Presentation given at meetings in San Leandro for public feedback on proposed East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

1. AC Transit: East Bay
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Welcome!
AC Transit, 2009

2. Meeting Agenda & Guidelines
6:30 – 7:00 Open House
7:00 – 7:30 Presentation
7:30 – 8:00 Q&A
8:00 – 8:30 Open House
• Please hold questions and comments until
after the presentation
• Raise your hand to be called upon
• Listen and respect one another
• Respect time limits
• Please turn cell phones off, down
AC Transit, 2009

3. Meeting Purpose
• Describe revised proposal for East Bay BRT
– Background, process, project purpose and need
• Explain how community input has helped
shape current proposal
• Review changes to San Leandro section
• Collect feedback to present to policy makers
• Summarize funding and next steps
AC Transit, 2009

4. Presentation Overview
• Overview of East Bay Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT)
• San Leandro planning, context and
process
• BRT benefits and trade-offs
• Project revisions
• Next steps
AC Transit, 2009

5. Project Overview
• East Bay BRT as proposed to provide
improved transit service, connecting the
cities of San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley
– Proposal is a response to projected growth in the
region and need for improved transit service
– Recent changes support San Leandro’s planning
goals
– BRT provides an alternative to the automobile
• (AB 32 – SB 375)
AC Transit, 2009

6. What is BRT?
Improved Speed, Improved Reliability
Bus lanes Remove interference
from traffic
Level Quicker and easier to get
boarding on and off the bus
Off-bus fare Eliminate hassles and
payment delays at farebox
Real-time Improves reliability for
arrival signs riders
Traffic signal Reduce delays at signals
priority
AC Transit, 2009

7. The East Bay BRT Corridor
AC Transit, 2009

8. East 14th at 143rd Avenue
Current
8
AC Transit, 2009

9. East 14th at 143rd Avenue
Proposed
9
AC Transit, 2009

10. Presentation Overview
• Overview of East Bay BRT
• San Leandro planning, context
and process
• BRT benefits and trade-offs
• Project revisions
• Next steps
AC Transit, 2009

11. BRT Planning Process
Draft Refine Final Detailed Construc-
Environmental Locally Environ Design tion
Major Investment Study (DEIS/R) - Preferred mental
Study 4 Alternatives Alternative Study -
Studied FEIS/R
2002 2003 - 2007 2008 - 2010 2010 2010 - 2012 2012 - 2015
AC Transit, 2009

12. BRT Planning Process:
Previous Community Input
Draft
Environmental
Major Investment Study (DEIS/R) -
Study 4 Alternatives
Studied
2002 2003 - 2007
• In 2007, AC Transit presented alternatives for BRT and
received extensive feedback
AC Transit, 2009

13. BRT Planning Process:
Previous Community Input
Draft Refine
Environmental Locally
Major Investment Study (DEIS/R) - Preferred
Study 4 Alternatives Alternative
Studied
2002 2003 - 2007 2008 - 2010
• Community identified key issues at meetings held in 2007
and 2008
– Circulation and median, parking, traffic, lane reduction
• Changes made to support San Leandro’s future plans,
community input
– AC Transit and San Leandro worked to jointly develop the revised
proposal
AC Transit, 2009

14. BRT Planning Process: Fall/Winter 2009
Refine Final
Locally Environ
Preferred mental
Alternative Study -
FEIS/R
We 2010
are
here
• Present revised proposal for BRT in San Leandro
• Gather community feedback on the revised proposal
• Present proposal for BRT and community feedback to
policy makers
AC Transit, 2009

15. BRT Planning Process: Fall/Winter 2009
Refine Final Detailed Construc-
Locally Environ Design tion
Preferred mental
Alternative Study -
FEIS/R
2010 2010-2012 2012-2015
• Additional opportunities for extensive community input
– Planning Commission, Facilities Committee and City Council
• During final detailed design, San Leandro will review and
provide input on a variety of details
AC Transit, 2009

16. Consider the Future of San Leandro
• Consider: What do you want
San Leandro to look like in
2015, 2020 and beyond?
• San Leandro has exciting
long-range plans
• Transportation is a key factor
in community health and
quality of life
• Transportation challenges are
faced by all communities
AC Transit, 2009

