Title
Workshop to Provide Input on the AC Transit Realign Draft Bus Service Plan Scenarios. (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962743)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AC Transit Realign is a comprehensive review of Alameda County (AC) Transit 's regional bus network to respond to major shifts in riders' travel patterns and prepare for future revenue shortages. To understand transit needs and priorities, AC Transit conducted an in-depth analysis and two rounds of public outreach, including a presentation to the Transportation Commission in August 2023. Based on this, AC Transit established equity, reliability, and frequency as guiding principles to shape the transit network future.
AC Transit seeks input from the Alameda City Council on three preliminary service scenarios, all of which involve changes to routes serving Alameda. This input will be shared with the AC Transit Board of Directors for its meeting on December 13, 2023. AC Transit intends to adopt a final service plan by spring 2024.
City of Alameda (City) staff prepared a draft City of Alameda response letter to the AC Transit Realign scenarios, and requests that Council review and comment on the letter. The letter incorporates feedback from Transportation Commissioners at the November 15 meeting.
BACKGROUND
Public transit is a critical transportation choice in Alameda, providing a low-cost travel option that reduces congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. AC Transit provides bus service throughout Alameda County, including the City.
The AC Transit website states, "We are updating our service to meet the travel patterns of the new normal. The pandemic led to a historic decline in riders, which resulted in unprecedented fare loss. AC Transit sought and received federal relief funds to keep bus lines moving. After three years, however, ridership has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and relief funds will soon...
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