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Vol. 3 No.6 OAKLAND, OCTOBER 1960

AC Transit Takes Over Key System;First of New Service Begins Oct. 23The Alameda-Contra Costa TransitDistrict rolled smoothly into operationthis month, ending nearly a century ofprivately-owned transit in the East Bay.The change-over, from the long reignof Key System Transit Lines and predecessor companies to a publicly-ownedsystem, went off without a hitch.As far as the public was concerned, the

only immediate difference was in signsand symbols. Greeting cards welcomedriders aboard buses and told them theywere riding with AC Transit. The familiarKey System symbol was covered over bythe emblem of the district and the busessent out on their usual routes, with theirusual drivers.

The take-over cleared the way for a$16,500,000 improvement program thatranges from an immediate drop in faresfor children to establishment of new service and acquisition of 250 new city andsuburban "Transit Liners."IITransit Linersll on the Way

The first 40 of the new buses-all airconditioned-will arrive in December,and the remainder will be delivered beginning in February through next June.

Symbolically, change-over day was amilestone for the 1,000,000 residents ofthe East Bay. It was 97 years ago, ill1863, that public transit made its firstappearance, a steam train that took passengers from Seventh and Broadway to

Oakland Point and ferry connections toSan Francisco. In the years since, theEast Bay has sampled horse cars, steamdummies, cable cars, the first trolleys, themore advanced electrics and the evolution of the bus.

In taking over operation of their owntransit system, the public can expect avastly improved system that will affectmore than 300 miles of transit lines inthe next few months.

Richmond and Western Contra CostaCounty will be among the first to benefit.New service will be established in anumber of residential areas, tentativelyset for October 23.New Service Ready

As a result, some outlying districts willget their first bus transportation. Residents will have direct service to downtown business areas and to outlyingshopping centers. Efficient commuteservice also will be provided.

Other areas can expect needed newroutes, line extensions and more frequentservice, with noticeable improvements assoon as new equipment wheels into opeIation.Five new express routes will link citiesbetween Richmond and Decato beginning next February; 55 miles of new locallines also will be established in themonths ahead.

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CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP-Two checks totaling $7,500,000 are handed to Glen L.Stanley, left, president of Key System Transit Lines, by John R. Worthington, ACTransit general manager, in payment for district's purchase of the private c o ~ p a n y . Looking on at civic luncheon honoring transfer is Edgar L. Buttner, right, preSident ofOakland Chamber of Commerce which sponsored civic event.

Civic Leaders Witness Key PaymentTh e end of one transportation era and

the beginning of another was completedat an East Bay civic luncheon where ACTransit handed $7,500,000 over to KeySystem Transit Lines in payment for itsproperties.

The payment, representing a ma jor advancement towards assuring th e area'sfuture growth and development, was witnessed by some 150 city and county ofRcials , state legislators and businessleaders .

With the Rnancial transaction, th e KeySystem went out of business and a publicly-owned transportation system waspu t into operation, on the note of a "be tter, all-around operation."

John R. Worthington, general manager of the district, made the presentationin two checks to a nostalgic Glen L. Stanley, Key president, at the noon-time gathering at the Athens Club in Oakland .2

One check, for $6,915,885, went to BayArea Public Service Corp., as the holdingcompany, and the other, for $584,115, toKey System, as operating company, forthe total $7,500,000 agreed on after several months of negotiations.

Worthington told the assembled groupthat not only had the district purchasedKey facilities at a "fair price," it had obtained "an excellent operating staff, 1300of them. There can be no physical valueplaced on their worth-they are invaluable in conducting our business." ..

He added that the district was entering the ReId at an opportune time, whilebus transportation was on the upswing.He concluded with the promise the district will ultimately furnish the "Rnestpublic transit service in the nation."

The luncheon was arranged by theOakland Chamber of Commerce as partof the area's observance of the take-over.

What the Editors Are Saying About TransitOakland Tribune:

A New Era Seen in East Bay TransitSATURDAY marks a new and hopefully better era in the history oftransportation in Alameda and ContraCosta counties.

At one minute past Friday midnight ,the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District-to be called AC Transit for shorttakes over the Key System.

