Report No:
Meeting Date:
14-267b
January 14, 2015
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
STAFF REPORT
TO:
AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM:
David J. Armijo, General Manager
SUBJECT:
Public Hearing for Spring 2015 Service Improvements
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION($):
1. Receive public comment regarding:
a) 2015 Service Expansion; and
b) New Service on Street Segments not previously served in Oakland; and
c) Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the 2015 Service Expansion and New
Service on New Street Segments in Oakland.
2. Consider approving one San Pablo Corridor Service Expansion Option.
3. Consider approving the findings set forth in Section 1 of Resolution No. 15-003
concerning the Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the 2015 Spring Service Expansion
Plan and Service on New Streets in Oakland.
4. Consider adopting Resolution No. 15-003.
Staff requests the same day approval of Resolution No. 15-003 to allow time to implement the
changes in the Spring 2015 driver sign-up. Any postponement of this decision will delay
implementation until the Summer 2015 sign-up.
Subsequent to the November 12, 2014 Board meeting, staff concluded that the District
previously operated along the street segments in Alameda, as originally proposed in the
expansion plan for Line 31. Consequently, Line 31 changes were not included in this public
hearing but will automatically be included in the Spring 2015 sign-up.
Public comments received prior to the hearing will be summarized and included as Attachment
6.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Specific expansion proposals include two options to increase weekend service along the San
Pablo Corridor on Lines 72, 72R and 72M in West Contra Costa County; weekend service on
lines 46, 339 and extended weekday trips on Line 680 to the East Bay Innovation Academy in
Northern Alameda County. In South Alameda County, proposals include increased spans on
Saturdays on lines 200 and 212, and increased weekend frequency on line 217. In addition to
the increase in service hours, changes on Lines 680 and NL require new service on street
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Report No. 14-267b
Page 2 of 8
segments not previously served in Oakland.
The District hired a consultant to conduct a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
analysis and their initial study determined a negative declaration was the appropriate filing for
this project. Staff also conducted a Title VI Analysis, which showed there are no disparate
impacts to minority populations from all the proposed changes. Direct mailings to affected
properties and the regular outreach methods were deployed for the public hearing noticing.
Staff will develop a marketing campaign for the approved changes prior to implementation in
March.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Depending on which option the Board approves for the San Pablo Corridor service, the total
cost of the proposed expansion plan is between $373,430 and $450,486 for the remainder of FY
2014-15; and between $1,521,497 and $1,829,721 annually, assuming a marginal rate of $86.
There is no fiscal impact associated with service on new streets.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
a)
Spring Service Expansion
With an improved financial situation and the passing of Measure BB, the District is able to
consider expanding service and staff has developed a series of District-wide expansion
proposals totaling approximately $2.5 million. The minor expansion adjustments went into
effect in December 2014. Under Board Policy 163, eight of these proposals are major
adjustments and require a public hearing due to the increase in weekend service hours, or
service on new street segments not previously served. Attachment 2 describes the costs
associated with these changes along with the service details.
Increased Weekend service on the San Pablo Corridor
Lines 72 and 72M currently operate at 30-minute frequencies on the weekend. As Line 72R
does not run on the weekend, these two lines experience regular overcrowding. Staff proposes
two options for expanding weekend service to accommodate the heavy ridership and growing
demand:
Option 1: Operate Line 72R, which currently runs only on weekdays, every 15 minutes
between 9:00a.m. and 8:00p.m.
This option would require an additional15,008 platform hours and costs $1,290,688 annually to
operate, or $322,672 for the remainder of FY14/15.
Option 2: Operate lines 72 and 72M every 20 minutes, an increase from the current weekend
30-minute frequencies.
12
Report No. 14-267b
Page 3 of 8
The lines will maintain the same service spans, but will operate at increased frequencies of
every 20 minutes on Saturday and Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This option
requires 11,424 additional platform hours and costs approximately $982,464 annually to
operate, or $245,616 for the remainder of FY 14/15.
Both options will provide better overall service with higher frequencies along the San Pablo
corridor - the primary trunk line for West Contra Costa County. Only Option 2 will provide
better service in Richmond along Macdonald Avenue and to Hilltop Mall but with less frequency
south of the Del Norte BART Station than Option 1.
Staff recommends Option 2 for Board approval, pending the outcome of public comments, as it
provides greater geographic equity with better service provision in Richmond. In addition, the
Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) will provide further recommendations for the 72
lines, which may include a larger expansion, service design and rebranding effort for the 72
Rapid. Staff would like to wait for this expansion effort before significantly changing the
weekend Rapid. Staff will likely implement phase 1 ofthe COA changes in conjunction with the
Fall 2015 sign-up, pending Board approval.
