AC Transit fleet explained

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) bus fleet, serving the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, is the third-largest in California. It was initially formed in with a mixture of gasoline and diesel-powered buses purchased from its immediate predecessor, the privately owned Key System. The first new buses were purchased for AC Transit in 1960, shortly after its formation and the GM New Look buses were delivered later that year. The transit agency operated GM buses exclusively until 1974, when the first Flxible New Look buses were ordered. Since then, AC Transit has ordered and operated buses from most of the major North American transit bus manufacturers, including Flyer, Gillig, Motor Coach Industries, Neoplan USA, and North American Bus Industries, as well as Van Hool, a Belgian bus supplier.

AC Transit has four operating divisions where buses are stored and light maintenance is performed, one central maintenance facility for major overhauls, and a general office in downtown Oakland, California.

Summary

AC Transit is the third-largest bus-only transit agency in California, carrying an average of 200,000 riders per weekday on 331 service lines, with miles of annual revenue service traveled by its fleet of buses.[1]

Active

Image
2003 MCI D4500458* 6041-6079Diesel
2008 Van Hool A300L4014* 1201-1227Diesel
A300K3013* 5101-5139Diesel
2010 Van Hool AG300
(articulated)		609 2191-2199Diesel
A300L FC405* FC4-FC16Hydrogen
2013 Low Floor40[2] 65 1301-1365Diesel
2013 Xcelsior XD60
(articulated)		6023 2201-2223Diesel
2013 Low Floor40[3] 54 6101-6154Diesel
2014 Gillig Low Floor4068 1401-1468Diesel
2015 Aerotech 2202410 3501-3510Diesel
2016 Gillig Low Floor4055 1501-1555Diesel
Low Floor[4] 4025 1556-1580Diesel-Electric Hybrid
2017 Low Floor4010 1581-1590Diesel
2018 Enviro5004015 6201-6215Diesel
Xcelsior XD60
(articulated)		6029 2224-2252Diesel
2019 Gillig Low Floor HEV401 1591Diesel-Electric Hybrid
2018 Gillig Low Floor35[5] 1601-1635Diesel
2022 Gillig Low Floor4050 1641-1690Diesel
2015 Xcelsior XHE60
(articulated)		601 2501Hydrogen Fuel Cell
2016–17 Xcelsior XDE60
(articulated)		6027 2301-2327Diesel-Electric Hybrid
2018–19 Xcelsior XHE404010 7017-7026Hydrogen Fuel Cell
2019 Xcelsior XE405 8001-8005Battery Electric
2022 Xcelsior XHE404020 7031-7050Ballard FCvelocity HD85
2022 Low Floor EV4020+ 8006-8027Battery Electric
2022-2023 D45 CRT LE4536 6301-6336Diesel
Notes

Retired

Image
ex-Key System buses
1941–42 7883323 815-898Gasoline
1944–45 7983591 900-999
1947–4875 1000-1074
1947 C-41-GT33' 2"60 2501-2560
1946 TGM-3609 Old Look30' 9"45 1300-1344Gasoline
20 1200-1241Diesel
1947 TDH-4008 Old Look335 1401-1405Diesel
1944 TD-4006 Old Look5 1500-1504
1940–41 TD-4001 Old Look4 1501-1504
1947–48 TDH-4507 Old Look35175 1700-1874
1949 TDH-4509 Old Look25 1900-19241921
1950–51 TDH-5103 Old Look39' 6"50 2000-2049
1958 TDH-4801 Old Look37' 6"21 2100-21202103
New buses purchased by AC Transit
1960–61 GM SDH-4501 New Look3557 100-156100Diesel
1961 SDM-4501 New Look5 300-304
1961 TDH-4516 New Look50 400-449
1961 TDH-5301 New Look40125 500-624
1961–62 TDH-4517 New Look3543 700–712; 720-749
1963–66 TDH-5304 New Look4065 300-364
1963–66 TDH-4519 New Look3555 750-804
1968–69 T6H-5305 New Look4055 626-680
1968 T6H-4532 New Look355 805-809
1971–72 T6H-5305 New Look4090 900-989Diesel
1973 T6H-5307N New Look3555 810-864839
1961 (1974) TDH-4517 New Look2913 700S-712SDiesel
1974 53102 New Look40120 180-299Diesel
197536 8000-8035
1976 Minibus MBD-80022529 2200-2228
1978 SG 220
(articulated)		6030 1600-1629
1980–82 D90140170 1000-1169
19803520 2000-20192013
1982–84 Phantom40226 1300–1390; 1400–1483; 1485; 1500-1549
1982–833551 2049-2099
1983 AN4404061 1200-1260
1984 AN408263 2300-2302
1983 M.A.N. SG 310
(articulated)		6015 1630-1644
1983 286
(articulated)		6015 1700-1714
1988 D35HF3529 2400-2428
1988–89 D40HF4079 2500-2578
1989 D60HF
(articulated)		6030 1800-1829
1990 Gillig Phantom4052 2601-2652
1991-923062 2701-27622738
19934060 2801-2860
1996 New Flyer D60HF
(articulated)		6030 1901-1930
1997–98 41640204 2901–2971; 3001–3067; 3101-3166
2000 D4500455 6001-6030
20012 6031-6040
1999–2003 NABI 40-LFW4084 4001–4021; 4051–4090; 7201-7223
2003 AG300
(articulated)		6030 2001-2057
2005 A330 FC403 FC1–FC3Hydrogen
Notes

