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Why is it Time For Change at AC Transit?At a time when transit ridership around the country is increasing because of high gas prices, and when people are finally recognizing the role of transportation in air quality and the production of greenhouse gases, AC Transit is moving backwards. This can be traced to their “special partnership” (in the words of the General Manager) with a Belgium bus manufacturer, Van Hool. This partnership has been driving AC Transit’s decisions backwards.
I want to change AC Transit but to make it better, we need to change its Board. I am running against Chris Peeples, because not only did he initiate this relationship, he is still its biggest cheerleader and discourages other board members from questioning it. Even after many, many complaints from riders and drivers, because of the treacherous seating on pedestals on these low-aisle buses and their own survey documenting more passenger falls on the Van Hools, he still emphatically declares, “Everybody loves them.” Although he defends the Van Hools at every opportunity, he does not lay claim to his role in acquiring them because he realizes that would not win him many votes.
How does this affect air quality and global warming?
First, AC Transit should be using equipment that is clean and energy efficient. In an agreement with CARB (California Air Resources Board) they engaged in an experimental program using hydrogen fuel cell buses. It made great copy for newspapers. However, it actually consists of three Van Hool fuel cell buses that keep breaking down. And the hydrogen for them is produced from natural gas, a by-product of which is methane gas, one of the worse greenhouse gases. In spite of this experience, AC Transit has ordered eight more Van Hool fuel cell buses at $2.25 million each. That $18 million could have purchased 36 American low-floor diesel electric hybrid buses. But, when you have a “special partnership” with a manufacturer you only purchase from them and Van Hool does not make diesel electric hybrid buses as yet. Although, AC Transit has convinced CARB to give $1 million to Van Hool to develop a diesel electric hybrid bus, that is, to re-invent the wheel. American bus manufacturers have been producing them for more than 6 years.
Second, they should be trying to make bus riding an attractive alternative to the auto. But not only are they failing to attract riders with choices, they have ignored the needs of a whole class of people, the elderly and disabled. These low-aisle buses with their high seats may only be awkward for the able bodied but they are a hazard to those who are not. The dislike for these buses plus the cuts in service due to their cost, may account for ridership on local service remaining flat or even decreasing, as gas costs rise. An Oakland councilmember has said she would like city officials and staff to adopt an eco-pass, “but those buses….”
Fiscal impact
To buy these buses AC Transit has had to engage in fiscal voodoo because federal funds, the usual source, cannot be used for imported buses. According to the AC Transit staff member who manages funding, the buses are paid for with operating funds that are then back filled with federal preventative maintenance funds. But, she insists, all the federal funds for preventative maintenance are used for maintenance. Amazing! Chris Peeples proudly calls it, “creative fund swaps.” And this is not to even mention over a million dollars spent for travel to Paris/Belgium by the General Manager, the General Counsel and 60 employees! AC Transit considers that only a drop in the bucket.
Rider-unfriendly buses
Recently, after years of much pressure, particularly from me, Van Hool has produced a proto-type 40-ft 2-door bus inching closer to the American low-floor design. But it is too little, too late. They managed to get more seats at floor level but because of the awkward location of the engine in the middle of the bus, people in wheelchairs are relegated to the left over space opposite the motor. This makes accessing the space more difficult and their vision blocked by the motor. And if there are two wheelchairs, one has to ride backwards and passengers have to exit between them. And these buses will cost about $70,000 more than the real deal, an American true low-floor bus that places equipment under a low mezzanine level in the rear instead of in the middle of the bus. Buses that have ALL seats at floor level and NO seats facing backwards and no bottleneck at the entry.
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Why does Chris Peeples support sending American jobs overseas by importing no-bid buses that are untested by a third party? Buses that riders and drivers hate and cost more than American buses that riders and drivers like? Can’t he just admit an error of judgment? Three members of the seven-member board are beginning to vote against them and requesting a competitive procurement process. If I have the honor to be elected, I will be the fourth.