Weekend service on Line 46 to the Oakland Zoo
For many years staff has received requests for weekend service to the zoo from passengers and
Oakland Zoo staff. The zoo receives most of its visitors on the weekend, and this expansion will
support local access to a recreational facility for families in Oakland and the Inner East Bay, and
help regional access through the connection at Coliseum BART. In addition, staff received
requests for Sunday service on Line 46 to provide access to churches in the area.
The service span deliberately mirrors the opening hours of the zoo and so the service runs
between 9:00a.m. and 5:00p.m., which is shorter than the weekday span. As the zoo receives
more visitors in the summer vacation period, increasing the frequency for summer weekend
service from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes will better accommodate the increase. The
non-summer weekend frequencies will remain the same as the weekday at GO-minute
frequencies.
The weekend expansion requires 1,067 additional platform hours and costs approximately
$91,762 annually to operate, or $15,996 for the remainder of FY 2014-15.
Weekend Service on Line 339 to the Chabot Space and Science Center
Over the years, both passengers and staff at Chabot Space and Science Center have requested
AC Transit service to the Center on weekends. The Chabot Center, much like the zoo, receives
most of their visitors on the weekends. This expansion will provide transit access for local
visitors as well as visitors from across the region via the connection at the Fruitvale BART
Station.
The service span of the weekend route coordinates with the opening times of the Center - 9:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The weekend service
will operate at an increased 40-minute frequency, providing better service than the weekday
service for the higher weekend demand.
13
Report No. 14-267b
Page 4 of 8
In addition to the Chabot Center, there are other weekend destinations on the route, which
should help increase productivity. Other destinations include the Greek Orthodox Church, the
Mormon Temple and Wood minster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. The weekend service
also provides better frequency along Fruitvale Avenue. The new service will provide transit
access at the busiest times for the Center and will grow ridership on the line.
The weekend expansion requires an additional 2,544 service hours and costs approximately
$218,784 annually to operate, or $54,696 to operate for the remainder of FY 20114-15.
Saturday Span Extension of Line 212
In December 2013, staff implemented the South County Restructuring Plan, which included
new weekend service on Line 212. Line 212 serves Pacific Commons, a major retail destination
that includes a movie theater, along with many restaurants. Staff concluded there is enough
late night activity on the weekend to warrant a late night service to Pacific Commons.
The expanded service will require an additional 312 platform hours at an annual cost of $26,832
to operate, or $6,708 to operate for the remainder of FY 2014-15.
Saturday Span Extension of Line 200
The South County Restructuring Plan implemented the new Line 200, which serves the major
corridors in Fremont and Newark along Mowry Avenue and Decoto Road. The Line also serves
New Park Mall and other major retail and restaurant destinations around Lido Faire. Staff
concluded there is enough late night activity on Saturday nights to warrant a late night service
to these major corridors.
The expanded service will require an additional 676 platform hours and an annual cost of
$58,136 to operate, or $14,534 to operate for the remainder of FY 2014-15.
Weekend Increased Frequency on Line 217
Line 217 experienced significant increased weekend ridership over the last year, largely due to
the opening of the North Western Polytechnic University on Warm Springs Boulevard. Many of
their students rely on AC Transit for their commute and some trips on Line 217 suffer from
overcrowding issues. Staff proposes to relieve the weekend overcrowding by increasing the
frequency from 40-minute headways to 30-minute headways.
The expanded service will require an additional 1,568 platform hours at an annual cost of
$134,848 to operate, or $33,712 for the remainder of FY 2014-15.
Extending Line 680
The District received a request for new bus service from the East Bay Innovation Academy
{EBIA), a new Oakland Unified School District charter school serving grades 6-12. The new
school is located at 3400 Malcolm Avenue in Oakland.
Staff recommends extending Line 680 {Lakeshore to Bishop O'Dowd) to serve EBIA. The existing
service carries 22-28 passengers per trip and has sufficient remaining capacity to accommodate
14
Report No. 14-267b
Page 5 of8
the additional loads from EBIA. Attachment 3 shows a map of the existing and proposed Line
680.
The proposal requires an additional 101 annual platform hours at an annual cost of $8,671 to
operate, or $2,168 for the remainder of FY14/15.
b)
New service on street sections not previously served in Oakland
Attachments 3 and 4 show the following proposed new street sections for revised routes NL
and 680.