Experimental and prototype

Image
1966 (1958) Super Golden Eagle60 articulated1 XMC-77Diesel
1967 GM TDH-5303 New Look401 XMC-53 (625)Diesel
1971 (1969) GM T6H-5305 New Look401 666Steam
1973 (1961) GM TDH-4517 New Look291 708SDiesel
1983 Neoplan Skyliner401 Diesel
1986 (1963) GM/Flyer TDH-5304 New Look & D901401 311Diesel
1999 APS Systems Custom low-floor401 999Propane-Electric
1999 ZEbus (F40LF)401 —Hydrogen
2002 ThunderPower (E-Z Rider II)301 4285Hydrogen
Notes

History

Key System inheritance

At its inception in 1960, AC Transit purchased the mixed White, Mack, and GM "old-look" bus fleet from its predecessor, the Key System. The 249 White, Mack, and GM gasoline buses were valued at and the 276 GM diesel buses were valued at .[7] 189 gasoline buses manufactured by White were declared surplus in 1961 and were sold for,[8] and the last gasoline-powered bus ran in revenue service on July 31, 1961,[9] although some of the newer gasoline-powered Macks were retained for lightly traveled lines. Later in 1961, AC Transit began converting 10 of the GM old-look gasoline-powered buses to diesel using secondhand transmissions and engines.[10] The last of 26 Mack buses remaining in the fleet, #2510, ran a "farewell tour" on Line 43 in February 1965, decorated with painted tears and the message "To my friends, good-bye."[11]

New Look "Transit Liners"

The first new buses ordered for AC Transit were 250 diesel GM New Look buses, which were delivered by late 1961. The cost per coach was .[12] During the planning stage, the District announced plans to acquire 572 of these modern "Transit Liners" at an estimated cost of .[13] AC Transit began New Look "Transit Liner" operation in late 1960.[14] The New Looks were credited with turning around ridership and revenue for the District. Many were equipped with air conditioning, and these proved especially popular in that first summer of operation, when high temperatures reached 110°F.

AC Transit would continue to operate a mixed fleet of buses throughout the 1960s; the buses purchased from Key System started to be retired in 1969 (#1806 was the first diesel Old Look retired),[15] but were not fully retired until 1974 with the delivery of Flxible buses. In 1969, the fleet consisted of 693 diesel-powered GM buses: 462 New Looks and 131 Old Looks.[16] AC Transit continued purchasing exclusively GM New Look buses through the early 1970s. In 1970, AC Transit announced that it would test GM's Environment Improvement Package (EIP), an emissions control retrofit consisting of a needle injector valve, catalytic muffler, air induction system, and rubber engine mountings; the District also noted it would participate in a steam-powered bus experiment, and was willing to evaluate electric- and turbine-powered buses.[17] The "low sac needle" injector was credited with reducing smoke by up to 93% and odors by a factor of 15.[18] The first EIP-equipped bus was assigned fleet #902 and entered revenue service in early 1971.[19] All the AC Transit New Look buses were fitted with the new injectors by November 1972.[20] In 1972, with the opening of BART, the District equipped all New Look buses with a blue light next to headsigns. The blue light was illuminated with the words "TO BART" when the bus was headed towards a BART station.[21]

In 1974, AC Transit ordered 120 Flxible New Look buses, its first purchase of new buses that had not gone to GM. Flxible had bid per bus in 1974, beating GM's bid of .[22] [23] In 1975, a second round of bids were solicited for 36 additional "deluxe" buses with reclining seats and air conditioning, intended for a BART contract to provide extension service to suburban areas. For the 1975 orders, inflation and additional equipment greatly increased the price.[23] Flxible submitted the winning low bid of per bus, beating GM's bid of .[24] As it turned out, AC Transit would never receive another new bus from GM. Given the rise in bus prices, rather than replace the oldest Transit Liners (received in 1960), the District spent approximately per coach in 1975 to add standee windows and low-back seats, extending the life of the New Look fleet.[12] [25]

In August/September 1976, AC Transit was one of ten agencies to participate in a group purchase of AM General/MAN SG 220 articulated buses, part of the first widespread deployment of articulated buses in North America once the orders began to be delivered in 1978.[26] After a fire in the Transbay Tube shut down BART service for several months starting on January 17, 1979, the AC Transit articulated buses were diverted to Transbay service.[27]

