Oakland, Calif.’s Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) board voted unanimously to advance design and planning for two all-new draft service scenarios that could redefine the future of AC Transit's bus network.

The New AC Transit Scenarios

The first proposal is called the "Balanced Coverage" scenario. Here, the current bus network will remain largely intact, but it will undergo some enhancements to increase the number of riders. These cost-neutral changes prioritize equitable access to hospitals and supermarkets, especially for households that do not own a car. In this design scenario, 20 bus lines are modified to enhance reliability.

In the second scenario called "Frequent Service," the core design principle remains equitable access to jobs, hospitals, and supermarkets. To achieve more frequent bus service, this design involves reducing or eliminating coverage in areas with the lowest ridership and reallocating resources to areas of high demand. As part of this plan, 28 bus lines are modified to enhance reliability.

A third scenario called the "Unconstrained Vision" represents an aspirational proposal, which envisions the bus network's operation supported by new sources of significant funding. This plan introduces on-demand microtransit, or collaboration with transportation network companies, in areas where expanding traditional bus lines may not be feasible. This proposal is challenging due to the ongoing financial constraints induced by post-pandemic revenue losses, funding shortfalls, and bus operator workforce challenges.

Feedback and Process

The combined scenarios received significant feedback from the public. Their concerns covered a range of issues, including doubts about the practicality of implementing bus network changes by summer 2024, potential effects on bus operators, worries that bus line realignment could lead to excessively long routes, and the possibility of cancelation of certain bus lines.

As a result, when the board unanimously voted to move forward with the design and planning, it instructed AC Transit's staff to clarify further and refine the “Balanced Coverage” and “Frequent Service” scenarios, as well as to consider a revised schedule that allows for the broadest inclusion and more feedback from riders and community members.

To do so, AC Transit has launched an innovative and user-friendly interactive map that empowers riders to explore the routing of each bus line, hours, and schedules, as well as the frequency of all bus lines. The interactive maps also provide users with the ability to offer direct feedback on the proposed plans and share easily. The maps are compatible with mobile devices.

The scenarios are the results of public input during two phases of outreach through AC Transit Realign, which is a comprehensive review of our bus network to respond to shifts in riders' travel patterns. Realign has established Equity, Reliability, and Frequency as guiding principles to shape the future transit network.