Mandela Parkway between West Grand Avenue and ih Street
Staff proposes to serve this street on Line NL at 15 minute frequencies in the peak and 30
minute frequencies in the off-peak between 5:30a.m. and 12:30 a.m. This will allow a re-route
of the Nl to San Francisco to avoid heavy traffic on West Grand Avenue leading onto the
freeway.
106th Avenue east of the MacArthur Freeway; Sheldon Street between Malcom Avenue and
106'h Avenue, Malcom Avenue between Sheldon Street and Maggiora Drive, and Maggiora
Drive.
Staff proposes to serve these streets on weekdays while school is in session for one trip in the
morning and one trip in the afternoon.
Public Outreach
Staff published the required legal notices in the appropriate newspapers and issued a press
release. In addition, an advertisement was published in several local newspapers. Detailed
proposal information was posted to the District website, and printed materials were available
on the buses and sent to key community organizations and locations. A range of electronic
communications -- eNews messages, social media posts, emails to elected officials and
community organizations, and posts on city websites-- directed the public to the District's
website. The public was invited to submit comments in person at the public hearing; in writing
via fax and email, and via separate voicemail boxes in English, Spanish, and Chinese. In addition
to the required notices, staff mailed public hearing notices in English, Chinese and Spanish to
the specific properties lining the routes of the new service on new street segments.
If the Board approves the proposed service changes, AC Transit Marketing & Communications
staff will conduct appropriate outreach to inform riders and affected organizations of the
changes, and also develop a comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign that would be
implemented around the time that the service changes go into effect (March 2015). This
campaign would likely include on-board signage, electronic and other communications, social
media, as well as other methods determined by available budget and staff resources.
15
Report No. 14-267b
Page 6 of8
Title VI Analysis
Staff conducted a service equity analysis to understand the effects of the proposals, in
accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and District policies. The analysis found that the
proposed
changes
would
not
result
in
disparate
impacts
on
Title
VI-protected
populations. Attachment 7 contains details of the analysis.
c)
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the 2015 Service Expansion and New Service
on New Street Segments in Oakland
The District's consultant conducted a CEQA analysis and determined that a negative declaration
was the appropriate filing for this project.
The consultant prepared a Draft Initial Study -
Negative Declaration (DIS/ND), which was posted on the District's website on December 9,
2014. It was also filed with the State Clearinghouse on December 11, 2014, and mailed to the
applicable city and county clerks, school districts and main libraries in the project area. On
December 11, 2014, the public notice regarding the January 14, 2015 public hearing on the
Document and the Project was published in the Oakland Tribune. Additional publications were
made and additional community outreach as outlined elsewhere in this report. The public was
invited to provide comments either in writing before January 12, 2015 or in person at the
January 141h public hearing. To date, no written comments on the environmental document
have been received. Any written comments received will be placed in a binder and made
available for review by the Board and public in the District Secretary's Office. All comments
received, including those provided at the public hearing will be included in the record of
proceedings on the Document and the Project.
Resolution 15-003, Attachment 1, has been prepared for the Board's consideration. The final
Exhibits A and B will be included upon the final Board decision. Since the DIS/ND must be
approved before the Board can act on the 2015 Service Expansion and New Service on New
Streets in Oakland, it is the first action item in the resolution. As of the date of this report, no
comments have been received. A copy of the Document is provided as Attachment 5.
The Board has the discretion of modifying the Project following the close of the public hearing,
although it must be aware that a significant change to the Project would have to be evaluated
to determine if there would be any impact on the DIS/ND. The environmental consultant will
be present to help in this determination so, if possible, the Board can act on the adoption of the
resolution that evening.
Implementation Schedule
The schedule for implementing the aforementioned service changes is as follows:
November 12, 2014
Request the Board to set a public hearing
16
Report No. 14-267b
Page 7 of 8
January 14, 2015
Public Hearing for Service Changes/ Request Board Approval of
Changes
End of January 2015
Finalize Schedule Adjustment in Hastus
March 2015
Implement Service Changes in conjunction with the Spring Sign-up
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of the proposed service expansion is improved bus service thoughout the
District, particularly on weekends where service is lacking, to meet capacity and recreational
attractions.