"Advanced Design" and dropping GM

Models of three coaches designed by GM, American Motors, and Rohr Industries for the Transbus project were shown in 1973.[28] Although none of the Transbus project prototypes would ever go into production, AC Transit expressed an interest in acquiring the GMC RTS-II in 1975; the RTS-II "Advanced Design" coach was a direct descendant of the GM Transbus prototype.[29] In July 1976, AC Transit released requests for bids for the next generation of buses: 66 "Advanced Design" and several smaller coaches.[30] In September and October 1976, Flxible 870 and GMC RTS-II buses toured several East Bay cities; these "Advanced Design" coaches were being evaluated as potential replacements for the existing New Look fleet.[31] AC Transit ordered 66 RTS-II buses in May 1977 from GM[32] as part of a larger group purchase with five other operators. The purchase was allowed to proceed after a lawsuit by the losing bidder, AM General, was settled; the judge concluded the buses could be purchased without wheelchair lifts because of their limited reliability. The bid price was per coach.[33] However, AC Transit canceled the contract in 1979,[34] citing the high cost, which had risen to each, slow delivery (delivery had been expected in 1978), and fewer seats than the existing New Look buses.[35] The District rejected several RTS buses that had already been assembled; the completed buses were later sold to the Santa Clara County Transit District.[36]

Rather than pursue a set of "Advanced Design" buses, AC Transit chose to purchase buses with New Look-derived designs after the RTS contract was canceled;[37] [35] AC Transit ordered 175 Flyer D901 buses in 35feetand40feetft (andft) lengths. The per-unit cost was for a 40-ft coach.[38] The Flyer D901 fleet were the first AC Transit buses to be equipped with electronic route signs, along with kneeling suspension and a wheelchair lift.[39] [40] 15 more Flyer D901s were added in 1982.[41]

By 1981, the District was once again soliciting bids for 60 "Advanced Design" buses; although the original "Transit Liner" New Looks delivered in 1960 were being replaced by the Flyer D901s, some of the Transit Liners still remained in service.[42] In 1982, AC Transit ordered 141 buses from Gillig and 60 from Neoplan; the Gillig Phantom buses were updated New Look designs, while the Neoplan AN440 "Transliner" coaches were true "Advanced Design" buses.[43] The first Gillig, a 40-ft Phantom, arrived on site for testing in June 1982,[44] and AC Transit would place another order with Gillig for 134 additional coaches in 1983, at a cost of each.[45] With the Gilligs, AC Transit updated its livery from the "clownface" design first applied to the Transit Liners in 1960. The Neoplans were delivered in August and September 1982.

AC Transit ordered 56 New Flyer D35HF and D40HF coaches in 1988 at an average cost of each to replace some of the oldest GM New Looks. The New Flyers were assembled in the local Union City plant.[46] The District added 52 more 40-foot D40HF coaches and purchased 30 D60HF buses to add to the articulated fleet in 1989;[47] the new D60HFs replaced 30 older articulated buses that had been temporarily leased from Santa Clara County Transit District.[48] Additional orders of Gillig Phantoms followed in the early 1990s, and a second round of 30 New Flyer D60HFs delivered in 1996 allowed AC Transit to retire the original AM General/MAN articulated buses.

Starting in 1996, AC Transit added 204 Model 416 40-foot high-floor buses from North American Bus Industries (NABI).[49] [50] The 416 was originally introduced in 1989 by American Ikarus as a domestic variant of the before the company was spun off in 1996 as NABI.[51]

AC Transit rolled out its first low-floor buses in 2000, when it received 44 NABI 40-LFW (040.70) coaches; a subsequent procurement of 40 low-floor coaches was originally awarded to Orion Bus Industries. The unit price was estimated at, but during the course of negotiations, Orion insisted on using its own accessibility ramp rather than AC Transit's preferred vendor, and the per-unit price rose to .[52] These factors tipped the award to NABI, and a second round of 40-LFW buses was procured instead.[53]

Also in 2000, AC Transit began operating a fleet of 45-foot over-the-road (suburban) coaches purchased from Motor Coach Industries beginning in the early 2000s.

Van Hool

In 2003, AC Transit began purchasing low-floor buses from Van Hool. The Van Hool buses were assembled in Belgium and featured low floors and three doors (four doors on articulated models), which AC Transit touted as the key to bus rapid transit service between Berkeley and San Leandro along Shattuck, Telegraph, International Blvd, and East 14th Street.[54]

After receiving criticism for the use of federal funds to purchase foreign-made Van Hool buses and tailored specification requirements to exclude domestic manufacturers,[55] AC Transit ordered locally-built Gillig buses in 2012.[56] In March 2013, AC Transit began operating the first of its new Gillig buses.[57] In August of the same year, AC Transit placed the first of its new New Flyer Xcelsior articulated buses into service.[58] Later that year, in November 2013, new Gillig buses with a suburban seating configuration and Transbay branding were introduced into service.[59]

All AC Transit buses are wheelchair accessible and have front-mounted bicycle racks. The MCI buses also feature luggage bay bicycle racks. AC Transit buses purchased after 2007 have air conditioning, as approved by the board of directors.[60]

Special types

Articulated buses

AC Transit pioneered the use of articulated buses in the United States; in March 1966 it was the first transit agency to use the Super Golden Eagle long-distance coach (one of five originally designed and built for Continental Trailways; AC Transit designated it XMC-77 and called it the "Freeway Train"), primarily on Transbay service.

