TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) Update
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving an update on the District’s actions to date in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19.)
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
This report outlines the District’s preparedness, planning and response to COVID-19, including efforts to date to provide service that is safe for customers and employees.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
As of April 24, the District’s ridership decline is estimated at 74.4%. The District’s average weekday ridership is currently at 48,400 compared to the February baseline of 189,000 weekday riders.
The District is losing approximately $5 Million per month in farebox revenues. Sales tax revenue declines are not yet known. Receipts for March revenues are expected to be received in the month of May. MTC is estimating a 10-15% reduction in toll revenues (RM-2) for this fiscal year and a 40% reduction for next fiscal year. The reductions represent a reduction to the District’s revenues of $1.3 - $2.0 Million this fiscal year and $5 Million next fiscal year.
The District has spent $945,000 in personal protective equipment (PPE) materials.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On April 27, the Health Officials of Six Bay Area counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara - and the city of Berkeley announced plans to expand the Bay Area shelter in place order through the month of May. The new order which went into effect on May 4, allowed for some activities to resume, including all construction activities, with specific conditions. As a result, several District capital projects, including operator restroom projects have resumed. Another key aspect of the order that could have a positive impact on the District’s workforce is the allowed resumption of childcare, camps and educational/ recreation programs that provide care for children of people who are allowed to work outside of their homes.
The District’s Task Force on COVID 19 which was established to address the District’s preparedness and response to the pandemic continues meeting three times per week.
Changes/Impacts to the District since the April 22 update to the Board are as follows:
Face Coverings: Alameda and Contra Costa County Health Officers now require face coverings while on public transportation or other types of shared transportation.
Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The procurement department has been able to keep up with strong PPE demand. As of the writing of this report, early May, all divisions have an adequate inventory level of masks, hand sanitizer, shields, gloves and goggles. The District’s total PPE spend is currently at $945,000. The procurement department is participating in the “Return to Work” committee that is being led by the Human Resources Department.
Slow Streets
A number of cities in the AC Transit service area are considering implementing Slow Streets programs. These programs restrict access on select streets to only essential vehicles and local traffic with the intent of providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists to practice social distancing. To date, three cities have implemented programs - Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda. Oakland was the first major program in the country and included a plan to create 74 miles of Slow Streets. Though program coordination between AC Transit and City of Oakland staff was initially challenging, the city ultimately agreed to not include any AC Transit routes in the Slow Streets network and maintain paratransit access to all streets given the classification of both as essential services. AC Transit staff has reviewed the entire network and noted potential conflicts with the bus service network prior to implementation. In addition, the city is implementing the program slowly with a handful of streets each week. Prior to each phase of implementation, city staff reaches out to affected stakeholders including AC Transit to ensure there are no additional conflicts. As of May 1, 2020, the city has installed 14 miles of slow streets along 15 corridors.
The City of Alameda has followed suit with Oakland’s program and implemented the pilot phase of its Slow Streets program on two streets on April 30, 2020. Like Oakland, City staff has agreed to not include any AC Transit routes in its Slow Streets network and maintain paratransit access to all streets.
Staff has reached out to all cities and jurisdictions in the AC Transit service area to ensure proper coordination on projects, programs and initiatives resulting from the Shelter-in-Place Order such as Slow Streets.
Legislative Updates:
President Trump has signed into law the 4th (or Phase 3.5) Federal economic relief package. While the 4th package did not include any relief for the transportation industry, discussions are ongoing regarding future relief packages including a bill focused on infrastructure and support for state and local governments.