17. Presentation Overview
• Overview of East Bay BRT
• San Leandro planning, context and
process
• BRT benefits and trade-offs
• Project revisions
• Next steps
AC Transit, 2009

18. Big Picture:
Future Traffic Congestion Cycle
AC Transit, 2009

19. Big Picture:
Breaking the Cycle
To break the cycle, transit must provide an alternative to
the automobile: – Attract more riders
– Become faster, more frequent and more
reliable
– Provide more comfortable and safer ride
• easier boarding, fewer hassles
– Reduce operating costs and improve
financial stability of system
– Link transportation and land use
• support sustainable growth, reduce
environmental impacts of transportation
AC Transit, 2009

20. Proven to Increase Ridership
• Los Angeles, California:
– Orange Line met 20-year ridership
expectations in first 7 months
• Eugene, Oregon:
– EmX ridership doubled in first 9
months
• Las Vegas, Nevada:
– MAX increased ridership in corridor
by 25%
• Elsewhere:
– New York, NY
– Boston, MA
– Cleveland, OH
– Cities in Florida and other US states
– Europe, South America
AC Transit, 2009

21. Dedicated Bus Lane & Transit Time Savings
Downtown San Leandro Existing Bus BRT Time
to… Travel Time* Savings
Bayfair Center 20 min 5 min
San Leandro Hospital 12 4
Fruitvale Commercial District 28 8
Eastlake Commercial District 37 10
Lake Merritt, Laney College 41 10
Oakland City Center 42 11
Summit Medical Center 50 12
UC Berkeley 67 15
* PM peak period, includes 6 minutes wait time
21
AC Transit, 2009

22. BRT Helps the Natural Environment
• BRT reduces vehicle BRT affects …
travel by 9,300 trips per Fuel Consumption
day Greenhouse Gas
210,000 Production
• BRT reduces vehicle gallons
travel by 21,000 miles per per year* 1,900
day tons of
CO2 per
year**
* CO2 and CO2 equivalents
** Estimated using US EPA methodology
AC Transit, 2009

23. BRT Helps the Social and Business
Environment
• 33% of residents and jobs BRT Route
within ½ mile
• Consistent with and supports
San Leandro’s plans
– E. 14th Street North Area Plan
– Downtown TOD
– South Area Plan
– General Plan
• Large investments
followed BRT projects in
Pittsburgh, Boston,
Eugene and Cleveland
AC Transit, 2009

24. Impacts and Tradeoffs
• Trade-offs involved
– Increase travel time for autos
– Some parking lost
– Changes to circulation, including
inconvenience/longer trips for some
AC Transit, 2009

25. Presentation Overview
• Overview of East Bay BRT
• San Leandro planning, context and
process
• BRT benefits and trade-offs
• Project revisions
• Next steps
AC Transit, 2009

26. What We Heard
• What we heard
– Preserve parking
– Minimize traffic impacts
– Provide for pedestrian safety
– Consider other San Leandro planning efforts
– Preserve and enhance local service
• What we changed…
AC Transit, 2009

27. San Leandro Overview:
Dedicated Bus Lane & BRT Stations
ra nt
Du
ia
org
Ge
ier
B eg
Key
BRT Route
i ll o
tud
Es es
Bus-Only Lane
lor in Median
Do
k
b roo th
6 BRT Station
Esta 13 rd BRT Dedicated
3
14 th
Lanes Removed
8
14 th
0
15
ir
yfa r
ai
r Ba ente
F T C
ay AR
B B AC Transit, 2009

28. North San Leandro
• End dedicated lane at
Durant
Sunnyside Dr./Georgia
r.
Way
eD
sid
Su
n ny • Eliminated traffic and
parking impacts near
Georgia Dutton Ave.
– Still provides high quality
BRT experience
• Revised BRT design to
Begier
be consistent with East
14th Street North Area
Plan
AC Transit, 2009

29. East 14th at Haas
Current
29
AC Transit, 2009

30. East 14th at Haas
Proposed
30
AC Transit, 2009

31. East 14th at Haas
Proposed (continued)
31
AC Transit, 2009

32. Downtown San Leandro
Georgia
• No dedicated
lanes, no major
Begier changes proposed
• No traffic or
parking impacts
Estudillo
• Still provides high
quality BRT
experience
Dolores
Estabrook
AC Transit, 2009