By 1970, AC Transit was one of six agencies to participate in a "super bus project" coordinated by the National Transportation Center (Pittsburgh) to write a specification for a higher-capacity bus; once the specification had been written, two prototypes would be built and tested to select a winner for a large group procurement of 100 buses to keep per-unit costs low.[61] Two European-built articulated buses were tested in the summer of 1974: a Volvo B58, and a .[62] [63] Riders received the M.A.N. bus favorably, and the specification was released for bid in 1975;[64] AC Transit placed an order for 30 MAN SG 220 buses in 1976 and deliveries began from the AM General/M.A.N. joint venture in 1978.[65]

Steam power

In 1969, AC Transit received a grant[66] [67] and converted bus #666 to steam power, which ran in revenue service between 1971 and 1972. The propulsion system was designed by William Brobeck, who had previously worked on the Bevatron.[68] #666 used a triple-expansion closed-loop reciprocating steam engine; power was improved compared to the original six-cylinder Detroit Diesel 6V71 engine and emissions were reduced, but fuel consumption was higher than a conventional diesel bus. Exhaust steam is condensed and returned to the steam generator, which is an externally-fired boiler that uses of coiled steel tubing, generating steam at and 800psi.[69] Prior to entering service, the steam bus was exhibited in Washington DC[70] and to the public.[71] Bus #666 completed in revenue service when the trial ended in September 1972,[72] and the diesel engine was subsequently reinstalled on the bus.[73]

Hydrogen fuel cell

The District began the HyRoad program in 1999 and tested several hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses, including the Ballard/XCELLSiS ZEbus (a New Flyer F40LF fitted with a Ballard fuel cell) in November 1999[74] for one week. The ZEbus would go on to be tested by the SunLine Transit Agency for a year in 2000. AC Transit also tested the ThunderPower bus in 2003 and 2004. ThunderPower was based on an ElDorado National EZ Rider 2 chassis, equipped with the Siemens ELFA series hybrid drive train. A 60 kW fuel cell supplied by UTC Power provided electricity to two 85kW traction motors whose output was integrated and sent to the rear axle; excess electricity was stored on board in two battery modules, with 48 12-volt lead-acid batteries in total. 25kg (55lb) of hydrogen was stored in nine tanks pressurized to 3600psi.

The next phase of the HyRoad program was stymied when AC Transit attempted to procure a fuel cell bus in 2000: only one vendor provided a bid, but it was later withdrawn. The District eventually found a willing vendor in Van Hool, based on the A330 chassis, with fuel cell integration to be performed by ISE Corp. and UTC Power; the order comprised four buses: three for AC Transit and one for SunLine. The three "first-generation" fuel cell buses were delivered to AC Transit in October and December 2005 at a cost of each, approximately ten times the cost of an equivalent diesel bus. Each fuel cell bus was each approximately 8000lb heavier than a diesel equivalent. They would be evaluated under the Federal Transit Administration's National Fuel Cell Bus Program, and were operated in revenue service from March 20, 2006, to 2010.[75]

These three "first-generation" buses, numbered FC1 through FC3, used a series hybrid powertrain, equipped with two electric traction motors with 170kW of total power, drawing from a fuel cell that could supply 120 kW and a three-cell (wired in parallel) traction battery system with 53kWh of storage, using sodium/nickel chloride chemistry.[76] Each bus had an on-board capacity for 50kg (110lb) of hydrogen in eight roof-mounted tanks pressurized to 5000psi.[77] The chassis was purpose-designed to accommodate fuel cell and electric traction motor components.[77]

The first AC Transit hydrogen station was installed at Richmond (Division 3) in 2002, producing hydrogen through the electrolysis of water.[77] Another hydrogen fueling station was installed at East Oakland (Division 4) by Chevron on March 13, 2006,[77] using a methane reformer,[77] and it was planned to be decommissioned in September 2010 after a new station opened at Emeryville (Division 2).[75]

Between 2003 and 2018, AC Transit zero-emissions buses traveled more than in revenue service.[1] One of the fuel cell buses (FC2) operated in revenue service for Golden Gate Transit for one month in 2008 and again briefly in 2009.[75] The "first-generation" FC1–FC3 were compared with six diesel Van Hool A330 buses as a baseline; while the fuel cell buses demonstrated better fuel economy at 6.79mpgUS (diesel gallon equivalent) compared to 4.2mpgUS, the diesel buses were more reliable, averaging between roadcalls for all causes, compared to between roadcalls for the fuel cell buses.[75] The fleet of three buses achieved an aggregate availability of 61%, short of the 85% target;[75] however, this was driven mainly by the main traction batteries, which accounted for 36% of all unavailable days.[75] The period of evaluation varied by bus, as each bus required the cell stack assemblies to be replaced at various points in 2008.[75]

