AC TRANSIT DISTRICT GM Memo No. 03-128 Board of Directors Executive Summary Meeting Date: April 17, 2003 Committees: Executive Committee Operations Committee External Affairs Committee Planning Committee Board of Directors M SUBJECT: Public Hearing regarding proposed route change for Lines 72, 72M, & 72R at the Del Norte BART Station. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Information Only 13 Recommended Motion Staff recommends the Board approves the implementation of the proposed route change with the June 2003 signups. Fiscal Impact: Cost savings associated with reduced running time into and out of the Del Norte BART Station, for southbound Lines 72, 72M, and 72R. BOARD ACTION: Approved as Recommended [x] Other [ ] Approved with Modification(s) [ ] Jon Twichell, Short Range Planning, presented the staff report stating that the proposal is to improve circulation and running time through the Del Norte BART station for southbound buses. Correspondence from Joan C. Harland, Ph.D., El Cerrito, resident, was entered into the record. President Piras opened the public hearing and the following persons offered comments: Charlie Cameron Ivy Dean David Worthen The Public Hearing closed. MOTION: 2003 signups (7-0-0-0). HARPER/PEEPLES to approve implementation of the proposed route changes with the June Ayes: Directors Harper, Peeples, Jaquez, Bischofberger, Kaplan, Vice President Wallace, President Piras-7 Noes: None - 0 Absent: None - 0 Abstain: None - 0 The above order was passed and adopted on April 17,2003. Rose Martinez, District Secretary By
GM Memo No. 03-128 Subject: Public Hearing for Route Change on Lines 72, 72M, 72R Date: April 17, 2003 Page 2 of 3 Background/Discussion: Staff proposes to change the routing into and out of the Del Norte BART Station for southbound Lines 72, 72M, 72R with the implementation of the new Rapid Bus service in June 2003. To improve circulation around the Del Norte BART Station, the City of El Cerrito has designed and constructed a signal light at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Knott Avenue. This signal has been fully operational since March 4, 2003. The southbound buses can use this new signal to turn left onto Knott Avenue, right onto Key Boulevard, right onto Cutting Boulevard, then turn left and proceed to a bus stop in back of the Del Norte BART Station. AC Transit is currently not operating on Knott Avenue and Key Boulevard, therefore a Public Hearing (Board Policy No. 163) is required prior to operating on these residential streets. Currently the southbound buses loop around the front of the Del Norte BART Station and in the process go through five signals: once at Knott Avenue, twice at San Pablo/Hill Street, and twice at San Pablo/Cutting Blvd. The proposed route saves time and improves schedule adherence by traversing only two signals, San Pablo/Knott Avenue and San Pablo/Hill Street. Staff recommends approval and implementation of the proposed route change with the June 2003 signups. Prior Relevant Board Actions/Policies: 1. Board Policy No. 163, Amended 3/98, Public Hearing Processes for the Board of Directors 2. GM Memo 02-051, dated 2/12/2002, Approve Update of Goals for San Pablo Bus Rapid Transit Implementation 3. GM Memo 03-070, dated 2/20/2003, Consider setting a Public Hearing at the April 17,2003 Board Meeting regarding proposed route change for Lines 72, 72M, 72R at the Del Norte BART Station
GM Memo No. 03-128 Subject: Public Hearing for Route Change on Lines 72, 72M, 72R Date: April 17, 2003 Page 3 of 3 Attachments: Attachment A: Attachment B: Approved by: Existing Route Segment Proposed Route Segment Rick Fernandez, General Manager Kathleen Kelly, Deputy General Manager Prepared by: Jon Twichell, Transportation Planning Manager Cesar Pujol, Traffic Engineer Date Prepared: April 2, 2003
Existina Route Segment Attachment A
GM Memo No. 03-128 Attachment B ProDosed Route Segment Attachment B
Page 1 of 1 Rose Martinez From: Sent: To: Kathy Eichmeier Wednesday, May 14, 2003 4:50 PM Rose Martinez Cc: Jon Twichell Subject: FW: Proposed Line 72 Route Change at Del Norte BART Station Original Message From: Joan Harland [mailto:joan_harland@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 5:09 PM To: planning@actransit.org Cc: joan_harland@hotmail.com Subject: Proposed Line 72 Route Change at Del Norte BART Station 1922 Key Blvd. El Cerrito, CA 94530 April 15,2003 AC Transit District Secretary 1600 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94612 To Whom It May Concern: I'm writing in response to a Public Hearing Notice that was delivered to our front door, notifying us of a proposed Line 72 route change. If this change goes into effect, the southbound Line 72 bus would be diverted at the Del Norte BART Station for one block from San Pablo Avenue onto Key Boulevard, and as a result, would run directly past our home at 1922 Key Boulevard. My opinion about this proposed route change is very clear. In the past year, I have twice seen the flashing red lights of ambulances and police blockades, and heard the scream of sirens from my front window as a result of pedestrians being hit - and killed - by buses, while the pedestrians were at or near the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Cutting Boulevard. I've seen blankets tossed over the body of an elderly woman who didn't jump out of the way fast enough. I have a sweet two-year-old girl living in my house. And the reason given for the proposed route change (quoting directly from the flyer) is that it "saves time and improves schedule adherence by minimizing the number of traffic signals." Do I want buses hurtling from Knott Avenue onto my street, barreling down my street for one block, "stopping" at the stop sign, and turning right onto Cutting Boulevard, attempting to "save time and improve schedule adherence by minimizing the number of traffic signals"? When I've already seen pedestrian deaths on San Pablo Avenue, and we have child living here? I don't think so. Sincerely, Joan C. Harland, Ph.D. Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. 5/14/03 Correspondence related to GM Memo 03-128