Buslines_JULY_Flipbook_30pages

JUL 2019 VOL.10 BRT Luciano Lopez’s Continues to Pave the Way The Salesforce Transit Center Reopens Soon Honoring VP Elsa Ortiz New Local Fares Coming July 1 International Bus Roadeo GRAND CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Legistar Heard Around the World Heat Illness Prevention Know the Signs Recruitment Goes Mobile A Salute TO RETIREE’S

NEW LOCAL FARES COMING JULY 1 In order to continue providing safe and cash will receive an even higher discount efficient bus service, AC Transit Board of beginning on July 1. As a result, Clipper Directors has adopted a new fare schedule fare payments will continue to offer the in anticipation of increasing operational best value for AC Transit customers. Riders costs. As part of this five-year plan, AC will save $0.25 on an Local Adult Single Transit will adjust the cost of local fares fare, and $0.50 on an Adult Day Pass, and passes on Monday, July 1, 2019. which offers unlimited rides for one flat fare. Complete fare and pass prices are Discounts for Clipper users are better than outlined in the fare table below: ever. Customers who use Clipper instead of FARES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2019 Cash Fares $2.50 Clipper Fares $2.25 Single ride local - Adult $1.25 Single ride local - Adult $1.12 Single ride local - $5.50 Single ride local - $5.50 Senior/Youth/Disabled $2.75 Senior/Youth/Disabled $2.75 Transbay - Adult Transbay - Adult Transbay - Transbay - Senior/Youth/Disabled Senior/Youth/Disabled Day Passes - On the Bus Passes - Available Only with Cash, or on Clipper on Clipper Adult $5.50 Local 31-Day Pass - Adult $84.60 Senior/Youth/Disabled $2.75 Local 31 Day Pass - Youth $34.00 RTC Card Transbay 31 Day Pass - Adult $198.00 Monthly Sticker $34.00 Local monthly pass - $34.00 Senior/Disabled

GM’s LE T TE R General Manager Mike Hursh In this edition of BUSLINES, we profile how Operator Luciano Lopez is living his best life, despite the hardship and misfortunes of early life. Editor & Creative Director Luciano is exceptionally candid about his past, and you’ll be riveted Robert Lyles to learn how the influence of one person completely changed the trajectory of this very special operator. Graphic Design & Layout Artist Thomas Scott This edition also introduces the all-new Mobile Recruitment Lab. Formerly a 24-foot El Dorado Paratransit coach, it’s now reimagined Contributors as an effective new tool for the Human Resources Department. Jessica Alvarez Claudia Burgos Speaking of recruitment, BUSLINES also highlights the District’s second Yvonne Castro widespread recruitment effort in three years. Appearing on live Michael Flocchini television proved beneficial during our first campaign in 2016, so we Jelena Harada are returning to the airwaves. This time, our advertisements feature Steven Jones the faces and voices of you and your colleagues. Julia Kocs In this month’s BUSLINES, we also proudly feature Jesse Dela Cruz, Nathaniel Kramer Sean Burr, Miguel Lopez, and Alvin Tan. Standouts individually but collectively the nation now identifies each name as one of the APTA Ron Lee International Bus Roadeo Grand Champions. Linda Nemeroff Ramakrishna Pochiraju Success is not only the running theme of this edition, but each article demonstrates how either an individual, unrelenting focus, split-second James Souza decisions, even technology are what our coworkers are using to build David Wilkins success. Join me as we celebrate them and perhaps find our own success in their stories. Mike Hursh General Manager

