TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Update on Pilot Services and Options for Ashby Avenue
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ?
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on potential options for providing service on the Ashby Avenue segment of Line 80. [Requested by Director Beckles - 1/11/23]
Staff Contact:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
Restoring service suspended during the pandemic is a key component of post-pandemic recovery for the District and meets the 'Convenient and Reliable Service' strategic goal.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary impact associated with this informational item. However, staff estimates implementing the alternative discussed in the report would require three additional buses, six additional full-time operator positions, and cost $3,221,000 annually at $258 per platform hour. Staff has identified reductions in service on other routes to fully off-set the cost of the alternative.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Staff requested Board authorization in May 2021 to implement three new pilot services. Two of the pilots have been implemented - one in Hayward and one in Alameda. The third, a re-route of Line 79 to serve the portion of suspended Line 80 along Ashby Avenue, has not been implemented due to lack of resources, the loss of service for some customers on existing Line 79, and the approval of subsequent service recovery priorities in 2022.
Prior to the pandemic, Line 80 provided service along Ashby, in West Berkeley, and in Albany every 20 minutes. Ridership was lower on this route than other local routes serving Berkeley, but it did provide important transit access to the communities it served. Once the pandemic started, ridership dropped significantly on all routes, but in particular on Line 80 and other crosstow...
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