The historic changeover ends 97 yearsof various private ownerships and typesof transport ranging from horse cars todiesel buses.Saturday will mark the Rrst day that

th e public has ever owned and operatedits own transportation system in Metropolitan Oakland. The voters passed thebond measure necessary to buyout KeySystem on the recognition that fast transit is vital to th e area. They judged it apublic service that must be maintained,despite its costly initiation.

The public has high hopes of improvedservice, based on the engineering recommendations and studies ordered by th enew transit district's elected board of directors.LOWER FARES

Fares will remain the same, except forimmediate cuts to a lO -cent straight tarifffor children under 13, who now pay adultfares of 25 cents plus zone charges.

East Bay voters created the new transit district in 1956. In 1959 they approveda bond issue of $16,500,000 to Rnance theoperation-out of which sum will come$7,500,000 to pay Key System for itsyards, buses and holdings. A Heet of 250

new "Transit Liners" has been orderedat a cost of $7,700,000.Directors of the district, however, havepromised that revenues from passengerfares will be sufficient to retire the bonds,principal and interest.

While deliveries of the new buses willnot begin until December-and completed by June-passengers can expectimprovement of service soon.Among the improvements planned arene w express lines and new local lines intoresidential areas not now served by theKey System. Also more frequent serviceis planned on existing lines.LABOR PEACE

The changeover from Key to AC Transit is expected to be smooth. All Key System workers have job protection and willwork for the new district .

The new district will operate under alaw providing for voluntary arbitrationof any unresolved labor disputes, thusproviding some guarantee against turbulence, which in 1953 led to a 76-daystrike.

The seven elected directors of the newdistrict face a tremendous task. Theyhave promised improved service at existing fares without a tax levy to pay offthe bonds. The public has given them thetools and the money. Now it is up to themanagement to carry out this mandate.

But even though the public has provided the means, it also faces a furtherresponsibility. It must support this newservice to its fullest extent . After all, thepublic has an investment to protect.

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NEW ORDERS-First bulletinissued by AC Transit uponcommencing operations ishanded to driver Guy R.Foster by Genral ManagerJohn R. Worthington.

FIRST CALL-Switchboardoperator Elzada Malinakgreets first caller aftermidnight change-over,with a friendly, "Goodmorning, AC Transit."

Ceremonies Roll First AC Transit BusesFormal launching ceremonies, com

plete with champagne for the "prow" ofa bus, sent AC Transit into operation thismonth on schedule.

The ceremonies were held at the Em-eryville yards and served to ge t the busesrolling in a change-over that went as"smooth as silk," according to veteranDispatcher R. E. Hawes.Mrs. Robert K. Barber of Kensington,4

wife of the president of the transit district board, struck a bottle of champagneover the bumper of th e first bus out of theEmeryville section, on a symbolic Treas"ure Island run.

John R. Worthington, district generalmanager, sent ou t driver Guy R. Fosterwith best wishes and the hope his first tripfor th e district would be "as successfulas we believe the district will be in pro-

WET LAUNCHING - Bottle of champagne is struck over bumper of ACTransit bus by Mrs. Robert K. Barber,wife of AC board president.

viding the best possible transportationat th e least possible cost."

The first revenue passenger on the initial run was Martin Huff, auditor-controller for the City of Oakland and atransportation enthusiast.First bus to roll under the new district

banner got away from the Division Fouryard at Seminary and San Leandro Bou-

READY TO ROLL - Crowd of well-wishersw4lve as first bus flying AC Transit bannerleaves Emeryville yards for Treasure Island.

FIRST RIDER-Martin Huff, Oakland auditor-controller and transit enthusiast, dropsfirst fare into AC Transit fare box as driverGuy R. Foster looks on.

levard just over th e wire, at 12:01 a.m.I t was driven by Edward G. Courant,former trainman, who has been with Keysince 1946.

The first Division Three bus, on theNo. 72 line, left th e Richmond yard at21st and Macdonald at 12:45 a.ill., put-ting all divisions into operation within anhour after the official take-over time.