14 COVER FEATURE RIGHT SIDE UP Luciano Lopez’s Promise to Keep 13 WE ZIG 12 BRT WHEN THEY Continues to ZAG Pave the Way

22 HEADLINES 08 07 STC SCHEDULED TO REOPEN 28 13 WE ZIG WHEN THEY ZAG PLANNING & ENGINEERING 12 BRT CONTINUES TO PAVE WAY HUMAN RESOURCES 10 UNPLUGGING HR 20 WE ARE HIRING FEATURE 14 RIGHT SIDE UP TRAINING & EDUCATION 28 MAKING SENSE OF TRANSIT 28 TRAINING PURE ENERGY TRANSPORTATION & MAINTENANCE 22 INTERNATIONAL BUS ROADEO 08 HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION RETIREMENT SYSTEM 29 RETIREMENT SALUTE DISTRICT SECRETARY 27 PORTAL HEARD AROUND THE WORLD BOARD OF DIRECTORS 26 ELSA ORTIZ

PUTTING OBSTACLE COURSE CLOSEST TO PIN CONTEST LONG DRIVE CONTEST A CHANCE TO WIN: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS TICKETS GOLD DUST WEST - CARSON CITY 2 NIGHTS & DINNER FOR 2 GOLF BAGS - WEDGES, WOODS & PUTTERS GOLF PUSH-PULL CARTS Contacts: Josette Moss Ext 2571 [email protected] Carlos Leyva Ext 8293 [email protected]

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 HEADLINES STC IS NOW SCHEDULED TO REOPEN It has been nine months since the photographs and performed physical month’s long inspection process. Second, inspections. When necessary, the several sign-ups have transpired since discovery of cracks in two steel beams structural steel was exposed, conditions the transit center’s closing. This means supporting the Salesforce Transit Center’s observed, and tests conducted to satisfy our Bus Operators must be afforded the bus deck. Now after an exhaustive review that potential concerns were alleviated. opportunity to familiarize and retrain on of the entire facility, an independent the dedicated bus ramp and bus deck. panel of engineers and experts concludes The Transbay Joint Powers Authority Additionally, both the Scheduling and it is safe to resume bus service at the (TJPA) is now conducting final testing IT departments will need to recalibrate transit center. of the building operating systems, Hastus Daily to ensure runs, routes, and which include final inspections by the schedules synchronize. Last, we want The Metropolitan Transportation San Francisco Fire Marshall to facilitate to provide sufficient notice to riders, Commission (MTC), Mayors Libby reopening to the public by July 1st. outlining the transfer of service back to Schaaf and London Breed, and AC the transit center. Transit’s Board of Directors sought However, resuming operations of our assurances that the beams were not 26 Transbay Lines and 4 Early Bird The District anticipates resuming service only repaired but also reinforced. As a Express Lines, into the transit center, in August. During training and beyond, result, the five-member Peer-Review will require slightly more time. First, staff should have full confidence in a Committee conducted a facility- the TJPA has to release the bus deck safe, strong and sustainable transit wide review: painstakingly combing to AC Transit; this includes clearing the center for decades to come. through fabrication details, design bus deck of ceiling panels and column stresses, inspection reports, review of covers disassembled by crews during the July 2019 | actransit.org | 07

TRANSPORTATION & MAINTENANCE BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 TOO HOT? STAY COOL. STAY HYDRATED. STAY INFORMED. We all look forward to the lazy- Drink Water hazy-crazy days of summer. However, • Frequent water consumption – up to 4 cups per the same summer sun that bronzes our hour (under extreme work and heat conditions). skin, is the same summer sun that can send onboard temperatures • A 32 oz. Sports Water Bottle will be issued to soaring. As a result, the District has every Operator and Road Supervisor or provide activated its Hydration and Heat your own 32 oz. bottle. Illness Prevention Plan. The Plan emphasizes the importance of hydration • Water can be replenished at each Division, with and cooling time: especially those field supervisor, at layover locations, public or working within Division shops, service islands, yards, private locations where a safe stop can be made. storerooms, the CMF warehouse and all employees exposed to the outdoor heat. The Heat Prevention • Road Supervisor vehicles carry a supply of water Plan equally focuses on the onboard safety of bottles at a moderate temperature. Operators. Air-Conditioned Bus Here are highlights for proper hydration, heat illness symptoms, and cooling recommendations. • The bus air conditioning system will reduce the onboard ambient temperature by 15 degrees. • Assuming the outside temperature is 100 degrees, it may be 85 degrees onboard. It will feel cooler and more comfortable inside the bus than outside. • The air conditioning system is designed to draw air from inside the bus cabin, filter the air, then 08| actransit.org | July 2019

