pages: TransportationCommission/2016-01-27.pdf, 11
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TransportationCommission | 2016-01-27 | 11 | Commissioner Bellows opened the floor to public comment. Jim Strehlow said he would be speaking for a couple of his coworkers who explained that their teenagers are scolded from taking AC Transit because it is dangerous along 12th Street in downtown Oakland. He went on to say that the area and the bus stops are dark and there are unruly passengers on board. He exclaimed if AC Transit would like to be successful and get people to ride, then they have to be aware of the safety factor. Brian McGuire stated that based on the choices for the staff report this was the best option. He said he would love nothing more than to go to Encinal and Versailles Avenues to the ferry station. He explained that the service to get from Fruitvale BART to the waterfront was a big winner in terms of reliability and as the developments come on line they will work to get peak hour headways shortened to become a viable option for new residents. Ultimately, he said this makes sense for alleviating the island crossing issue. Jon Spangler stated that 14 years ago as member of the original Transportation Commission the Line 19 was suggested by AC Transit as a one way to salvage service in Alameda and he was glad to see the line coming back. He stated that the City should expand AC Transit service to restore all the losses suffered in Alameda. He urged the Commission to work with AC Transit to keep adding service to restore something that use to be normal. He also would like to see 8 to 10 minute headways rather than 15 or 30 minute headways. Commissioner Schatmeier referred to the November 2015 meeting where he summarized the fact that the transit subcommittee pointed out the following priorities that were included in their memo and included in the staff report: 1. Funding in Alameda stay local and reallocated to some other Alameda services; 2. Route O stays the same and that has happened with the AC Transit Board's action and 3. Restoring free or low cost transfers for residents of Alameda. He said the reason he brought this up because he was hoping to include this as part of the review at the City Council and then forwarding the recommendation to AC Transit. Commissioner Vargas asked staff and AC Transit about the current status and where is AC Transit at based on input they received from the City, because a letter was written on November 5, 2015 to AC Transit asking for restoration of Line 19, alternative 3 and various other recommendations. Commissioner Bellows replied this month the AC Transit Board approved everything, but left the Alameda part out. So, what the City recommended within the letter was still open. Commissioner Vargas asked if AC Transit could address that. Staff Payne replied that staff was not sure if they would have time to come before the Commission because originally the AC Transit Board was expected to approve the service expansion plan in December 2015. So staff provided the letter at their public hearing in November and after going through the inter-liaison committee in October and received the transit committee's blessing staff felt they we were all on the same page. However, she said there was a lack of time for coming before the Commission and City Council, so staff provided the letter. Page 11 of 16 | TransportationCommission/2016-01-27.pdf |