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--OWN TO BUSINESS - John L. McDon-nell, right, newly elected president ofBoardof Directors, and William E. Berk, vicepresident, face first challenge - preliminary figures on budget requirements.New oHicers electedTo head transit board

John L. McDonnell was elected thismonth as president of AC Transit'sboard of directors, taking over Districtleadership during a year when challenges can be expected along withcontinued progress.

A member of the Board since theDistrict was created by voters in N0 -vember, 1956, McDonnell brings to thepost a backlog of experience in business and community activity.

Elected as vice president was William E. Berk, also a well-known EastBay businessman and civic leader. . '

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For the Good f Your CommunityOAKLAND, JANUARY, 1967

Northbound buses moveOff Broadway; parallelService runs smoothl,Almost without a hitch, all northbound buses moved off Broadway between 9th and 22nd Sts . this month toclear the way for Bay Area Rapid Transit construction - a detour unduplicated in downtown Oakland history.

Buses were routed to Franklin St.,where briskly-moving parallel servicewas offered to passengers.Southbound buses continued to useBroadway, keeping to schedules withthe aid of barricaded roadways.

The new traffic pattern is expectedto be in effect for two years and potentially concerns the riding habits ofmore than 80,000 passengers, carriedinto and out of the downtown sectiondaily by AC Transit buses.

The change was necessitated byBARTD construction of the Broadwaysubway, including stations at 12th and19th Sts. The switch was made in asingle move, rather than piecemeal,to minimize inconvenience andconfusion.

On the part of District personnel,it meant a detailed job o f planning -including the moving of 642 busschedules a day from Broadway toFranklin. Affected were the boardinghabits of passengers using 15 differentbus lines - who found their stops in

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New service paHern goes into eHect;Rapid transit work changes Broadway(Continued on Page 1)virtually identical locations, on e blockeast.

Coach stop poles an d signs weremoved ahead o f time to the new locations, benches went along, an d th ecity painted curbs re d to mark loadingzones. Meters were capped an d signsposted to prohibit automobile parkingon the east side of Franklin St. between10 a.m . an d 6 p .m . to facilitiate th emovement of th e buses.On Broadway, signs were posted atabandoned stops, advising passengers

they would find bus service on e blockaway. Stops also were changed on buslines that cross Broadway, so riderscould make convenient connectionswith northbound coaches on Franklin.The change wa s well publicizedahead of time in newspaper ads an dreleases an d in radio announcement.Ca r cards were posted in all buses,notifying passengers of th e routing.Under the ne w traffic pattern, buseswhich normally travel north on Telegraph Ave. are turning off Franklin at15th St. an d crossing Broadway to stopat th e Latham Square shelter beforeproceeding on usual routing.Other buses continue north onFranklin, returning to regular route on20th, 21st or 22nd Sts.I t was th e first time in Oakland'stransportation history that scheduledFifth award forMaintenance efficiency

AC Transit's high level of equipment maintenance has been recognized for the fifthtime with the District again winning theFleet Owner Maintenance Efficiency Award.Th e Award, given by Fleet Owner, national trade magazine, pays tribute to achievement of best balance between low maintenance costs and reliable, trouble-free operation. Particularly, it reflects efficiency inshop procedures and practices.

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transit service was removed from th estreet on northbound trips .Since th e first horse car left th e footof Broadway on Oct. 30, 1869, majortransportation carriers - from hayburners to diesel - have travelednorthward on Broadway, with wheelsstopped only during parades andstrikes. Northbound automobile trafficalso was being restricted.CHANGED ROUTING - Map shows newnorthbound routing of bus lines moved toFranklin St. for construction of rapid tran-si t facilities.

11::DZArZ 15th ST.

12th ST.

9th ST.

TheGoldenWheel Supervisor wins top honor

Patience, tolerance - an d ability -shown by Supervisor A. P. Valtakis inhandling school children at loadingareas has won for him the District'stop honor, the Golden Wheel Award.Valtakis was selected for th e awardafter W. P. Beall, chief of the BerkeleyPolice Department, wrote to compliment th e supervisor for th e "outstanding an d effective" manner in which hecontrolled large groups of c h i l d r e nTh e letter credited Valtakis withcontrolling even the most obstreperous youngsters an d said any successBerkeley police ha d in reducing juvenile problems on buses an d at boarding points was "enhanced by contributions made by Valtakis ."Presentation of a lapel pin, certificate an d $50 U.S. Savings Bond wa smade to th e supervisor by H. M . Davis,executive assistant to General Manager K. F. Hensel. Appropriately, thehonor was extended on Valtakis' 52ndbirthday, Dec. 27.Th e date also marked th e 21st anniversary of the day Valtakis qualified asa street car motorman at th e old Cen-

Another revenue recordA break in weather - an d approad.of the holiday season - resulted ina ne w daily revenue record on EastBay intercity express lines Monday,

Dec. 12, when $3349.56 was droppedin fare boxes.I t was th e fifth time the record wasbroken during the year. Th e previoustop of $3286.08 wa s reached Oct. 7.A ne w daily revenue record for aSaturday also was hi t on Dec. 3, with

$ 2 9 , 4 6 5 ~ 2 4 collected, surpassing theprevious high of $28,712.21, reachedon Big Game Day, Nov. 24, 1964.