33. South San Leandro
Estabrook • Southbound lane
ends just north of
Bancroft/ Hesperian
136th – Lesser benefits, retain
143rd parking
• Modified median
148th design
– U-turns for improved
150th circulation
– Minor inconvenience
Bayfair Center for some
– Safer auto/pedestrian
environment
Bay Fair BART
AC Transit, 2009

34. Community Issue:
Circulation & Median
• Improves pedestrian
Pedestrian
Crossing
and auto safety at
Safe Zones intersections
• Preserves all existing
and planned
crosswalks
• Landscaping
enhances pedestrian
experience
– Increases green space
– Improves neighborhood
attractiveness
AC Transit, 2009

35. Community Issue:
Dedicated Bus Lane & Travel Time Comparison
No BRT: No BRT: BRT BRT
* Bus estimates include wait time Auto Bus Auto Bus
Downtown to San Leandro
4.0 11.9
Hospital/Palma Plaza 5.1 min 7.8 min
(E. 14th & Estudillo to 136th) min min
McKinley School to Bayfair
Center 7.3 16.8 9.4 12.3
(E. 14th & Estabrook to Bayfair)
Durant Square to Storm Block
(E. 14th & Durant to 143rd)
7.8 17.5 9.9 12.4
AC Transit, 2009

36. Summary of Trade-offs
• Minor parking loss in some areas
• Slightly longer travel times for drivers
• Some motorists would have some out of
direction travel
– Some restrictions to access/turns
– In some directions, slightly longer travel
distance
AC Transit, 2009

37. Summary of Benefits
• BRT would provide an environmentally
superior way to travel the corridor
– Only transit certified by Kyoto Protocol for
reducing carbon emissions
• BRT would provide alternative to auto
– Increase transit speed and reliability
– Improve attractiveness of transit and rider
comfort
– Support pedestrian-friendly future and
promote economic development
• Preserve operating efficiency
AC Transit, 2009

38. Summary of Key Changes Made
• Reduced length of dedicated bus lanes to stop north
of Dutton Ave.
• Reduced parking loss
– Maintain 15% parking vacancy
• Parking available approximately when and where you need it
• No change to downtown
• Added through and/or turn lanes south of downtown
• Insured intersections meet City guidelines for delay
• Confirmed consistency with San Leandro plans
• Evaluating East-West service to feed BRT system
AC Transit, 2009

39. Recent Feedback
• Areas of consistent feedback heard from
October 2009 meetings with community &
stakeholders:
– Truck parking in North San Leandro
– Circulation, parking and emergency vehicle
access at 143rd
– Access to the Post Office at 145th
AC Transit, 2009

40. Presentation Overview
• Overview of East Bay BRT
• San Leandro planning, context and
process
• BRT benefits and trade-offs
• Project revisions
• Next steps
AC Transit, 2009

41. Next Steps:
BRT Timeline
Fall/Winter Spring Summer BRT begins
2009 2010 2010 operating:
2015
San Leandro City
Feedback Councils
Berkeley Locally
City FEIS/ Detailed Construction
Preferred
Feedback Councils FEIR Design
Alternative
Selected
Oakland City
Feedback Councils
AC Transit, 2009

42. Cost & Funding
• Initial capital cost: $234M
• Funding sources for capital costs:
– Alameda County sales tax
– Bridge tolls (Regional Measure 2)
– State of California
– US federal government
AC Transit, 2009

43. We Need Your Feedback
• What about the proposed BRT in San
Leandro do you like? What could be
improved?
• Are there any other issues regarding BRT
that AC Transit should study?
AC Transit, 2009

44. Open House
Please feel free to approach any
representative with questions and
comments.
Thank you!
• 6:30 – 7:00 Open House
• 7:00 – 7:30 Presentation
• 7:30 – 8:00 Q&A
• 8:00 – 8:30 Open House
AC Transit, 2009

45. For More Information
Contact the BRT Planning Office
• (510) 891-4755
• Planning@actransit.org
Visit us online
• www.actforme.org
• www.actransit.org/planning_focus/brt/
AC Transit, 2009