AC Transit is the lead agency of Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA), a consortium of five Bay Area transit agencies (AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, SFMTA, SamTrans, and VTA) demonstrating fuel cell buses.[78] Under ZEBA, AC Transit took delivery of 12 additional "second-generation" fuel cell buses, based on the Van Hool A300L and numbered FC4 to FC15, in 2011. The fuel cell and propulsion systems were planned to be transferred from FC1–FC3 to the first three of the third-generation buses.[75] Compared to FC1–FC3, the second-generation 300L-based FC4–FC16 are lighter and use lithium-ion batteries from EnerDel, albeit at a reduced capacity of 21kWh.[79] Fuel cell power remains at 120 kW, and hydrogen storage was reduced to 40kg (90lb).[80] A 13th fuel cell bus was acquired at a nominal cost, and the 14th fuel cell bus was the first 60-foot articulated New Flyer fuel cell bus built, originally ordered by Connecticut Transit.[81] [82]

A "third-generation" fleet of fuel cell and battery-electric buses based on the New Flyer Xcelsior (XE40 and XHE40, respectively) were delivered in 2019 for a direct comparison of the two zero-emissions technologies in revenue service. With the state's mandate to move to a completely zero-emissions fleet by 2040, the District will use the results of the comparison to determine the optimum mix of bus propulsion technologies.[1]

Livery

By September 1960, AC Transit had selected the "wing" logo along with a color palette that included silver, "Tahoe turquoise", "Monterey cypress green", and "persimmon orange."[83] The buses purchased from Key System were repainted from their original "fruit salad" colors to the "clownface" livery in 1960 and 1961,[10] featuring a predominantly white (upper half) and orange (lower front) color scheme with green side stripes, matching the newly delivered New Looks.[84] The exterior design won a national award from Fleet Owner magazine in October 1961.[85] [86] AC Transit retained the "clownface" livery for new orders through the Flyer D901s ordered in 1979.

The Gillig Phantoms and Neoplan AN440s ordered by AC Transit in 1982 were delivered with a more subtle "stripe" livery featuring the same three-color palette as the previous clownface livery. Some buses received a variant of the stripe livery, but the majority of new buses for the District bore the stripe livery, featuring orange and green horizontal stripes on predominantly white coaches. The wheels also lost their signature persimmon orange color with later orders. In the early 1990s, at least one bus (#1422) was painted as a test in a modified clownface livery featuring orange (bottom front) and green (top half) separated by a thin white stripe.

In 2003, AC Transit rolled out an updated "ribbon" livery and logo featuring new colors (primarily white with green and black accents).[87] The suburban-type buses in Transbay service were painted in primarily green.

Logos

AC Transit adopted its first official "ring-and-arrow" emblem around September 1958,[88] replacing an arrowhead logo that had been used on the masthead of its public newsletter Transit Times, first published in May 1958.[89] The ring-and-arrow logo was replaced in 1960 when AC Transit adopted the familiar "wing" logo, which was "designed to imply a sense of motion and speed" although the colors were not finalized until September of that year.[90] A simplified version of the wing logo was painted on buses and signs.

The wing logo was unchanged until 2003, when the District adopted a stylized green and gradient-gray "ribbon" logo, which was later simplified in 2014 by dropping the gradient and updating the typeface.[91]

Facilities

AC Transit sites[92]
Name123456
Downtown OaklandEmeryvilleRichmondEast OaklandCentral Maintenance FacilityHayward
Image
Address1600 Franklin St
Oakland		1177 47th St
Emeryville		2016 MacDonald Ave
Richmond		1100 Seminary Ave
Oakland		10626 E.14th St
Oakland		1758 Sabre St
Hayward
Size[93] 100000ft2392000ft2266000ft2579500ft2517000ft2833500ft2
Capacity (buses)—14790160650170
Supported functions
AC Transit operates out of six major sites in Alameda and Contra Costa counties: four operating divisions to handle light maintenance, refueling, and bus storage; a central maintenance facility for major overhauls, procurement, and parts storage; and an administrative headquarters.[92]

General Office

AC Transit administration started in the Alameda County Courthouse, and later moved to temporary quarters in the Claremont Hotel in September 1957 before moving back to downtown Oakland at the Plaza Building at 506 15th Street in January 1959.[94] [95] With the purchase of Key System assets, AC Transit moved its General Offices (GO) into the Key System Building at 1106 Broadway in October 1960.[96] [97] The GO moved again to the Latham Square Building at 508 16th Street in April 1963,[98] [99] where it would stay for nearly 25 years. In late 1983, the District released a request for bids to build a new GO at 1600 Franklin, a site then occupied by a parking lot which had been purchased by AC Transit.[100] Groundbreaking on the new site began in April 1985,[101] and the first occupants moved into the 10-story building in June 1987. The building was built by private developers on public land, and a lease-to-own scheme meant the public would eventually own it as well.[102]