TOP WITH KIDS - Supervisor A. P. Val-takis receives Golden Wheel Award fromH. M. Davis, executive assistant to the gen -eral manager, for ability in handlingyoungsters .tral car barns - start of his transitcareer.Th e supervisor left his teachingstudies at University of California in1941 to serve in the Army. He returnedat the en d of World War II to work onthe street cars an d as a bu s driver, bu twas recalled by the Army for a specialassignment in 1948.Duty in Korea followed, where Valtakis said his experiences as adviserfor 3,000 Koreans on the front lineshelped equip him "to get along withanybody."He returned to become a dispatcherin 1954 an d was appointed a supervisor in Sept., 1963. Valtakis an d hiswife, Rosemary, a mathematics teacher,have five children, ranging in age from8 to 24, an d six grandchildren.Th e family home is at 3011 LoganSt., Oakland.

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Operator R. E. Elkinton went looking for gold; found rocks instead -an d couldn't be happier.A driver at the Richmond Division,Elkinton has progressed now beyondthe rockhound stage an d is a lapidary- on e who cuts an d polishes stonesan d in his case, makes them intojewelry.

He gives the jewelry away an d lastmonth, particularly, ha d no Christmasgift problems - he ha d his made.

I t was a bus passenger on Line69 who got Elkinton "hooked" onstones two years ago.He joined the passenger on someprospecting trips on the Trinity andFeather rivers and while looking forgold, th e friend kept an eye out forsemi-precious stones.

They turned out easier to find andBenefits extended

Th e same pension benefits granteddistrict union workers were extendedto 92 non-contract employees by theBoard of Directors, effective Jan. 1.Th e new pension program was ratified last month by AC Transit andDivision 192 of the Carmen's Union.Changes include retirement with fullbenefits at age 60 with a minimum 20years of consecutive service.4

First youStart withA rock ...AT THE WHEEL-OperatorR. E. Elkinton polishesaway, turning stone intopiece of ewelry.

Elkinton also started picking up samples . Then he bought a tumbler an dmade the discovery that a dull-looking rock ca n take on the gleam, colorand interest of a jewel."They just come alive," is th e wayElkinton explains it.Brilliant stones

Th e operator no w has a machinethat cuts, grinds an d polishes an d "i njust about an hour" turns a rock into abrilliant stone.He buys his "raw material" from alapidary shop, picking up small slabswith names of intrigue - moss agatefrom Arizona, a tawny tiger eye an d ablue tiger ey e from Africa, gold obsidian and blood stone from Oregon.Bu t his toughest job is a piece ofpetrified wood. Elkinton has spent sixmonths working on a piece that heno w has shaped into a rough lookingbutton . Harder than stone, th e petrified wood has a match mate - a translucent, shadowy grey cuff link - a goalwell worth matching .A former truck driver, Elkinton, 45,works the night board and finds timefor his hobby during the day, workingin a garage behind hi s apartment at38-13th St., Richmond. He also has aninterest in archery - with a target inview, rather than hunting .

rl

Contributors to transit progressFinish iob; plan retirement schedule

Th e "crying towel" is about to looseits status in the office ofT . P. McLean,superintendent of Seminary Division.

"Mac," who in 44 years of servicehas worked with almost everybody onth e property, has applied for retirement April I- jus t after his 67th birthday.Th e towel, which hangs on his wall,proclaims a philosophy familiar tomany an operator:"The boss isn't always right, bu the's boss ." And no crying!McLean, who believes in "treatingeverybody th e wa y I 'd like to betreated myself," has retirement plansfor more gardening at his home, 14845Midland Rd., San Leandro, an d forcontinued bowling and short trips.

He started as a street car conductorin 1923, worked many a shift as a on eman operator, moved to bus driving in1933, became an instructor, then asupervisor, and, in 1946, superintendent of street cars. A year later, hewas promoted to superintendent ofSeminary Division.

Veterans just recently pensioned include :

C. F. Warfield, 65, accounting supervisor at the General Office. Warfield,no w living at 1161 Leisure Lane,Manor 2, Walnut Creek, went to workfor Key System in 1946 as a senior accountant. He is an expert at small boat

sailing and photography, is a developing author and, with his wife, is a ne wbicycle riding fan.