process it to extract the heat (it does not actually Signs of Heat Illness cool/freeze the air) and then push the treated air back into the bus cabin. • Extreme fatigue • Note, opening doors and windows will • Muscle cramps affect the temperature inside the bus. • Hot dry skin that may be red, mottled or bluish • Keeping all windows closed will maintain the coach’s cooler temperature. • Mental confusion Non-Air-Conditioned Bus • Dizziness • Operators experiencing temperatures approaching • Loss of consciousness 80 degrees shall monitor the thermometer; on the panel behind the operator. • Cool, moist and pale skin • Operators must read the thermometer only while • Nausea or vomiting the coach is stopped and secured. • Profuse sweating or no sweating at all • When the onboard ambient temperature reaches 80 degrees, Operators shall contact OCC and • Immediately report any signs of heat illness to the advise of conditions. OCC (via ACT radio or 510.891.4901) • OCC will contact the appropriate Division and Detailed information can be reviewed in the arrange for a coach exchange or remove the coach Hydration and Heat Illness Prevention Program for from service. Bus Operators. You can easily access this report on MYACT. July 2019 | actransit.org | 09

HR When everyone thought transportation UNPLUGGING network companies (TNCs) had cornered on- demand transit, the District introduced our own on-demand Flex service. When everyone pondered how to expand seating, the District literally raised the roof and introduced double- decker coaches. As everyone continues to drive applicants to a website, the District is now driving recruitment to applicants! Introducing AC Transit’s first-ever Mobile Recruitment Lab. The District has unplugged the Human Resources Department and put staff recruiters on the road aboard a coach that embodies innovation and conservation. In fact, this retired coach has been repurposed from its tires to flooring, to safety features. Its bright and attractive external wrap beckons job seekers to step inside and pursue their new career. Once inside, all-new video monitors, displaying a slide show of our colleagues, translate job descriptions into real people. Now applicants can envision their new role at the District. State of the art wireless technology, laptop computers – supported by a generator – new desks and newly upholstered seating, emulating AC Transit’s iconic brand, round out its innovative features. Mobile Recruitment Lab 10 | actransit.org | July 2019

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 HUMAN RESOURCES The Mobile Recruitment Lab has been in Step-in and take a tour of the Mobile development for half-a-year and demonstrates Recruitment Lab at any of one of these AC Transit’s team collaborations which called community events. upon Human Resources, CMF technicians, • July 4th – Alameda 4th of July Parade Marketing, IT, Transportation and External • July 27th - Art & Soul Downtown Oakland Affairs. • August 3rd - Fremont Festival of the Arts • August 20th – Laurel Street Fair – Oakland The Mobile Recruitment Lab’s maiden voyage • September 8th - Oakland Pride Festival was during this year’s 110th Annual San Leandro • September 7th – Castro Valley Fall Festival Cherry Festival and Parade. It will continue to roll • October 5th – Oakland Black Cowboy each week this summer as the District continues to seek out the Bay Area’s best and brightest Association new employees. • November 3rd – Dia De Los Muertos (Fruitvale) July 2019 | actransit.org | 11