Central Maintenance Facility

The Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) is close to Seminary Division; the site was originally built as a warehouse for the adjacent Durant Motors Star factory[103] and was later used as a General Motors parts facility until it was purchased by AC Transit in 1980. Prior to the opening of CMF, major maintenance was performed at Emeryville Division.[104]

Operating divisions

The operating divisions are located in Emeryville (Division 2), Richmond (D3), East Oakland (also known as Seminary, D4), and Hayward (D6); an annex adjacent to Seminary is known as 66th Avenue or D4 Annex.[92] The Emeryville (D2), Richmond (D3), and East Oakland (D4) sites were acquired with the purchase of Key System assets in 1960.[105]

D6 originally opened in Newark to serve southern Alameda County routes in November 1975.[106] In 1981, AC Transit exercised an option to purchase a 17acres site in Hayward from Mack Trucks to relieve overcrowding at the four operating divisions.[107] D6 moved from Newark to Hayward in October 1986; the training center at Hayward had opened in 1985.[103] [108]

Richmond (D3) was closed in 2011 due to a serious fiscal crisis, and operations were moved to Emeryville.[109] In 2014, the economy had recovered and reopening Richmond was studied. Although closing D3 had the intended effect of reducing labor costs, the three remaining divisions were operating at or near capacity and service was suffering, as buses for northern routes had to be brought in from Emeryville.[110] [111] Reopening Richmond would also increase operational flexibility, and AC Transit invested more than $15 million in improvements[112] before reopening D3 in 2017.[113]

In a 2018 study, AC Transit planners noted the four operating divisions were above their maximum bus capacity and presented a plan to remodel and expand three of the four operating divisions. Under the plan, Seminary (D4) would expand into a two-deck facility, taking advantage of an adjacent property owned by AC Transit on 66th Avenue and a potential purchase of a city-owned site to expand the total site area from 13.7to capable of holding 400 to 500 buses. A second division, known as Division 5, would be co-located at the expanded site.[93] In addition, the plan called for the relocation of the Central Maintenance Facility from D4 to D6 (Hayward), the Training and Education Center (TEC) would be relocated from D6 to D2 (Emeryville), and D2 itself would be moved to a new 28acres site close to the MacArthur Maze at the corner of Burma St and Maritime Ave.