Ir a G. Bass, 66, 1153 McKinley Ave.,Oakland, went to work for Key Systemin 1929 as a motorman, soon switchedto buses . He spent most of his drivingtime on the transbay C an d E lines,an d will devote his spare time no w tooil an d water color painting.

Samuel F. Rigley, 69, 2400 PepperDr., Concord, worked as fireman andengineer of the Buffalo division of thePennsylvania Railroad before he cameto Key System in 1945 .. . after "shivering around long enough in that cab insub-zero weather."

He organized th e Key System Postof the American Legion and as an active member of the Carmen's Union,was on the Board of Governors for th eBenevolent Fund. He plans no w to dosome trailer traveling .

Louis Paulsen, born on ChristmasDay, 1900, an d retired on Ne w Year'sDay, 1967, worked on the one-mancars after entering service in 1935. Hemoved over to buses in 1938 an d alsospent a lot of time on Lines C an d E.He's already enjoying "getting uplate" at a home he built in Felton .

Clifford D. Robbins, pensioned effective Fe b . 1 - hi s 66th birthday -started in 1941 as a train conductor,moved to bus driving in 1958 an dspent his whole time on the Grove St.an d 14th Ave. lines (No. 15).

He an d hi s wife, Ruth, also a formertrain conductor, are planning tripsfrom their home, 117 Bristol Blvd., SanLeandro.OUT OF THE WINDOW - A life-time intransit is being wrapped up by T. P. McLean, transportation superintendent atSeminary Division and another of thetransportation veterans shifting to retirement.

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Directors face year of challenge(Continued from Page 1)

McDonnell, 59, owner of nurseriesin Oakland, Orinda an d Walnut Creek,has served for the past two years asvice president under William H .Coburn, Jr., who steps down as headof the board. Coburn, a Berkeley attorney, will continue to serve as directorof Ward I.Th e ne w officers are assuming dutiesin a period when the District will face

I 111 Memoriam IJAMES C. McBRIEN, 88 , on e ofth e last veterans of early ferry boatdays, died Nov. 10. A chief engineerwhen he retired in 1940, Mr. McBrienwent to work in 1905 on the third KeyRoute boat, th e "San Francisco." Heretained a keen memory - an d interes t - in transit history. Mr. McBrienlived at 5425 Thomas Ave ., Oakland.

GASTON P. SALLES, 68, died onNov. 9, a year after he retired from th estores department. Salles, who livedat 1624 Curtis St., Berkeley, went towork as a stock clerk in 1945 after helost his right hand in an accident. Hewas a champion in th e field of growingroses, with a collection of trophies,ribbons an d a national reputation.LAWRENCE JENSEN, 75, of 551West Grand Ave ., class A mechanicwho worked on trains, street cars an dbuses during his years of service, 1937until April 1, 1957, died Nov. 8.

RALPH H. JONES, 66, died in Ferndale Oct. 7. He entered as a street ca roperator in 1934 an d drove buses from1935 until retirement in 1965.

JOHN R. CAMERON, died Dec. 30,one day before his 86th birthday. Helived at 710 Masonic Ave., Albany, an dworked as a street car operator from1926 until 1934, when he switched tobuses. He wa s pensioned in 1957.6

th e anticipated necessity of seekingadditional financial support fromsources other than passenger revenuean d property taxes.

During the year ahead, th e Boardalso will be sifting forthcomingrecommendations resulting from atwo-year study of the Northern California Demonstration Project, to coordinate East Bay an d San Franciscotransportation services with th e rapidtransit network.

McDonnell, of 5109 Cochrane Ave.,Oakland, is active in business andprofessional circles an d is well knownfor his dedication to church affairsas a Catholic layman .

Among old-time Key System employees, he has a memorable ti e withtransportation as nephew of th e lateJames McNamara, who retired in 1947as maintenance superintendent aftera 52-year span which ranged from thefirst trolley to motor coach operations.

Another uncle was the late Joe McNamara - known affectionately as"Bunco Joe" at every Key division.A veteran street car motorman untilhe was injured in the job, "Bunco Joe"was a supplier of coin changers an dother paraphernalia for early workers.Economy in Service

Berk, first elected to the board in1960, as director of Ward II , ha sstressed economy and better servicefor transit users an d taxpayers .A native of Richmond, he is president of Timmons an d Berk, Inc ., aplumbing contracting firm, an d isactive in a dozen housing, buildingan d contracting associations, as wellas in civic an d social organizations.He is a director of ColumbusFounders Savings an d Loan Assn. an dthe Richmond Chamber of Commerce.A well known sports fishing an d Hyingenthusiast, Berk lives in Richmond at450 Mount St.

