transit times volume 10, number 1

8/8/2019 Transit Times Volume 10, Number 1

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. - .~ = = e : T ~ ~ ~ n s . t - t . l n e s / ~ ~ . .. : ~ ~ , - - ~ ~ . '. . ..

New radio network boosts operatingEfficiency, proves of help to ridersAC Transit's operation was beamedto new efficiency this month-and new

drama-as the two-way radio networkcrackled through its first trials andproved its versatility .For drivers it was "beautiful," "terrific,"a "real help."At Central Dispatch headquarters, itwas transportation with every facility ,

.300 buses at the other end of a microphone, ready to be moved in accordancewith any n e ~ d or situation.The advantage of instant communication in improved operations was obvious-and outstanding. The added value to

the District's customers surpassed expectations.The two-way radio link was the meansof quickly and smoothly handling 3,000extra riderswho turned out on a Saturdaymorning to ride to a Vietnam demonstration in San Francisco.It was the means of extending a trans

bay line to 73rd Ave. and East 14th St . ona Sunday afternoon during the CaliforniaCOMMAND POST -Radio-equipped buses,linked by voice withCentral DispatchersLoren Ball, left, andRobert Brower, operate with increased efficiency and securityfrom this station.

Spring Garden Show, so passengers couldmake a direct transfer to the coliseumLine .57C.With the basic fleet of buses now

equipped with handsets, communicationshave been "improved 100 percent," according to Central Dispatcher RobertBrower."An accident or a fire can stop streettransportation. Now, with a radio call,we can detour around any obstruction.

"In mechanical difficulties, it's terrific.We can send help immediately. We cancut buses in on lines that are overloadedwith passengers or call them back if theyaren't needed."Security has been improved. The number of hold-ups has declined. Operatorswere making use of handsets to reportsuspicious riders-as well as to warn ofrowdyism.

In one instance a vandal was arrestedafter a passenger told the driver theyouth was slashing a seat. The operator

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2/5

E. Sam Davis W. E. Robinson R. P. VidellDisl:rict veterans appointed to newPositions in AC Transit deparl:mentsE. Sam Davis returned to AC Transitthis month as director of research andplanning, terminating a leave of absence

taken two years ago to head the NorthernCalifornia Transit Demonstration Project.Davis, whose experience in transportation operations dates back to 1914, willrepresent the district on a staff level inimplementing project recommendations,designed to achieve coordination of thefuture rapid transit network with existingbus facilities .Other Appointments

With the return of "E. Sam," WarrenE. Robinson, acting director of researchand planning during Davis' absence, waselevated to the position of transportationengineer.Robinson went to work for the KeySystem as a mail boy in 1936, bu t twomonths later, moved into the schedulingdepartment- his home since.

During the years, "Robbie" progressedto supervisor, then superintendent ofscheduling, a post he held when Davisleft in April, 1965, to head the coordination study.Robinson serves as the District's representative on the San Leandro Chamberof Commerce and is treasurer of CastroValley Toastmasters. He lives at 16031Gramercy Dr., San Leandro, a southcounty neighbor of Davis, who makes hishome at 17849 Carmel Dr., Castro Valley.

Another neighbor, R. P. Videll, 151252

Wiley St., San Leandro, was appointedsuperintendent of schedules, taking Robins on's for mer position.Videll went to work for the former EastBay Street Railway in 1936 as a file clerkand, like Robinson, traveled the scheduling route through street cars, trains andbuses . He has been serving as supervisorof schedules.

In another departmental change, Arthur De Spiganovicz was appointed acting personnel manager, replacing FrankW. Curcio, who resigned.Spiganovicz, of 7070 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, went to work for KeySystem April 1, 1937, as a junior clerkmessenger. He became an accountant,supervisor of payroll an d timekeepingduring World 'Var II, then superintendent of methods and statistics. From 1947until the District took over in 1960, heserved as assistant controller.New Personnel OfficesA public accountant, "Spig" was elevated from cashier to his new post, moving at the same time into offices on thefourth Roor of Latham Square Bldg.Curcio, of 2701 Las Aromas, Oakland,resigned to become manager of the Merchants Exchange Club in San Francisco.