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District, Union Draft New Labor ContractDrivers t:o Receive 29-cent: Wage Increase Over Two-yearPeriod, Improved Working Condit:ions and Ot:her Benefit:s

The basis for a new contract agreement, that will give transit district workers a wage boost and other benefits overa 25-month period, was approved thismonth by the district board of directors.

The proposals will cost the district$611,977 the first year and another $526,-373 th e second year, bu t can be financedfrom existing fares and tax incomes, according to John R. Worthington, ACTransit general manager.

Th e tentative settlement, designed tobring a long period of labor peace andstability to East Bay transit operations,was reached after six weeks of informaltalks with officials of Carmen's Union.

The contract proposals, which alsocarry the recommendation of unionspokesmen, are to be presented to the1,100 membership of the union local for areferendum vote, tentatively October 20.

The two-step wage hike would givesome 875 bus drivers a 29-cent hourlyNew Transit RouteMap Now Available

Transit riders can no t only see how toge t to their destination, they also can getsome ideas on where to go sight-seeingthrough new route maps now available.

The gaily-colored maps, with informalillustrations, show th e streets on whichdistrict lines operate, along with 45 pointsof interest, ranging from th e Alamedabeaches to Woodminster Amphitheater.

The folder, entitled "A Guide for Going Places on AC Transit," has an areamap on one side and a Downtown Oakland detail map, with information on"places to go," on the other side.Copies can be obtained at 1106 Broadway, Oakland .6

increase over the period, with comparative boosts for most other classifications.I t also provides for increased health

and welfare benefits, recognizes Washington's birthday as an additional holiday and liberalizes vacations.

Under the agreement, bus driverswould get a 6.25 per cent pay boost thefirst of next month, raising their salariesfrom $2.40 to $2.55 an hour. They wouldreceive another 5.5 per cent raise December 1, 1961, increasing wages 14 centsto $2.69.

Other employees, with the exceptionof top mechanics, would get the samepercentage boost. Class A mechanicswould get 32 cents an hour hike November 1 and 14 cents a year later, bringingtheir hourly rate to $3.14, as of December 1, 1961.

The settlement, which would extend toNovember 30, 1962, was cited by bothdistrict and union representatives as "fairand equitable" and was held indicativeof the cooperative labor relations that willprevail with AC Transit.

Worthington said he was hopeful thatthe settlement would bring "labor stability" as well as "substantial economies" byreducing labor turn-over.

"With this contract, we are closely approaching parity with other Californiatransit systems, which is a necessity ifthe district is to attract high-quality personnel and reduce labor turn-over, a serious factor in wage costs," he pointed out.F. Vern Stambaugh, union president,told the transit board of directors thatas result of "fairness and cooperationshown by the district we will do our utmost to give our full cooperation and effort in providing the finest transportationsystem in the nation."

Transit: Fares for Children in Easl: BayCuI: to 10 Cents, Zone Charges Dropped

Children under 13 are riding for adime anywhere in the East Bay on Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District lines,as result of one of the first public servicesinaugurated this month after take overfrom Key System.

Under Key, children paid adult cashfares of 25 cents, plus additional zonecharges, a price that added up to substantial sums for many a parent.One-way fare for children riding between the East Bay central zone and SanFrancisco is 20 cents. Travel from Zones2 and 3 is an additional 5 cents.The new schedule, which went into ef-

fect at take-over time, will make it easierand cheaper for mothers, particularly, totake th e youngsters with them shopping.Also in the department of the youngergeneration, the District inaugurated an"emergency" school bus service October3 to serve four East Oakland schools.

The new line, first to be started by thedistrict, was hastily pu t together to takecare of youngsters who were left at thestart of the new school year withoutmeans of reaching Grass Valley Elementary School, King Estates Junior HighSchool, Bishop O'Dowd High School andCastlemont High School.

Eight Seek Election to District BoardEight candidates, including three incumbents, will be seeking election to the

Board of Directors of AC Transit Districton the November 8 general election ballot.