PLANNING & ENGINEERING BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 BRT CONTINUES TO PAVE THE WAY Our revolution in transit, the BRT project, remains energizing and activating platform controller cabinets and portions of the new signal and street on time and on budget for completion during the light systems. Final design plans are pending holiday seasons 2019. In fact, the District recently approval and permitting by Caltrans and City of received the green light from the City of Oakland to Oakland, for the Northern Layover. Crews have also begin Stage 1 construction in Downtown Oakland. started preconstruction activities to modernize the San Leandro Transit Center and build the Construction along the project corridor is BRT southern terminal station. Both projects are progressing from 42 Avenue south, to the San expected to be completed in the fall. Leandro Transit Center, and 42nd Avenue north to Lake Merritt. The BRT construction crews now have Here are some fun facts to consider. Since the start 34 of 46 platforms in either construction or interim of BRT construction we’ve… condition status. Atop the platforms, 18 canopies – which will house iconic artwork – are installed, • Built 418 curb ramps including the first 48-footer that will soon open • Paved 4 miles of roadway as the 73rd Avenue Station. Once PGE completes • Installed new or upgraded 50 Traffic Signal electrical service, 26 platforms (6 in San Leandro and 20 in Oakland) comprising 19 BRT stations intersections will be ready for the final stage of construction: • Installed 6 miles of conduit ready for pulling fiber installing concrete “topping” slab and other platform • Built 21 BRT station platforms amenities. • Installed 18 canopies Curbside and median improvements have progressed to interim condition status from 42nd Avenue to the San Leandro Transit Center; with the exception of Zone 9 from 52nd Avenue to 65th Avenue (note: that zone did not start until December 2018). Street signage and roadway striping from 42nd Avenue to Durant Avenue has also been newly installed. Additional curbside and median improvements, from Lake Merritt to Derby Avenue in the Eastlake and San Antonio Districts, and from 33rd Avenue to 42nd Avenue in the Fruitvale District are ongoing. In this construction zone, 12 of BRT’s 14 platforms are in construction or interim condition status. Installation of the fiber communications conduit and the fiber optic cable is underway throughout the length of the corridor. The contractor is also 12 | actransit.org | July 2019

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 HEADLINES This spring, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) tasked agencies around the state and across the country to participate in the Get On Board for Public Transit campaign. This national day of awareness and advocacy placed particular focus on increasing support for public transportation among riders, non-riders, elected officials and transit stakeholders. So we decided to zig when the others zagged. In fact, where other transit agencies placed logos on their coaches or offered giveaways, AC Transit was the only transit agency to meet with California’s top elected official, Governor Gavin Newsom, to garner his support for this campaign. We discovered Governor Newsom was not only familiar with AC Transit’s industry-leading efforts toward cleaner air, via zero emission coaches, but believes our efforts will serve as a template for the world to follow. Below is a highlight of the Governor’s interview: FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT APRIL 25, 2019 July 2019 | actransit.org | 13

Judge Framklin Stephenson in a Stockton, CA courtroom on August 24, 2010 Courtesy: Recordnet.com 14 | actransit.org | July 2019

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FEATURE BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 ometimes our upbringings are idyllic. “I was in and out of jail Sometimes our lives are far from perfect. Sometimes both as a youth and as an adult.” an influencer enters our lives to help steer our personal narrative. Sometimes we independently Lou’s life had devolved into a vicious cycle tear out the last few pages of our life story and write of drug addiction, arrests, and stints in jail. By a new ending. Rarely, however, do we experience an 2008, he was facing serious prison time and the influencer who then gives us both the pen and paper courts were poised to writing-off the last chapter to write the right side up our lives. Luciano “Lou” on his young life. Lopez is that rare instance. “I knew it was time for a change because prison Long before calling D3 home, Lou’s home was does not make anyone better. I made a conscious Stockton, CA with a home life that resembled a decision to get help.” Norman Rockwell painting: a stay-at-home mom, brother, and a doting dad. From behind bars, Lou learned of a place called the Delancey Street Foundation and used it to “Then my parents split up when I was probably 13. It figuratively become his own defense attorney. A devastated me. I took it pretty hard and started down daunting task for a repeat offender, nevertheless a destructive path making bad choices.” Lou developed a mathematical strategy of sorts. To convince not a jury of 12, but 1 judge, that he was Lou admits at the core of his bad choices was drug willing to accept the maximum prison sentence in use. Casual, at first, and an escape from the troubles exchange for one opportunity to attend Delancey at home, but quickly his drug use was habitual. Lou Street. found himself in the throes of addiction. Now the teen who had straight A’s in math had graduated to wearing numbers – issued by the Department of Corrections. 16 | actransit.org | July 2019