There are no disadvantages with the proposed service expansion.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff reviewed all possible options for expansion given the existing resources and determined
the increase in weekend service was the best option to optimize the service given limited fleet
resources and division capacity. Weekend service took a large cut in the 2010 service
reductions and this is the first opportunity to try to redress the balance. In addition, the
weekend expansion does not require any additional buses or operators, and is significantly
more affordable than weekday service. If staff were to apply these operating funds to weekday
service, the District would be limited to an expansion of one or two non-trunk routes or minor
span changes, which may not provide the daily ridership benefit as compared to the weekend
proposals in this report.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS/POLICIES:
Board Policy 163- Public Hearings Process for the Board of Directors
Board Policy 100- Board of Directors Rules for Procedure
Board Policy 512- Environmental Evaluations of Transit Disctrict Projects
SR 14-267a- Set Public Hearing for Proposed Spring 2015 Service Expansion on 1/14/15
SR 14-267- Set Public Hearing for Proposed Spring 2015 Service Expansion on 12/10/14
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution 15-003
2. Costs and Service Details of Proposed Service Expansion
3. Map of Proposed Line 680 Extension
4. Map of Proposed Line NL Re-route
5. Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration
6. Summary of Public Comments
7. Title VI Analysis oft he Proposed Spring 2015 Service Expansion
Department Head Approval:
Aida R. Asuncion, Interim Chief Planning, Engineering and
Construction Officer
17
Report No. 14-267b
Page 8 of 8
Reviewed by:
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development
Jim Pachan, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Prepared by:
linda Morris, Senior Transportation Planner
Denise C. Standridge, General Counsel
Sally Goodman, Senior Transportation Planner
Sean Diest Lorgion, Senior Transportation Planner
Stephen Newhouse, Transportation Planner
Becca Homa, Transportation Planner
John Urgo, Transportation Planner
18
SR 14-267b
Attachment 1
ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO. 15-003
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INITIAL STUDY/NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE 2015
SPRING SERVICE EXPANSION PLAN AND NEW SERVICE ON NEW STREETS IN OAKLAND;
AUTHORIZE THE FILING OF A NOTICE OF DETERMINATION; AND APPROVING THE 2015
SPRING SERVICE EXPANSION PLAN AND SERVICE ON NEW STREETS IN OAKLAND
WHEREAS, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (District or AC Transit) Service
Development Department developed a District-wide package of improvements (the Plan) under
the provisions of Board Policy No. 550 (Service Standards and Design Policy) amounting to $2
million annually, as more particularly identified in Staff Report 14-267b; and
WHEREAS, the Plan includes service on streets previously unserved by AC Transit in the
City of Oakland; and
WHEREAS, on November 12, 2014 the District's Board of Directors approved setting a
public hearing on the Plan and Service on New Streets (collectively the Project) at its scheduled
meeting in Oakland on January 14, 2015; and
WHEREAS, notices of this public hearing were published in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Board Policy No. 163, as well as mailed to
affected properties on the new street segments; posted on the District's website and on car
cards in District buses; and
WHEREAS, at the public hearing the Board received oral and written comments from
individuals on the Project; and
WHEREAS, the District retained Rincon Consultants, Inc. to evaluate the environmental
impacts of the Project and to prepare the appropriate draft environmental document under the
provisions of the CEQA) and Board Policy No. 512 (Environmental Evaluations of Transit District
Projects); and
WHEREAS, Rincon's analysis, concurred in by staff, concluded that the Project would
have no significant impact on the environment, as set forth in a Draft Initial Study/Negative
Declaration; and
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2014, the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration
was filed with the State Clearinghouse and with the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder and the
Contra-Costa County Clerk-Recorder; and
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2014, a copy of the public hearing notice and the Draft
Initial Study/Negative Declaration were sent to the city and county clerks, school districts, and
Main libraries in the Project area; and
Resolution No. 15-003
Pagel o/4
19
SR 14-267b
Attachment 1
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2014, a Notice of Public Hearing and Intent to Adopt a
Negative Declaration was published in the Oakland Tribune, a newspaper of general circulation
within the Project area; and
WHEREAS, on December 9, 2014 a copy of the public hearing notice and the Draft Initial
Study/Negative Declaration were posted on the District's website and were available for public
review in the District Secretary's Office located at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the aforementioned notices, the District prepared a brochure
explaining the Project, the availability of the environmental document and the time and place
of the public hearing, as well as car cards which were placed on District buses in the Project