He joined the District on Nov. 1, 1960,and handled basic records for all employees - including the complex paperwork involved with new employee benefits.

7M4 dud, i4Blind students learn 'feel' of riding

A bus went back to school this month- and became the most patted coach inthe Reet.

The bus, with instructor Harvey Asp,was used to give four blind students atBancroft Junior High School in San Leandro their first practice in using publictransportation. It then was moved toCanyon High School in Castro Valley,where a like number of youngsters hadtheir instruction in how to ride a busand know one "in the dark."Blind students in both Alameda andContra Costa County-a few at a t imeare getting the "feel" and knowledge ofbus riding in an orientation mobility program designed to put them firmly ontheir own two feet- and just as firmly inthe seats of public carriers.Officially, a federal grant from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare finances the program. Under it, blindteen-agers are learning how to get aroundby themselves - to stores and schools,while still in their own neighborhoods .Some now are graduating to bus riding, armed with white canes, eagerness,fun and confidence. Their reaction to

their first experience:"A bus is really boss"The pilot group included YolandaVega, 16, 1842 Fruitvale Ave., an d Maggie Gisslow, 16, 6922 Arthur St., bothof Oakland , and Kay Rogers, 15, 2462Fiji Way , and Rick Lovecchio, 16, 1023Victoria Ave. , both San Leandro.Their first instruction was to feel thebus all the way around. And never hasa coach ha d such a patting!The youngsters investigated the out s ide - including the engine - then went

through the inside. They located handrails, the fare box, practiced how to getchange, pay a fare, request a transfer.They learned how to get off, how to askthe help of the operator. Then they tookpractice runs to acquire experience anda "sense" of traveling.

Waiting for them, at the end of theircourse, was the inevitable examinationpaper- in Braille.Before they pass this course, they'llknow the cost of bus transportation, theseating capacity of a coach, location ofdriver, safety practices, transfer procedures-and "how a bus feels ."

HOW TO RIDE A BUS- Blind teen-agers get first practice in an AC Transit bus, loaned forAlameda County School Department mobility program. Kay Rogers, left, seated, has pas-senger status, as Rick Lovecchio accepts transfer from Instructor Harvey Asp. Helping Rickis mobility instructor Tom Trevena. At right, youngsters get "feel" of coach engine withhelp of Robert McMullen, San Leandro resource teacher for blind.

;::OIU;'r. ") ~ M O K N C I)


3/5

Revenue up for ninemonth periodRecord revenue was collected by AC

Transit during the first nine months ofthe district's current operating year,reaching $1O,945 ,966-an increase of 5.8percent over the same period a year ago.

John F. Larson, treasurer-controller,predicted the income would be sufficientto balance the year's budget on June 30.

Expenses for operating the district'sfleet of 683 buses also were up, to a highof $11,480,874, a gain of 7.4 percent. Anincrease in labor costs of 8.4 percent, to$8,426,900, was the principal reason forthe gain in expenses, Larson said.

The transit official attributed added income primarily to greater use of charterbuses and a rate increase in transbaycommute fares and East Bay children's

Transfers areFor sharingThoughtfulness of bus operator VictorJacobsen in trying to find an old train

transfer for the collection of a youngpassenger brought a surprising delugethis month.Readers of Transit Times, it seems, include others who collect-and share.

The February issue reported on theefforts of Jacobsen to find a line transferfrom the Key System trains to ad d tothe Treasure Island transfer he had givento Debbie Kahane, 14, of 1039 Rose Ave.,Oakland.

Debbie, who started collecting transfers two years ago after riding with ACTransit to school, received more than a"token" response.Transfers from every street car lineoperating in the East Bay in the 1920'swere sent to the girl by Vernon Sappers,4

fares, effective last year.Over the past five years, operating income for the same nine-month period hasincreased 14.7 percent.Despite rainy weather and the "tightmoney" economy, transbay buses arecarrying more passengers than ever -

with midday shoppers adding to thecount.

Transbay riding jumped to 10,290,766riders, an increase of 5.82 percent overthe '9,724,689 of a year ago. East Bayriding, however, dropped off during thenine months, to 28,176,446 passengers, adecrease of 2.06 percent.

In the total number of riders carried,the District managed to just about holdits own. The tally reached 38,467,212,down 0.07 percent.