“I knew this which men and was my chance at a new women, most of whom are life, so at every court date for ex-felons and substance abusers, can almost two years, I begged Judge Franklin learn the skills needed to rebuild their lives. Stephenson (pictured) to let me go to Delancey Street.” Lou discovered on day one, participation requires 16-hour workdays – six days a week. It worked. Judge Stephenson even overruled the The long days included working on a good district attorney, and on March 2, 2010, Lou walked attitude, how to work well with others, and through the gate of Delancey Street. working to ensure no fellow participant was left behind. “It is a two-year commitment. It houses up to 500 people most of which come from jail and prison July 2019 | actransit.org | 17 and have no job, work, or people skills. Many of the people have never graduated from high school. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.” San Francisco based Delancey Street provides a structured education and living environment in

FEATURE BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 Lou's substance abuse was quickly replaced with Just weeks after Lou’s courtroom visit, 54-year- a healthy addiction to discipline, structure, and old Judge Stephenson suffered a heart attack purpose. With each day at Delancey Street, Lou was while driving and died. writing a new chapter of his life. First mastering the duties of movie projectionist, then onto restaurant The judge's death reaffirmed Lou's need to keep and catering, and ultimately supervising 15 people his second promise to then-girlfriend Dee Anne in Delancey's 200 vehicle truck repair department. who has since become his wife; a promise that In fact, what started as a two-year commitment to included a home and children. The couple now Delancey Street, extended to four years. has a two-year-old son Luciano, Jr. and a five- month-old daughter Olivia.. Lou's time with Delancey was so successful, he received two commendations from then-House When Baby Lou was on the way, the first-time Minority Leader (current Speaker of the House) dad commuted to work on AC Transit and while Nancy Pelosi: both as the Speaker's VIP driver onboard overhead its Operator discussing during the Giants 2012 World Series Parade and recruitment. Within days, Lou had completed an 2013's San Francisco Gay Pride Festival. application and weeks later was sitting in a NBO training course at the TEC. “When I graduated in April 2014, I had two promises to fulfill. The first was to see Judge “I have been with AC Transit for four years and Stephenson, so that I could thank him.” it has taken care of me and my new family. AC Transit serves the public: young, old, rich, poor, However, a court clerk blocked the new Delancey and it is a constant reminder of where I have Street graduate from seeing the judge. Undaunted, been and where I want to be in life.” Lou says he traveled from San Francisco to the Stockton Superior Court and waited in the hallway; Lou is constantly striving for determined to thank the man who helped rewrite better. His recent experience his life story. After a long wait, Lou finally locked interviewing for Road eyes with the judge in the hallway. Supervisor has “I told him who I was and he grabbed me and hugged me tightly. In court, I explained Delancey Street for five minutes and all the things I had experienced and I thanked him again for taking that chance on me. He terminated my probation, reduced my charges, and said I was the first one that had come back to thank him and share my story.” 18 | actransit.org | July 2019

motivated him to enroll in computer courses to sharpen his skills. He is already sharpening skills behind the wheel. During this year’s Local Bus Roadeo, Lou took home the impressive Second Place trophy for Non-APTA Operators. Lou has not only rewritten chapters of his life, the Line 72 and LA Operator now says AC Transit has allowed him to write an entirely new life novel. Luciano Lopez as the VIP driver for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (then- House Minority Leader) during San Francisco's Gay Pride festival, on June 30, 2013. July 2019 | actransit.org | 19