AC / transit PASSENGER REVENUE, , COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEAR1,240,0001.220 .0001,200,0001,180 ,00 0

lilt.." /......" ,,160 ,0001,140 ,000

1,120 ,0001,100,0001,080 ,0001,060 ,0001,04 0,0001,020 ,0001,000 ,00 0

\ \. '- / ) J"\ J. ,""- "', \ A; ~ ~ v ' \'I": "'I11III".. ........ '/ .I

980 ,00 0960,00 0940,000

I " ,'"

aiUJU. a::n. >-:;:UJZ::).

, . -1966- 1965I

1964,uo

"lI'

>oz uUJo

Passenger revenue showed an increase in November, totaling $1,132,254, up$54,961 or 5.10 per cent over revenue of$1,077,293 collecte d in November, 1965.The number of passengers carried, however, totaled 4,297,350, a decrease of1.7 per cent . Of the total rider count, East Bay lines was down 3.57 per cent,while transbay lines showed an increase of 3.92 per cent.Transbay commute book sales were up, reaching $187,440, an increase of1,8 per cent over year-ago sales of $184,141.Revenue increases were attributed primarily to a raise in transbay commuterates and East Bay children's fares which went into effect l ast January.

The district operated 1,921,086 miles o f service, an increase;of 24,392 milesor 1.29 per cent over mileage of the same month in 1965. Operational costsreached $1,286,933, up $103,359 or 8.73 per cent,Total income of $1,447,430 was sufficient to cover all operational costs andbond debt requirements, bu t leaving a deficit in depreciation reserves for themonth of $24,918.The transit industry nationally indicate a riding decrease of 0,81 per cent.

New passenger shelter for downtown OaklandA ne w transit passenger shelter willbe built in downtown Oakland at the

City Hall Plaza on 14th St., betweenBroadway an d Washington St. Th econstruction, estimated to cost $4500,will provide shelter for approximately2,000 riders who us e the loading area

for transba y service an d for locallines .The Downtown Property OwnersAssn. and the transit district will pa yfor the cost of the shelter, and the Cityof Oakland will provide landscapingan d maintenance.

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ACTIONS OF THE BOARDAt an adjourned regular meeting

Dec. 28, the Board of Directors: Extended improvements in pension plan to all non-contract employ

ees, on motion of Vice PresidentMcDonnell.

Requested comprehensive studyof service needs and traffic potentialsin areas of West Contra Costa County,including area of Sherwood Forest andTara Hills, and expressed no objectionto an extension of time for SherwoodForest to commence annexation proceedings, on motion of Director Berk."* "* "*t a regular meeting Jan. 11, theBoard of Directors:

Elected Director McDonnellPresident of the Board, on motion ofDirector Bettencourt. (See story, Pg. 1).

Elected Director Berk Vice President of the Board, on motion of Director Warren.

Engaged Mund, McLaurin & Co.,insurance analysts, to survey Districtinsurance coverage, on motion ofDirector Rinehart.

Denied request from Radio Cor-

Publ ished month ly by theALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICTLatham Squ are Build ing 508 Sixteenth StreetOakland, California 94612 Telephone 654 -7878

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJOHN McDONNelL. . PresidentW ard IIIWILLIAM E. BERK . . . . . . . . Vice PresidenfW a rd IiWILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. . . . . . . . Ward IROBERT M. COPELAND. Director at LargeRAY H. RINEHART. . . . . . . . Direc tor at LargeWM . J. BETTENCOURT. . . . . . . . . . Wa rd IVE. GUY WARREN . . . . . . . . . . . . Wa rd V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSKENNETH F. HENSEL . . . . . General ManagerROBERT E. NISBET . . . . . . . . . . . . AttorneyJOHN F. LARSON. . . . . . . . Treasurer-Controlle,GEORGE M. TAYLOR. . . . . . . . . . . SecretaryALAN L. BINGHAM . . . . Public Information Manager___________ ____________

poration of America for extension oftime to complete installation of twoway bus radio system, on motion ofDirector Berk.

Authorized Director Coburn,General Manager and Executive Assistant to General Manager to attendspecial meeting of American TransitAssociation, on motion of DirectorCopeland.

Additional workers join AC Transit familyA District welcome was in order this

month for following new workers:General Office

Accounting: Rhea M . Ahn of Albany,secretary.

Treasury: Leslie F. Saywell of Hayward, cashier clerk.

Emeryville DivisionBus Operators: S. C. Anderson, JerryWilliams Jr., David Harper, H. L.

Thornton, Joseph Williams, W. E.Thibeaux, Samuel Toney, Jr., al l ofOakland; W. H. Palmer, Walnut Creek;Richard Linz and J. G. Brown, SanFrancisco; A. B. Morris , El Cerrito.

BULK RATE1,1. S. PostogeAlameda-Contra Costa T ~ a n s i t DistrictLatham Square Building

Oakland, California 94612 GOODWiN SAM MSt.2018 CHANNING WAYBERKEL:; i . , CA 91704

U-5 PAIDOokland, Calif.Perm it #2105

Retu rn Requested