area commencing on December 18, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned brochures were placed on the buses between
December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, public hearing notices were mailed directly to the affected properties on
new route segments and local community groups on December 18, 2014; and
WHEREAS, emails to community groups, eNews and social media posts were sent on
December 18, 19 and 22, 2014; and
WHEREAS, prior to its January 14, 2015 meeting, the Board received Staff Report 14267b regarding the consideration of the Project, including the draft environmental document,
and a Title VI analysis prepared pursuant to Board Policy 551 (Title VI Service Review and
Compliance Report Policy) which concluded that the Project would not have a disproportionally
high and adverse impact on minority or low-income communities in the Project area;
WHEREAS, on December 31, 2014, as well as on January 7, 2015, a Notice of Public
Hearing and Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration was printed in the following newspapers in
the Project area - the Oakland Tribune, Alameda Times Star, Fremont Argus, Hayward Daily
Review, Tri Valley Herald, San Mateo Times, The Post, El Mundo (in Spanish), Sing Tao Daily (in
Chinese), and the West County Times; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors met on January 14, 2015, at the AC Transit General
Office, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California and held a public hearing on the Draft Initial
Study/Negative Declaration and on the 2015 Spring Service Expansion Plan and Service on New
Streets in Oakland; and
WHEREAS, a binder has been compiled containing the oral and written comments
received from the public on the environmental document and the Project received during the
open comment period from December 11, 2014 to January 12, 2015, and it will include
comments received on January 12, 13 and 14, 2015 prior to and at the public hearing, all of
which shall constitute part ofthe public record; and
Resolution No. 15-003
Page2of4
20
SR 14-267b
Attachment 1
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors were provided with copies of the aforementioned
public comments received prior to the public hearing and considered those comments, as well
as comments received at the public hearing, together with the comments of staff and the
content of the staff reports prepared on the environmental document and the Project prior to
making its decision.
NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
does resolve as follows:
Section 1.
With respect to the Initial Study/Negative Declaration, the Board
determines:
1. It complies with the requirements ofthe California Environmental Quality Act and Board
Policy No. 512, as amended on June 26, 2013;
2. The public notices required by the California Environmental Quality Act and Board Policy
No. 163 have been provided, and the minimum requirements for public notice and
opportunity to comment have been exceeded, as more particularly outlined in the
Whereas Clauses to this resolution;
3. The Board considered the proposed Negative Declaration (and public comments, if any
received) before making its decision;
4. The Board finds on the basis of the whole record before it (including the initial study and
any comments received) that there is no substantial evidence that the Project will have
a significant effect on the environment and that the negative declaration reflects the
District's independent judgment and analysis;
5. The Board approves the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration as the Final Initial
Study/Negative Declaration. A copy of the final document shall be attached to this
resolution as Exhibit A and shall be incorporated herein by reference;
6. The General Counsel is directed to file a Notice of Determination or any other
documentation, as required; and
7. The documents or other materials, which constitute the record of proceedings upon
which the decision on the Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration is based are on file
with the District Secretary's Office, located on the 10th Floor at the AC Transit General
Offices, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, California 94612.
Section 2.
The Board approves the Title VI Evaluation of the 2015 Spring Service
Expansion Plan and Service on New Streets in Oakland.
Section 3.
The Board approves the 2015 Spring Service Expansion Plan and Service
on New Streets in Oakland, as more particularly set forth in Exhibit B and shall be incorported
herein by reference.
Resolution No. 15-003
Page 3of4
21
SR 14-267b
Attachment 1
Section 4.
The 2015 Spring Service Expansion Plan and the Service on New Streets
shall go into effect with the Spring 2015 sign-up.
SectionS.
This resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage by
four affirmative votes of the Board of Directors.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of January 2015.
Greg Harper, President
Attest:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
I, Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of
the Board of Directors held on the 14th day of January, 2015 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
Approved as to Form and Content:
Denise C. Standridge, General Counsel
Resolution No. 15-003
Page4of4
22
Costs for Proposed 2015 Service Expansion
Route(s)
Change
72/72M
Increase service from 30 to 20 minutes
Option
on both routes between 9am and 81Jm.