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 20 | actransit.org | July 2019

To support the District’s goal of recruiting and hiring additional bus operators and mechanics, Marketing and HR are now using creative tactics to reach quality candidates. In March, AC Transit launched a radio campaign that served more than 400 ads across multiple Bay Area stations for three weeks. The results of the campaign were immediate — the applicant rate for bus operators and mechanics grew more than 76% in the first 2 weeks of the campaign. During week 3, we saw a 94% increase in applicants compared to the week before the radio ads aired. In addition to the radio campaign, AC Transit has launched a search engine marketing campaign that pushed AC Transit job listings to the top of the heap on Google, along with ads on job boards like Indeed and Monster. This portion of the campaign extends through May. The second wave features advertisements with your coworkers; real bus operators and mechanics telling their AC Transit success stories. Expect to see them on buses crisscrossing the East Bay and Bay Bridge, cable TV ads and on social media platforms, including Facebook. You can help! Spread the word to friends and family about open bus operator and mechanic positions. AC Transit employees receive great benefits and opportunities to learn new skills and grow in a family environment. It’s more than a job, it’s a career! July 2019 | actransit.org | 21

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BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 TRANSPORTATION & MAINTENANCE July 2019 | actransit.org | 23

AC TRANSIT CLAIMS TITLE: INTERNATIONAL BUS ROADEO GRAND CHAMPIONS The International Bus Roadeo has been described as the transit industry’s Olympics, Super Bowl, and World Series; if these premiere world events were combined and happened in just three days. With that form of esteemed comparison, AC Transit is both proud and honored to have globally announced that the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) awarded our combined Operator and Maintenance Team as Grand Champions, during the 44th Annual International Bus Roadeo in May. This year, 80 Operators from transit agencies around North America, put their daily driving safety and agility training to the test. One after another, competitors started a time trial that began with navigating a 40-foot long bus through a serpentine course of turning maneuvers, obstacle avoidance, and ultimately a controlled stop of a nearly 40,000-pound bus from high speed. When all votes were counted, our Combined Team - comprised of 39-year veteran Bus Operator Jesse Dela Cruz (D6), and Journey Level Mechanics Sean Burr (D6), Miguel Lopez (D4), and Alvin Tan (D6) - earned the highest team score for both operators and maintainers; catapulting team AC Transit to 2019's Best of the Best title. “The Roadeo highlights the dedication of our incredible professionals as they provide safe and reliable transportation to their riders every day. I congratulate the winners and all the participants who displayed excellent skills, precision, and dedication to their work,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. 24 | actransit.org | July 2019

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 TRANSPORTATION & MAINTENANCE James Souza Miguel Lopez Jesse Dela Cruz Alvin Tan Sean Burr Ron Lee Maintenance Mechanic D4 Operator D6 Mechanic D6 Mechanic D6 IBR Coach Representative Superior training, commitment to safety and teamwork have been the underpinnings of AC Transit’s seventh APTA Overall Excellence (Best of the Best) honors. In fact, our success behind the wheel and under the coach makes it a challenge to stifle beaming smiles, now that our International Roadeo leaderboard represents wins every decade spanning the past 30 years. 2019 – Grand Champions (Team), Louisville, Kentucky 2018 – Third Place Best of the Best (Team), Tampa, Florida 2008 – First Place Operator, Austin, Texas 2006 – Second Place Operator & Best of the Best (Team), Anaheim, California 2004 – Second Place Operator, Atlanta, Georgia 2002 – Best of the Best (Team), Las Vegas, Nevada 2001 – Best of the Best (Team), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2000 – First Place Operator & Best of the Best (Team), San Francisco, California 1999 – First Place Operator & Best of the Best (Team), Orlando, Florida 1998 – Second Place Operator, New York, New York 1991 – Third Place Operator, Toronto, Canada 1986 – First Place Operator, Detroit, Michigan July 2019 | actransit.org | 25