See also

Neighboring agencies:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Zero-Emissions Bus Rollout Plan . June 10, 2020 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . 1 . 20 October 2020.
  2. A Better Ride on AC Transit's Newest Buses . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  3. New Commuter Buses Launch November 8 . November 7, 2013 . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  4. Web site: AC Transit announces the launch of AC Go. 24 June 2016. AC Transit.
  5. Web site: AC Transit Board Bus Fleet Update. 13 February 2019. AC Transit.
  6. News: AC Transit awards MCI five-year contract; receives notice to proceed for 36 MCI D45 CRT LE Commuter Coaches . Mass Transit Magazine . December 12, 2019 . February 26, 2020.
  7. Report on Valuation of Lands, Property and Rights of Key System Transit Lines as sought to be acquired by Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . Arthur C. Jenkins & Associates . California Public Utilities Commission . May 1960 . 22 January 2019.
  8. Iron Horses of Bus Transportation Sold to Oakland Dealer for $60,000 . May 1961 . 4 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  9. Veteran Operator Wheels Last Gasoline Bus Across Bay Span; Diesels Take Over . August 1961 . 4 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  10. Bus Modernization Ahead of Schedule With Big Savings . September 1961 . 4 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  11. Gas-Powered Bus Rolls Into History . February 1965 . 7 . 10 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  12. District refurbishing older coaches In effort to save public funds . November 1976 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 19 . 5 . 8 January 2019.
  13. Web site: facts you should know . 1960 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . 22 January 2019.
  14. First of Luxury 'Transit Liners' Enter Transbay Service on Christmas Day . December 1960 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 3 . 8–E . 8 January 2019.
  15. Deliver of new Buses send older Models to pasture . May 1969 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 11 . 11 . 8 January 2019.
  16. District builds modern fleet with purchase Of new buses and additional radio units . January 1969 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 11 . 7 . 8 January 2019.
  17. For cleaner air: District moves ahead in smog fight . January 1970 . 12 . 7 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  18. For cleaner air: District moves ahead in smog fight . October 1970 . 13 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  19. For cleaner air: Buses roll with anti-smog kits . January 1971 . 13 . 7 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  20. Low pollution fuel injectors Installed in "New Look" buses . November 1972 . 15 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  21. BART light designed for rider information . July 1972 . 15 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  22. Bus contract for 120 coaches Given to meet growing needs . March 1974 . 16 . 9 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  23. Extension routes: New buses may be 'most expensive' . February 1975 . 17 . 8 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  24. Flxible awarded contract For 36 deluxe buses . March 1975 . 17 . 9 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  25. District refurbishing older coaches In effort to save public funds . March 1975 . 17 . 9 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  26. Operators train in bus-that-bends . October 1978 . 21 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  27. Special Shuttle . January 1979 . 21 . 7 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  28. TRANSBUS models displayed in Bay area; Viewers see featuers of 'Bus of the future' . September 1973 . 16 . 3 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  29. District eyes 'Space Age' bus . October 1975 . 18 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  30. Newly designed coaches sought . July 1976 . 19 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  31. Newly designed buses tour District cities . October 1976 . 19 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  32. Actions of the Board . May 1977 . 19 . 11 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  33. Court clears the way for the District To purchase new advance design buses . September 1977 . 20 . 3 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  34. Actions of the Board . June 1979 . 21 . 12 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  35. "New look" buses to be added to fleet . June 1979 . 21 . 12 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  36. Web site: GM RTS Production List: TH-8201 . August 13, 2004 . Ohio Museum of Transportation . 22 January 2019.
  37. Actions of the Board . July 1979 . 22 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  38. New buses ordered by District Directors to meet needs of wheelchair users, others too . August 1979 . 22 . 2 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  39. First of 175 new buses arrive . October 1980 . 23 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  40. Use grows of new access devices . July–August 1981 . 24 . 1–02 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  41. Older bus phase-out program progresses . July–August 1982 . 25 . 1–02 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  42. Designs vary and choices are critical . February 1981 . 23 . 8 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  43. Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 1983 Annual Report . 1983 . AC Transit . 25 January 2019.
  44. The Cover . June 1982 . 24 . 12 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  45. Board gives big bus order to Gillig . April 1983 . 25 . 10 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  46. Prototype gets good survey marks . Spring 1988 . 30 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  47. Coach order aids commuters, economy . Spring 1989 . 31 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  48. Annual Report for the Year of 1988 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . October 1988 . 27 January 2019.
  49. 02-268: Consider replacement and disposal of older buses and paratransit vehicles and review replacement schedule . Bithell, Bob . October 4, 2002 . AC Transit Board of Directors . 27 January 2019.
  50. Web site: AC Transit GM Memo 06-864 Revised . April 19, 2006 . AC Transit . 8 January 2019.
  51. Web site: Bus Stop Classics: American-Ikarus/North American Bus Industries – From Hungary to Alabama… . Brophy, Jim . July 23, 2016 . Curbside Classics . 27 January 2019.
  52. 02-037: Amend Authorization for the Award of a Contract to Purchase up to 40 Low-Floor Buses from Orion Bus Industries (GM Memo 01-283) . Cannon, Pat . Babington, Carol . January 30, 2002 . AC Transit Board of Directors . 27 January 2019.
  53. Draft Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes . February 12, 2002 . AC Transit . 27 January 2019.
  54. News: The Buses From Hell . Gammon, Robert . January 23, 2008 . East Bay Express . 16 January 2019.
  55. News: Belgium or Bust . Gammon, Robert . January 23, 2008 . East Bay Express . 16 January 2019.
  56. News: AC Transit Made Right Choice to Finally Buy Local . Gammon, Robert . March 30, 2012 . East Bay Express . 16 January 2019.
  57. New Gillig Buses Start Service March 28 . March 28, 2013 . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  58. The New Flyers Are Here! . August 12, 2013 . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  59. New Commuter Buses Launched . November 7, 2013 . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  60. Web site: Installation of air conditioning on buses . September 9, 2007 . AC Transit . 20 October 2020.
