be great if we could get other cities to implement a program like this as well. What is your experience with Uber and Lyft making wheelchair accessible vehicles available?
Gail Payne: It's challenging but getting better with Uber WAV. Eden I&R is the concierge vendor and they have specific drivers they can work with. Full accessibility is not quite there yet, but we're working on it and trying to make it better.
Director Peeples: Lyft still has no WAVs.
11. New Development/Transportation Management Association Update Gail Payne: Andrew Thomas couldn't make it, he's been working on negotiations between ATMA and AC Transit to look at how ATMA funds can best be used to improve transit.
12. Bench Installation at Bus Stops
Gail Payne: 22 benches were installed throughout the City in Summer 2023. Big thank you to Trey Hannula, Climate Fellow.
Councilmember Jensen: The benches look really nice, haven't seen any maintenance issues yet.
13. Transit Supportive Design Guidelines
Crystal Wang: This effort is an update to our 2018 Multimodal Design Guidelines.
We’re updating the document to include design guidelines for paratransit operations, improvements to the passenger and pedestrian environment, and other transit considerations like layover space. We're still in the early stages - recently we've been providing introductory presentations to various groups. The first Technical Advisory Committee meeting, which will consist of representatives from all the jurisdictions in our service area, will be scheduled soon. At the first meeting we hope to get feedback on the Guidelines outline. For Alameda, we'll want to go to the Transportation Commission most likely early 2024, when we'll have a first draft of the guidelines and more actual content to present. The final guidelines document is expected to be completed by Spring 2024.
14. Next Meetings
Thursday, January 1830, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Michael Eshleman: Tentative plan is to have a Realign public hearing on January 24.
May want to consider rescheduling the January ILC to after the public hearing.
Tammy Kyllo: Will switch the January 18 meeting to January 30.
15. Agenda Planning Requests
16. Announcements/Public Comments
a. Gail Payne: Thank you to Director Peeples for 26 years of service. b. Director Peeples: AC Transit was recently awarded the APTA Outstanding Public Transportation System for our category.
17. Adjournment to Transbay Bus Site Tour
Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.