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 ELSA ORTIZ, WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION American Goods policy, her advocacy for fiscal Earlier this year, AC Transit Board Vice President reform and her efforts to ensure that historically underutilized businesses are given opportunities to Elsa Ortiz was awarded the prestigious national do business with AC Transit. award, Women Who Move the Nation, by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials COMTO inaugurated the Celebrating Women Who (COMTO). This national recognition is granted Move the Nation awards in 2012, starting a new to a small group of women from throughout the tradition of recognizing the accomplishments Country who are leading and advancing America’s and influence of today’s outstanding women in transportation industry.  Vice President Ortiz was transportation. COMTO has honored over 75 women recognized for her leadership in spearheading the with this award to date. Congratulations Vice development and adoption of the District’s Buy President Ortiz, thanks for your leadership. Pictured left to right, front row to back row: Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker - LA Metro, Honorable Joyce Beatty - Ohio Congresswoman, Jannet Walker Ford - Cubic Transportation Systems, Carol Wise - DART, Meshelle Howard - Maryland Transportation Authority, J. Somer Shindler - United Airlines, Gabriele M. Mack - JACOBS, Trudy Bartley - The Ohio State University, Debra Johnson - Long Beach Transit, Elsa Ortiz - AC Transit. 26 | actransit.org | July 2019

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 DISTRICT SECRETARY The Portal Heard Around the World Connect to audio broadcasts of Board meetings This year the highest number of visitors, outside of the Bay Area, tuned in from Los Angeles, or listen to recordings from your mobile device or Sacramento and Denver. We were not surprised to desktop. see the viewers from Washington, DC, St Paul, MN, New York CIty, Atlanta, and Houston. To our surprise, AC Transit Board meetings are not only accessed from places here in the Bay Area, Visit actransit.legistar.com/calendar to tune in to but around the nation and around the world. Last our next meeting! month, the AC Transit Connect public meeting portal had 5,200 total page views! 500 Apr 12, 2019 Apr 19, 2019 Apr 26, 2019 375 250 125 0 Apr 5, 2019 July 2019 | actransit.org | 27

TRAINING & EDUCATION BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 Students from the California School for Blind TEC plays host to the Ballard Power Systems meet with TEC staff in April 2019. maintenance training in April 2019. MAKING SENSE TRAINING OF TRANSIT PURE ENERGY The vast majority of us take for granted the sights, Fuel cell technology is describd as highly efficient with sounds, and scents of our world. When in fact, each the potential to transform our nation’s energy sector. sense is essential to how we navigate the world. AC Transit is ahead of that technology curve. For nearly However, what happens if you lose a sense? two-decades, the District has not only invested in the largest fleet of zero emission buses (ZEB), but also Research in Neurology shows that in individuals emerged as the global leader in ZEB technology and born blind or who lose their sight in early childhood, maintenance. actually experience a rerouting of the sensory pathways within the brain. That means a person who is That is why this spring, the TEC played host to Ballard blind or visually impaired is able to use hearing, touch, Power Systems for this maintenance training. This and smells to form pictures of their environment in the three-day fuel cell training course focused on air same way those with sight do. and water-cooling systems, preventive maintenance inspections, corrective maintenance repairs, and Armed with this insight, the TEC has supplemented the troubleshooting techniques for its advanced diagnostic CDL/VTT Bus Operator “refresher” course to include software. It is a timely in house training, now that students from the California School for the Blind. the District has taken delivery of the first of 10 New Several times a year, veteran bus operators now help Flyer fuel cell buses. New Flyer and Ballard have blind students learn about the bus, how to interact collaborated in the design and installation of each with operators, and share safer traveling tips. buses fuel cell power plant. “The only way to make sense out of change is to As you know, the fuel cell operates by plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – combining hydrogen with oxygen from the air, to Alan Watts, American-British Philosopher electrochemically produce electricity and emit purely water vapor. The newly developed training course 28 | actransit.org | July 2019 supports technicians’ abilities to perform more complex fuel cell system maintenance. Future OEM/ ZEB support courses can be found on MYACT and are scheduled for the remainder of the year.