East Bav railroad an d transit historian.John C. Nicolosi of Oakland, transferand token collector, offered to share hiscollection, including transfers from othercities. Others sent along samples, boosting Debbie's hobby' to some 1,500 different transfers.

One response came from Jack Eisen,reporter on th e Washington Post, directfrom the U.S. Senate press gallery.His letter made class headlines atDebbie's school, Piedmont High. He included a batch of San Francisco an dOakland street car transfers-and his ownboyhood recollections of riding locallines.

It was a "historic" report for the historyclass. As Debbie said:"I t isn't every day you hear from theSenate press gallery!"

Indignation prompts me to write thisletter. . . . I boarded this .bus just as itwas about to leave and was followed bya child of school age. . . . I t was onlyafter the bus had started up and was inthe intersection that the child startedscreaming for her. mother. The driverlooked across the street where passengershad just disembarked from a 72 bus andsaw the child's mother. He motioned forher to cross to the bus stop . . . wherehe waited. . . . I saw her deliberatelywait for two light changes before sheslowly crossed to board the bus . Insteadof thanking the driver for this courtesy,she was extremely belligerent and abusive . . . I think it . . . time someonecame to the defense of our drivers whoare continually subjected to harassmentand this kind of treatment .. .

F. GreenOakland

I want to congratulate you upon theexcellence of your driver (MelchorOcampo) who showed me such kindconsideration and courtesy in theheavy rain . . . all of your drivers areefficient and courteous, bu t he was exceptionally so . . . Mrs. Virginia Arnold

Berkeley

I t gives me so much pleasure to writeletters of praise for deserving operators

.. . this is especially for #1698 (1. H.Kidd) . . . he really represents very highly your Negro operators. Their personalappearance in neatness is 100 percent.They are efficient and courteous-alwayssmiling. Such qualities are a must for allthose who serve on public transportation.

"

Annette JordanSan Leandro

could not the benches at the NEcorner of 20th and Franklin be movedcloser to the bus stop? Today, before Icould get from the bench (I am handicapped somewhat in walking) to the busstop, the #76 which I wanted sloweddown bu t didn't stop. Had the benchesbeen opposite the bus stop sign, thedriver would have noticed me andstopped . . .

(The company owning the bencheshave moved them to a more convenientposition.--Ed.)

"

L. E. AndersonOakland

. . . you invite comment on your Freeway Train . I realize . . . you wanted comments from riders, however may I sayhow impressed I was by such an imaginative solution to the problem of modernmass transportation . . .

Graeme A. HoodVictoria, Australia

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4/5

Retirement ahead for workersAfter years of making up pay checksfor salaried personnel and pensioners,Mrs. Alice Haywood, senior clerk in theaccounting department, will have her

chance at "receiving" July 1, when sheretires from 32 years of service.The District's main contact with the"old timers," Mrs. Haywood sends out$25,000 in checks each month to some262 pensioners-many of them long-timefriends and one-time fellow workers.He r service began July 1, 1935, as a

stenographer-clerk in timekeeping. Sheworked under a series of company namesand bosses, culminating her career withJ. F . Larson, treasurer-controller for ACTransit.

With her husband, Howard, she plansto enjoy patio living at their home, 710

ALICE HAYWOOD finds place on pensionrolls, ioins others in retirement.East 23rd St., Oakland, along with twodogs and assorted wild birds. Cooking,sewing and travel also are on the agenda.James C. Ritchie, 67, of 1639 CurtisSt., Berkeley, retiring June 1, can tell youexactly what he's done with his time-atleast since th e District took over in 1960.Working alone, he's painted the outside of 157 AC Transit buses, givingthem the new color scheme (he's changedcolors three times since he went to workin 1945).6

Ritchie and his wife plan to retire toSanta Cruz.Others pensioned June 1 include FredC. Barnes, 62, who "would be working

yet if they hadn't taken off the trains."He's turned in his brass, bu t not hisrolling stock.Barnes has a model railroad, bu t in

stead of confining it to a workshop, runsit through all of his home at 2732 78thAve., Oakland. He spent 14 years at thecontrols of Key System trains beforeturning to bus driving in 1958, workingout of Seminary Division.