72R Option
Jack London Sq to Contra Costa College
Change in Hours
weekday
Sat
Sun
Change in Vehicles
Weekday Sat Sun
AM PM
Annual Hours
FY 14/15 Cost
Annual Cost
Estimate
Estimate
102.00 102.00
6
6
11,424
$245,616
$982,464
134.00 134.00
11
11
15,008
$322,672
$1,290,688
Operate 72 Rapid every 15 minutes from
between 7am and 7pm
46
46
(Summer sign-up only)
Extend service to the Zoo at exisiting
weekday hourly frequency
Extend service to the Zoo at 30 minute
frequency
8.00
8.00
1
1
744
$15,996
$63,984
17.00
17.00
2
2
323
-
$27,778
200
Increase span from 8:00pm to midnight
13.00
676
$14,534
$58,136
212
Increase span from 8:00pm to midnight
6.00
312
$6,708
$26,832
217
Increase frequency from 40 minutes to
30 minutes all day
14.00
14.00
1
1
1,568
$33,712
$134,848
27.00
19.00
2
2
2,544
$54,696
$218,784
101
$2,168
$8,671
Service to Chabot Center at 40 minute
339
680
frequency between 9am and lOpm
Saturdays, and between 9am and 6pm
Sundays
Extend route to serve new school
0.55
Total Cost Including 72R Option
21,276
$
450,486
$ 1,829,721
Total Cost Including 72/72M Option
17,692
$
373,430
$ 1,521,497
(/)
;;o
23
This page intentionally blank 24
Line 680 - Proposed Extension
~-
Line 680 (Existing)
• • • Line680 (Proposed Extension)
(f)
;;o
L\
N
25
Line NL- Proposed Alternate Route
~
Line NL (Proposed Alternate Route)
-
Line NL (Existing)
(f)
::0
....
'
1\J
Q)
.....
o-
;!';:
~
_\
"'-:r
N
CD
0
3
"'....
26
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 14, 2015
Staff Report 14-267b
Public Hearing for Spring 2015 Service
Improvements
Attachment 5: Draft Initial Study/Negative
Declaration
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AS A
SEPARATE FILE
27
This page intentionally blank 28
SR 14-267b Attachment 6
Summary of Public Comments
To be completed just prior to 1/14
29
This page intentionally blank 30
SR 14-267b Attachment 7
Title VI analysis of Proposed Spring 2015 changes
Changes under consideration at the Public Hearing include the following proposals:
Increase frequency for lines 72, 72M, and 72R on weekends
Options include:
•
New Line 72R would operate between 9:00am and 8:00pm at 15-minute frequencies.
•
Increased frequencies on existing Lines 72 and 72M from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes between
9:00am and 8:00pm.
These three routes are all "minority routes" as defined by Title VI requirements. The proposal would provide
additional service to riders of the routes, regardless of which proposal is implemented. No Title VI impact.
Changes on lines 46, 339, 200, 212, and 217
The proposals all involve increased service, either by increasing frequency or the number of hours the service is
provided. These four lines ar~ consid~red ({minority routes" e~s defined by Title VI reqL1irementsl so no adverse
effects wouid be experienced by Title VI protected populations. No Title VI impact.
Service on new street segments for line 680
This extension would provide service to census biock groups with a higher percentage of people of coior than
the service area as a whole. While the population around the new street segments is not low-income (according
to Title VI policy), low-income riders of route 680 will benefit from the extension. in general, service on these
new streets wouid improve service to the rest of the ridership of Route 680 (both a "minority route" as defined
by Title VI requirements and a route serving a large number of low-income households) by providing access to
Grass Valley Elementary School. No Title VI impact.
Service on new street segments for line NL in West Oakland
There are two possible implementations of this proposal, and each was considered for its potential impact on
Title VI populations.
• Serve the route by installing new stops along the new segment to provide neighborhood access to this
transit line. This proposal would improve access to transit in an area with a population that is made up
of more people of color and more !ow income people th~n the service arPa as a who!e. Nn Title V!
impact.
• Operate along the route but do not serve any stops. Although this is considered "service on new
streets" for the purpose of requiring a public hearing, it would involve no change in access to the route;
that is, there would be no increase (nor decrease) in service provided to the new street segments.
Line NL is a "minority route" as defined by Title VI requirements and this proposal would
implement an improvement of service to that line; technically there would be no Title VI impact.
However, the population around those streets (which has more people of color and low-income
people than the AC Transit Service Area as a whole), could potentially have buses running down their
streets as early as 5:30 in the morning, and may experience this as an adverse effect of the proposal. In
order to assess the impact of this proposal, the District conducted a California Environmental Quality Act
study, which found no environmental impacts. In addition, to ensure people in the community had an
opportunity to learn about and to voice any concerns related to this proposal, staff provided additional
information in the community about the proposals and the public hearing (by mail to residents and by
dropping off information at businesses and community organizations).
31
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