  61. Super bus project: Design sought for future coach . July 1970 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 13 . 1 . 8 January 2019.
  62. New services require maximum effort: Activity level reaches high peak in June . June 1974 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 16 . 12 . 16 January 2019.
  63. Riders may have chance To test two new articulated buses . July 1974 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 17 . 1 . 8 January 2019.
  64. 'Superbus' preliminary specifications Out to manufacturers for review . February 1975 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 17 . 8 . 8 January 2019.
  65. Articulated coaches will ease Space crunch on heavily-used lines . June 1978 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 20 . 12 . 8 January 2019.
  66. Full steam ahead: District to test new power system . January 1969 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 11 . 7 . 8 January 2019.
  67. Government grant gives financial Support to bus test of steam power . February 1969 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 11 . 8 . 8 January 2019.
  68. Work starts on steam project . August 1970 . Transit-Times . 13 . 2 . 10 January 2019.
  69. Steam bus project For AC Transit Nears completion . February 1971 . Transit-Times . 13 . 8 . 10 January 2019.
  70. Steam Bus unveiled in Washington, D.C. Senators Cranston, Tunney among riders . November 1971 . Transit-Times . 14 . 5 . 10 January 2019.
  71. Steam Bus unveiled to public . January 1972 . Transit-Times . 14 . 7 . 10 January 2019.
  72. Steam bus project completed successfully After operation in revenue service . October 1972 . Transit-Times . 14 . 7 . 10 January 2019.
  73. Steam bus reconverted As experiment ends . February 1973 . Transit-Times . 14 . 7 . 10 January 2019.
  74. Short Range Transit Plan, FY2001-FY2010 . 2 . AC Transit . 10 January 2019.
  75. National Fuel Cell Bus Program: Accelerated Testing Evaluation Report #2 . Chandler, Kevin . Eudy, Leslie . June 2010 . National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
  76. Web site: AC Transit Demos Three Prototype Fuel Cell Buses . May 2006 . National Renewable Energy Laboratory . 21 October 2020.
  77. Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Fuel Cell Transit Buses: Preliminary Evaluation Results . Chandler, Kevin . Eudy, Leslie . March 2007 . National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
  78. Web site: The HyRoad . AC Transit . 10 January 2019.
  79. Technology Symposium for Transit Buses . Peeples, H.E. Christian . February 8, 2016 . AC Transit . 21 October 2020.
  80. Web site: Taking the HyRoad ... With Zero-Emission Technology [brochure] ]. March 2012 . AC Transit . 21 October 2020.
  81. Use of operating money in funding the District's Alternative Fuels Program . Hursh, Michael A. . December 13, 2017 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District.
  82. General Manager's Report. Hursh, Michael A. . October 4, 2018 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District.
  83. New 'Transit Liners' on the Way . September 1960 . 3 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  84. 125 New Buses to Join Streamlined Transbay Fleet . January 1961 . 3 . 9 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  85. Web site: New Look...New Deal...in the Bay Area . November 1961 . GMC Truck & Coach . 22 January 2019.
  86. AC Transit Awarded Top National Honor for New Equipment Color Design . October 1961 . 4 . 6 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  87. Web site: Corporate Style Guide . August 2003 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . 16 January 2019.
  88. This is the official emblem adopted by the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . September 1958 . 1 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  89. Transit on the Move: Monthly Newsletter to Tell Progress On Transit Planning for East Bay . May 1958 . 1 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  90. Board of Directors Approves Official District Emblem; Replaces Key Symbol . August 1960 . 3 . 4 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 22 January 2019.
  91. Web site: Interim Branding Guidelines . June 2014 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . 16 January 2019.
  92. Short Range Transit Plan, Fiscal Years 2014/15 — 2023/24 . December 8, 2015 . Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District . 20 October 2020.
  93. Web site: Facilities Utilization Plan & Zero Emission Bus Study . Llamas, Salvador . Miyasato, Mika . August 29, 2018 . AC Transit . 23 January 2019.
  94. Transit Headquarters To Move in January . December 1958. 1 . 8 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  95. First Transit District Employee Leaves . May 1963 . 4 . 2 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  96. District Headquarters To Be Moved Oct. 1 to Key's Oakland Offices . September 1960 . 3 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  97. Public Help Asked in Locating Historical Plaque, Missing in Move to New Offices . May 1963 . 6 . 1 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  98. New District Look . March 1963 . 5 . 11 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  99. Ticket Office to Handle Passenger Transit Needs At Downtown Quarters . April 1963 . 5 . 11 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  100. Developers to submit new GO plans . January 1984 . 26 . 7 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  101. District headquarters Is among new buildings Altering city's skyline . March 1987 . 29 . 9 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  102. Spacious site now welcomes customers . May–June 1987 . 29 . 11–12 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  103. Antique desk is tie to transit's past . Fall 1989 . 31 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  104. Maintenance/Stores will share new facility . October 1980 . 23 . 3 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  105. State PUC Approves Key Sale to District; Familiar Key Name Will Be Abandoned . September 1960 . 3 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  106. New Division site opens this month . November 1975 . 18 . 5 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  107. Board options Hayward site As possible transportation Facility to ease space needs . July–August 1981 . 24 . 1–02 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  108. Hayward incorporates latest in transit operating technology . September 1986 . 29 . 3 . Transit-Times . AC Transit . 18 January 2019.
  109. 11-020a: Consider Decision to Close the District's Richmond Operating Division (D3) . April 13, 2011 . AC Transit District Board of Directors . 26 January 2019.
  110. 14-008: Consider Receipt of Report on AC Transit Facilities Utilization Assessment Study and Recommendations for the Division 3 Richmond Division . Armijo, David J. . February 12, 2014 . AC Transit District Board of Directors . 26 January 2019.
  111. 14-107: Resuming Operations at Richmond Division (D3) . Armijo, David J. . May 14, 2014 . AC Transit District Board of Directors . 26 January 2019.
  112. 17-009: Division 3 Rehabilitation Project Progress Report . Hursh, Michael A. . January 11, 2017 . AC Transit District Board of Directors . 26 January 2019.
  113. AC Transit hosts grand reoping, open house and tour of Richmond-Division 3 bus facility . January 27, 2017 . AC Transit . 26 January 2019.

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