Another "whistle and gong" man, JohnM. DeCoite, 65, 1738 Nelson St., San Leandro, also moved from trains to busesin 1958, but hasn't done much changingsince. He's been driving since that yearon Line 88 in West Oakland and feelshe's left behind a lot of friends. His service dates back to Aug. 13, 1941.Richard L. Edwards, 65, 520 EverettSt., EI Cerrito, closing the books on 28years of work, started on th e street carsin January, 1939, then took over the

wheel six months later. He worked laston Line 12 out of Emeryville Division.His plans include a trip to San Salvador,Central America, in September.

Luther L. Wilson, 62,1114 Evely n Ave.,Albany, spent his past four years on theTreasure Island line-"the best run wehave." He worked briefly in the shopsbefore he became a bus driver in 1945,plans now to "take it easy-watchingweeds grow."

M. E. Willis, 65, of 653 Clara St., Oakland, has given up driving for AC Transit, bu t plans to "keep on preaching."He's been pastor of the San LeandroBible Church for the past seven years.A long-time driver on Line 14 (Brookdale Ave.-Emeryville), Willis went towork on the street cars in 1927, becamea bus driver in 1932.

AC / transit PASSENGER REVENUE ... COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEAR1,240,0001,220 ,0001,200 ,0001,180 ,000

.." -- """ 1&/'" ,,160 ,0001,140,0001,120 ,0001,100,0001,080,0001,060,0001,040,0001,020,0001,000 ,000

" '" , "l J ' \ '" / j """ ;, I, \ ...., / ' \ ," - ,fl . /980,000960,000940 ,000

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5/5

At an adjourned regular meeting April26, the Board of Directors : Authorized personnel and salary adjustments in scheduling, and research

and planning departments, and return ofE. Sam Davis to full-time employment asDirector of Research and Planning, onmotion of Director Coburn. (See story,Pg.2.)

Supported passage of several measures before State Legislature affectingtransit industry, and approved modification of agreement with Bay Area RapidTransit District regarding BARTD purchase of a portion of Richmond Divisionproperty, on motion of Director Rinehart.

Published monthly by theALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICTLatham Square Building 508 Sixteenth Streeto"akland, California 94612 Telephone 6547878

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJOHN McDONNELL.

Word IIIWILLIAM E. BERK. . Word IIROBERT M. COPElAND.RAY H. RINEHART.

WIlliAM H. COBURN, JR..WM. J. BETTENCOURT . . .E. GUY WARREN

President. Vice President

Director at LargeDirector at Large

Word I. Word IV.. Word V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSKENNETH F. HENSEL . General ManagerROBERT E. NISBET . . . . . AttorneyJOHN F. LARSON. . Treasurer-Controlle,GEORGE M. TAYlOR. .. . SecretoryALAN l. BINGHAM . . . Public Information Manager____________ ______________-'

Radio 'voice' gives huses new mohility(Continued from page 1)quietly radioed Central Dispatch and theword was passed in turn to Richmondpolice . The youth shortly was removedby a patrol car.

For driver L. F . Manning, the radionetwork "paid for itself' when an elderlywoman had a heart seizure on his Foothill Blvd. coach. He radioed in to askCD to call the fire department an d anambulance. Their prompt response wascredited for her revival.

Operator George "Ted" Maltby madethe news - and TV channels - ~ h e n hereported a broken gas main in the Piedmont fines area of Oakland. Maltbysmelled the odor of gas and noticed thestreet had dropped slightly at CheltonAlameda-Contra Costa Transit DistrictLatham Square Building

Oakland, California 94612

and Chelsea Drs. As a result of his radiowarning, CD called PG&E; barricadeswere erected and buses detoured. Thecall apparently was the first alert forwhat developed into a mammoth slide.

Driver ';Y o L. Prather used his radio toask dispatching headquarters to notifythe fire department when he saw flamesin a Berkeley building. Then he grabbedhis own fire extinguisher and put out theflames before help arrived.Drivers agreed the radio a,dded totheir feeling of security and was of outstanding help in efficiency. They wereespecially pleased-in Manning's words"because we can do a better job for ourcustomers than ever before."

(fuuu W1 N SAMMiT,- uReturn Requested 201 8 CHANNING WAY

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