With state and regional tranist financing in shambles, AC Transit is proposing deep cuts to weekend bus service to fill a $15.7 million budget gap. A full 75% of the public transportation agency’s operating budget goes to labor costs, setting the stage for public fights and closed-door negociations over how much financial burden union employees should bear.
The drivers’ union and the agency failed to compromise in earlier contract negotiations. The talks, set to resume on September 25, remain at an impasse after AC Transit imposed a new contract and the Amalgamated Transportation Union local 192 successfully petitioned the court to rescind the work rules, mandate arbitration and re-institute a now-expired contract.
AC Transit Interim General Manager Mary King and Claudia Hudson, president of the bus drivers’ union ATU 192 appeared on the KPFA Morning Show to discuss the financial state of the agency, the proposed service cuts, labor talks, and hard choices for the heavily-subsidized transit agency.
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The public is invited to workshop on budget deficit and proposed cuts at 3pm today:
The regularly scheduled AC Transit Board of Directors meeting will begin at 6pm . The live audio stream of both meetings are available here.
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Mary King, Interim General Manager AC Transit
Mary King discussed the solutions she is pursuing detailed in her recent memo. She joined the KPFA Morning Show today to discuss the issues.
Mary King is interviewed by Aimee Allison on September 1, 2010.
Claudia Hudson emphasized that the union wants to do its fair share but that enough solutions aren’t on the table and that AC Transit has not worked with the union cooperatively.
Claudia Hudson, President, Amalgamated Transit Union
Claudia Hudson is interviewed by Aimee Allison on September 1, 2010.
The show is produced by Laura Prives, Esther Manilla and Aimee Allison.
The proposed cuts include:
- eliminating almost half of its weekend service, except for lines on major corridors
- eliminating all but two All Nighter service lines
- closing the District-operated paratransit division, contracting out its services
- eliminating lines based on ridership
- reducing hours of operation for ALL lines
AC Transit has taken several actions to address the deficit:
- Eliminated more than 70 general and administrative staff positions. In addition, a third of its executive staff has also been eliminated –including the elimination of three executive management staff– the use of district vehicles has been curtailed and management leave benefits have been canceled. Together, that has reduced expenses by $9.2 million. But, as yet, there have been NO layoffs to or concessions from drivers or mechanics.
- Raised fares. Local riders are paying more due to the 25 cents per trip fare increase and $10 increase in the price of a monthly pass. Transbay riders are paying more due to the 50 cents per trip fare increase and $16.50 increase in the price of a monthly pass. Youth, senior and disabled riders are paying more due to the 15 cents per trip local fare increase and 30 cents Transbay increase.
- Cut Service. Riders also had their bus service reduced in March by 7.8% or $10.3 million worth of service hours; they are facing a second round of service cuts in October that will further reduce service by 7.2% or $11.4 million in service hours.
- Reduced Spending. The Board of Directors has cut its salary by 5%, cut travel by 50%, and eliminated a special travel account for transit advocacy.
The very dangerous and expensive, nonAmerican made Van Hool buses also did not help AC Transit’s finances either. They contributed to AC Transit’s deficit. The Van Hool decision is something that mayoral candidate Rebecca Kaplan contributed to during her time on the AC Transit Board and one of the big reasons I don’t think she’d make a good mayor.
And what’s with the free Van Hool shuttle (another Kaplan idea?) that businesses and grants cover while the rest of AC services disappear? That free shuttle is actually taking more funds away from the other AC Transit buses that also run along Broadway at the same time.
The AC Transit Board has a history of mismanaging the finances or wasting money over the decades. A little late, but I’m glad they finally cut their salaries and perks.
“That free shuttle is actually taking more funds away from the other AC Transit buses that also run along Broadway at the same time.”
The Broadway shuttle doesn’t take away riders from the downtown Oakland routes. The shuttle actually enhances service downtown and encourages more ridership on other lines as new riders familiarize themselves with transit. The shuttle is not really competing with Lines 72,72M,72R since they don’t run up to Grand/Broadway, plus service to Jack London can get spotty since that line begins in Richmond.
since the 18 bus started turning on 55th instead of 40th, i cant go to church. this is outrageous, also, it doesnt go to macarthur bart. thats where i get my kaiser shuttle. its just awful to make disabled senior citizens walk that far. also, theres no bench at 40th and mlk. another slap in the face to the elderly!
speaking of van hool busses!
the seats must be climbed into, and the disabled door is in the back of the bus making lots of trouble for the ddriver!