How To Build A Better Bus Service: Any Ideas, Pinole and Hercules?

East Bay residents are getting another chance to offer ideas on a plan for expanded Alameda-Contra Costa Transit service, district officials said. Officials said residents have until the end of the month to comment on the service expansion plan.

Comments can be made at actransit.org/sep, by sending an email to planning@actransit.org, by calling (510) 891-7293 or by sending a letter to AC Transit Planning Department, SEP Comments, 1600 Franklin St., Oakland, CA 94612. AC Transit officials said they have come up with about 40 recommendations as part of the plan.

The recommendations include new, expanded and improved schedules and routes, according to the district. AC Transit spokesman Clarence Johnson said the plan is an attempt to restore service to its pre-2010 level, before it was cut by nearly 15 percent. Over the past two to three years, officials have been making modest increases in service, Johnson said.

“Now we are taking a major step in that direction,” he said. Service could increase by up to 14 percent with the plan’s approval. Weekend service is set to increase the most, Johnson said. AC Transit officials said they made the plan available for public review earlier this year.

This month’s review is another chance for residents to give their suggestions before the district holds a public hearing, set for sometime in September, Johnson and AC Transit officials said. AC Transit board of directors president Chris Peeples said the plan is the result of the reauthorization of the Alameda County Transportation Commission Measure BB sales tax. The measure is providing about $30 million in revenue each year toward bus service.

The district’s website gives information about the plan in other languages. Residents who speak Spanish can also call (510) 891-7291 to get information or give ideas in Spanish. Mandarin or Cantonese speakers can call (510) 891-7292 to get information or leave a comment in their language.

By Bay City News