The surprise action of Incumbent J.Howard Arnold of Albany in droppingou t of the race for re-election to Ward 2and instead running for director at largeleaves William Berk of Richmond unopposed for the ward representing EI Cerrito, Kensington, Richmond, San Pablo,EI Sobrante and Albany.Berk, only candidate whose election isassured, is a Richmond business executive and community leader.Arnold will be opposing Robert K.Barber of Kensington, president of thetransit board of directors and a directorat-large.. Other candidates in the director-atlarge race include George H. Adams ofOakland, a Southern Pacific engineer,and Leo Baum of Oakland, owner of adowntown Oakland pharmacy.A contest in Ward 1 will see the in-

cumbent, William H. Coburn, Jr., Berkeley attorney, opposed by Leo W. Brownof Berkeley, a mechanic, and Jack Gibbons of Oakland, a research consultant.

Board Adopts $10,106,000Operating Estimate, Sets UpWorkers' Jobs and WagesThe Board of Directors of AC Transit

adopted a $10,106,000 operating estimatefor the remainder of the fiscal year andcreated 109 job classifications.The operating estimate was set on basisof $8,780,000 expected from revenue, aswell as tax proceeds an d other income,including interest on invested bonds.An estimated surplus of $1,471,000 isanticipated for purposes of establishinga continuing fund guaranteeing availability of money for payment of bond interestand retirement each year as they becomedueThe Board, in establishing 109 job classifications and corresponding salary rates.continued the schedule maintained byKey System Transit Lines. Th e classifications amount to a monthly payroll of$619,200.

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ACTIONS OF THEAt an adjourned regular meeting Sep

tember 28, 1960, the Board of Directors : Authorized the General Manager toconclude execution of agreement for pur-chase of Key System Transit Lines, onmotion of Director Coburn. Approved statement of operating estimates for remainder of fiscal year, set

ting budget at $10,106,000, on motion ofDirector McDonnell. Established 109 job classificationsand corresponding salary rates as required to employ Key System personneland commence district operation, on motion of Vice President Bettencourt.

Adopted Passenger Tariff No.1, retaining fares charged by Key System, except for children, in which case fareswere reduced, on motion of Director Coburn. Approved procedure for investment,deposit and withdrawal of district funds,on motion of Director Coburn.

* * *At the regular meeting October 5, 1960,the Board of Directors: Adopted recommendations of General Manager concerning proposals for atwo-year labor contract negotiated byrepresentatives of the district and Division 192 of the Carmen's Union, on motion of Director Copeland. Authorized President Barber to attend the annual meeting of the AmericanTransit .Association in Philadelphia, onmotion of Vice President Bettencourt.

TRANSIT TIMESAlameda-Contra Costa Transit District1106 BroadwayOakland 7, California

TRANSIT TIMESPublished monthly by the

A L A M E D A - C O N T R A f ' T R A N S I T DISTRICT1106"aib.idway

i i k i t m n i a T e l ~ " ' : ' ; 5 3 5 P II,,::::::> , , .

Alan L. Bingham, EditorBOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROBERT K. BARBER . . . PresidentDirector at largeWM. J. BETTENCOURT . . Vice PresidentWard IVROBERT M. COPELAND Director at LargeWILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. . Ward IJ. HOWARD ARNOLD . Ward IIJOHN McDONNELL Ward II IPAUL E. DEADRICH Ward V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSJOHN R. WORTHINGTON General ManagerROBERT E. NISBET . . AttorneyJOHN F. LARSON . Treasurer--ControllerGEORGE M. TAYLOR . . . Secretary. . . . . . . '0 Approved change of official district

address to 1106 Broadway, Oakland, onmotion of Director Coburn.Patronage Climbs on New

Freeway Express Bus LineFORT WORTH-Time-saving, air-cooledexpress bus service established into

downtown Fort Worth recorded a 50 percent increase in patronage during thesecond week of operation.

The freeway express service, according to officials of the Fort Worth TransitCompany, is expected to show furthergains as additional area residents learnof the new service.

BULK RATEU.S . POSTAGEPAID

Oakland, Cal if_BAR SARA J H'JI)SLIBRARIAN. BUHF .\I) p' l :':: ifiMlJ:.JIVERSITY nF ( ~ ~ ! . I ; ' Permit No . 2105

B F : - < ~ F L E Y 4 CA!.IF i"