Staff continues its participation in webinars and townhalls with elected officials, industry organizations and stakeholders within the AC Transit service area. Staff has participated in the following since the last update to the Board of Directors:
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4/22/2020 |
CURB Meeting re: Illegal Dumping during Covid-19 Pandemic |
Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley |
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4/22/2020 |
Re-calibrate: Building Sustainability |
San Leandro Chamber of Commerce |
|
4/22/2020 |
Weekly COVID-19 briefing for local, state and federal elected officials |
Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services |
|
4/22/2020 |
CARES ACT Allocation & Implementation Webinar w/ Ray Telis and Caltrans |
CALACT, Ray Telis, Caltrans |
|
4/22/2020 |
Oakland Chamber of Commerce Board Chair featuring Mayor Libby Schaaf, Deputy City Administrator, Ed Reiskin - leadership during COVID-19 |
Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce |
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4/23/2020 |
Hayward Chamber Board of Directors -- Member report-out on COVID-19 Response |
Hayward Chamber of Commerce |
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4/23/2020 |
Re-calibrate: Federal, State and Local Update and Resources w/San Leandro Mayor Cutter |
San Leandro Chamber of Commerce |
|
4/23/2020 |
City of Newark/AC Transit Bi-Monthly Coordination Meeting |
ACT Service Planning and City of Newark Public Works |
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4/23/2020 |
Rep. Eric Swalwell Facebook Live Town Hall |
Congressmember Eric Swalwell (CA-15) |
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4/23/2020 |
Reimagining Public Engagement for Planning During COVID-19 |
MetroQuest |
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4/24/2020 |
Assemblymember Kansen Chu Public Safety Town Hall |
Assemblymember Kansen Chu |
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4/24/2020 |
Assemblymember. Bill Quirk Tele-Townhall re: COVID-19 |
Assemblymember Bill Quirk |
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4/25/2020 |
Rep. Ro Khanna Town Hall |
Congressmember Ro Khanna (CA-17) |
|
4/27/2020 |
Joe Biden Virtual Town Hall with Kamala Harris and African American Leaders |
Joe Biden |
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4/28/2020 |
COVID-19 Unmasked Virtual Town Hall Series w/ Senator Amy Klobuchar, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Governor Gretchen Whitmer |
BET/NAACP |
|
4/28/2020 |
Rep. Swalwell re: restaurants and food insecurity during Covid-19 |
Congressmember Eric Swalwell (CA-15) |
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4/28/2020 |
Bay Area Council - Bay Area Impact: CARES Act 2.0 |
|
|
4/28/2020 |
COVID-19 Unmasked Virtual Town Hall Series w/ Senator Amy Klobuchar, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Governor Gretchen Whitmer - hosted by April Ryan |
BET/NAACP |
|
4/29/2020 |
Assemblymember Bonta Tele-Town Hall with Mayors of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro |
Assemblymember Rob Bonta |
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4/29/2020 |
Town Hall: Tuesdays @ 2 with Alameda's Business Community |
Alameda Business Community |
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4/29/2020 |
Weekly COVID-19 briefing for local, state and federal elected officials |
Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services |
|
4/30/2020 |
Rep. Swalwell w/Rep. Rodney Davis and Chef José Andrés |
Congressmember Eric Swalwell (CA-15) |
|
4/30/2020 |
APTA COVID Session #1: Effective Methods to Clean and Disinfect Transit Vehicles |
APTA |
|
5/1/2020 |
Hayward Chamber Government Relations Council: Retail and Restaurants Discuss Navigating Digital and Post-Coronavirus |
Hayward Chamber of Commerce - Government Relations Council |
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5/1/2020 |
Hayward Latino Business Roundtable: City's Pandemic Response Update and business share coping strategies |
Hayward Chamber of Commerce - Latino Business Roundtable |
|
5/5/2020 |
VIA Reimagined Townhall |
VIA |
|
4/22/2020 |
CURB Meeting re: Illegal Dumping during Covid-19 Pandemic |
Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley |
|
4/22/2020 |
Re-calibrate: Building Sustainability |
San Leandro Chamber of Commerce |
|
4/22/2020 |
Weekly COVID-19 briefing for local, state and federal elected officials |
Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services |
|
4/22/2020 |
CARES ACT Allocation & Implementation Webinar w/ Ray Telis and Caltrans |
CALACT, Ray Telis, Caltrans |
Internal and external communications regarding service changes as a result of COVID-19 are ongoing. Information is being shared with riders, AC Transit staff, elected officials and community stakeholder via trilingual e-news, car cards, service alerts, social media posts, press releases and via internal staff bulletins and emails.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
Advance planning, preparation and response will provide a path to fulfill the District’s goals to provide safe and secure operations that also prioritize the safety of District staff and riders.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
The choice not to plan, prepare and respond accordingly as COVID 19 evolves is not an option at this time.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 20-137 District Preparedness and Response to COVID-19
SR 20-174 District Preparedness and Response to COVID-19
SR 20-187 District Preparedness and Response to COVID-19
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations
Robert Del Rosario, Director of Service Planning and Development
Gene Clark, Director of Materials and Procurement
Approved/Reviewed by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer