TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Possible Line 60 Partnership with California State University, East Bay
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving report on a possible partnership with California State University, East Bay that would include more frequent service on Line 60 and participation in the EasyPass program.
Body
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary/fiscal impact associated with this item. If supported by the Board, staff will negotiate the cost of the service, and bring the final financial arrangement to the Board for consideration.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) is one of the largest educational institutions in the area, with over 14,000 students and over 8,000 faculty and staff. CSUEB currently contracts with Transmetro, a local operations contractor, to operate shuttles between its main campus in the Hayward Hills and the Hayward BART Station. Their shuttles serve the same alignment as AC Transit's existing Line 60 between the BART station and CSUEB. West of downtown Hayward, Line 60 continues west to Chabot College via Winton Avenue.
CSUEB is currently investigating alternatives to their shuttle program; their contract with Transmetro expires at the end of the 2019 calendar year. Their preference is to contract with AC Transit to provide a higher quality service. District staff has suggested that in lieu of the existing shuttle service, the University consider funding additional frequency on Line 60 and transitioning towards including students, faculty, and staff in AC Transit's EasyPass program. EasyPasses would not only give CSUEB affiliates access to destinations served by the existing shuttle, but also facilitate local transportation throughout the East Bay and possibly to San Francisco and the Peninsula via Transbay bus service.
Staff anticipates that such a partnership would be mutually beneficial. EasyPass would...
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