BUSLINES AC Transit 2019 RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENTSalute Thank you for inspiring us all to do our absolute best. Your years of commitment has made AC Transit a better organization, and for that we collectively thank you. Enjoy your retirement! APRIL - MAY - JUNE 2019 HONOREES: John Baker Jimmy Deckard Jimmy Lau Donald Walton 20 Years 38 Years 13 Years 28 Years Durelle Barksdale Lorraine Fowler Sidney Ragland Ronald Wheeler 43 Years 33 Years 34 Years 10 Years Douglas Brown Lance Gambol John Sasges Louis Williams 8 Years 31 Years 34 Years 19 Years Henrietta Collins Natasha Guilford Melvia Shaw Charles Wong 18 Years 11 Years 39 Years 20 Years Jerry Collins Shirley Haile Earl Taylor David Yee 32 Years 42 Years 38 Years 39 Years Kenneth Collins Mark Hollmon Daniel Walton 26 Years 21 Years 21 Years July 2019 | actransit.org | 29

NEW SERVICE CHANGES, EFFECTIVE JUNE 2019 AC Transit has revised select bus schedules to optimize service delivery and staffing. The service optimization includes Early Bird Express (EBX): select EBX lines will depart earlier and one trip will be discontinued. Service changes effective Sunday, June 16, 2019: Line(s) Description of changes 10 Revised to every 17 minutes weekdays. 12 Revised to every 23 minutes weekdays. 14 Revised to operate every 17 minutes weekdays. Additional morning service before 6:15 AM, between High St. & MacArthur Blvd. and Fruitvale BART. 29 Revised to every 24-30 minutes during peak commute hours. 33 Revised to every 18 minutes weekdays. One trip, optimized to relieve overcrowding during peak school hours, does not operate during summer months. 39, 46, 51A, Some trips, optimized to relieve overcrowding during peak school hours, do not operate during 72M, 76, 95, summer months. 97, 217 54 Revised to operate every 15 minutes between 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Frequency optimization during peak commute hours. 57 Revised to every 18 minutes weekdays and weekends. 62 Revised to every 18 minutes weekdays. 65 One additional round trip weekdays, leaving downtown Berkeley at 5:53 AM and the Lawrence Hall of Science at 6:14 AM 72R Revised to operate every 13 minutes weekdays. Optimized service leaves Contra Costa College earlier at 6:50 PM 79 Revised to approximately every 28 minutes weekdays. 88 Revised to every 18 minutes weekdays. 600-699 AC Transit’s Supplementary School Service. (Note: service does not operate during summer months). 701 Revised operations between 3:53 AM and 4:30 AM 702 Revised operations between 4:04 AM and 4:39 AM 703 Revised operations between 3:52 AM and 4:27 AM 706 Revised operations between 4:01 AM and 4:36 AM 707 Revised operations at 3:50 AM and 4:25 AM 710 Revised departure to Uptown Transit Center: 5:31 AM trip discontinued. F Revised layover on weekdays between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM Line F will wait at Bancroft Way and Dana St. Other Minor schedule changes on lines 20, 21, 36, 51B, 65, 72M, 80, 251, L, LA, NX1, OX, and U New schedules and route maps are available at actransit.org. New pocket timetables are available onboard for Lines 10, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 29, 33, 46, 51B, 54, 57, 62, 65, 72 and 72M, 72R, 79, 80, 88, and F and NL. Our full listing of bus line timetables is available online or may be requested at the AC Transit Customer Service Center at 1600 Franklin Street in downtown Oakland. For specific questions, call (510) 891-4777. Printed by AC Transit’s Union Print Shop Printed on 100% recycled paper