Editing AC Transit

{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025|cs1-dates = ly}}
{{Short description|Public transit operator in Alameda County and Contra Costa County, California}}
{{Infobox bus transit
| name            = AC Transit
| logo            = AC Transit logo (2014+) cropped.svg
| logo_size       = 
| image           = {{photo montage
| spacing = 1
| color = transparent
| border = 0
| photo2a=AC Transit MCI D45 CRT LE.jpg
| photo1b=Tempo bus on Broadway, August 2020.JPG
| photo1a=AC Transit route 51A bus on Broadway, March 2024.JPG
| photo2b=Fruitvale station from garage (2), March 2018.JPG
}}
| image_caption   = Top left to bottom right: Local, Tempo, and Transbay buses, and [[Fruitvale station]] bus terminal
| company_slogan  =
| parent          =
| founded         = 1960
| headquarters    = 1600 Franklin St,<br/>[[Oakland, California|Oakland]], [[California|CA]]
| locale          = [[East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)|East Bay]]
| service_area    = Western [[Alameda County, California|Alameda]] and [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa]] counties
| service_type    = {{unbulleted list|[[Public transport bus service|Bus]]|[[Bus rapid transit]]|[[Paratransit]]|[[Night bus]]}}
| alliance        =
| routes          = 130<ref name=ridershipbusfleet />
| destinations    =
| stops           = approx. 5,500<ref name=ridershipbusfleet />
| hubs            =
| stations        =
| lounge          =
| fleet           = 630<ref name=ridershipbusfleet />
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|CA Oakland AC Transit total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual ridership = {{American transit ridership|CA Oakland AC Transit total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| fuel_type       =
| operator        = 
| ceo             = 
| website         = {{official url}}
}}

'''AC Transit''' is the main [[Public transport bus service|bus transit]] operator in the [[East Bay]] region of the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[California]]. AC Transit is the third largest bus operator in California, serving the western portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, with a fleet of over 600 buses operating 130 routes.<ref name=ridershipbusfleet >{{Cite web |title=Ridership, Buses, and Service |url=https://www.actransit.org/ridership |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=AC Transit}}</ref> The agency was founded in 1960 as the successor of the bankrupt [[Key System]].

AC Transit's primary services are its local bus routes, which serve the entire East Bay region from [[Richmond, California|Richmond]] to [[Milpitas, California|Milpitas]]; "Transbay" regional routes, most of which operate between the East Bay and [[San Francisco]] via the [[San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge|Bay Bridge]]; and the [[Tempo (bus rapid transit)|Tempo]] [[bus rapid transit]] line from [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] to [[San Leandro, California|San Leandro]].

AC Transit has its headquarters in Oakland, with four bus operations facilities throughout the East Bay and a control center in [[Emeryville, California|Emeryville]]. The agency is officially known as the '''Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District''', and it is structured as a [[Special district (United States)|special district]] governed by an elected seven-member board of directors. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, AC Transit had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|CA Oakland AC Transit total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|CA Oakland AC Transit total daily}} per weekday in {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}.

==Services==
AC Transit operates four main brands of bus services: local, Transbay, Tempo, and Rapid. The agency also operates [[paratransit]] services for customers with disabilities and special school services to middle and high schools. 

Local services operate throughout the agency's entire service area, which consists of much of the [[East Bay]] region, extending north to [[Richmond, California|Richmond]] and south to [[Milpitas, California|Milpitas]] in [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara County]]. All local lines connect to regional transit services, with most lines serving BART stations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Maps & Schedules |url=https://www.actransit.org/maps-schedules |access-date=2025-03-10 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

Transbay lines operate across the San Francisco Bay, providing regional service from the East Bay to the [[San Francisco Peninsula]]. Most lines operate from the East Bay to the [[Salesforce Transit Center]] in San Francisco, with frequent service during weekday commute hours. Select lines operate all day, 7 days per week. Transbay service is the successor to regional rail lines operated by the [[Key System]], which operated direct streetcar service from the East Bay to the [[San Francisco Transbay Terminal|former Transbay Terminal]] via rail infrastructure on the Bay Bridge.

[[Tempo (bus rapid transit)|Tempo]] is a [[limited-stop]] bus service on [[International Boulevard (Oakland, California)|International Boulevard]], with elements of [[bus rapid transit]]. Tempo buses operate in dedicated lanes on part of the route, serving bus stops located in the median of the street, and using uniquely-branded buses with doors on both sides. Tempo is listed in AC Transit schedules as route 1T, and operates 24/7 from the Uptown Transit Center at [[19th Street Oakland station|19th St/Oakland BART station]] to [[San Leandro station|San Leandro BART station]].

Rapid is AC Transit's brand for its limited-stop bus services, which was introduced in 2003 with line 72R on [[California State Route 123|San Pablo Avenue]]. AC Transit's second Rapid service, line 1R on International Boulevard, was discontinued in 2016 and fully replaced by Tempo bus rapid transit service in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holstege |first1=Sean |date=June 30, 2003 |title=AC Transit launches rapid buses |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-ac-transit-launches-rapi/139985004/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |location= |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-72-rapid/139985141/ 9] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> {{As of|2025}}, AC Transit has proposed Rapid services for the [[Telegraph Avenue]] and Grand Avenue corridors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rapid Corridors Project |url=https://www.actransit.org/rapid-corridors |access-date=2025-03-10 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

'''East Bay Paratransit''' is a joint venture of AC Transit and BART to provide [[paratransit]] service in the East Bay, in compliance with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act]]. East Bay Paratransit serves customers who cannot use regular bus or train service due to a disability. Paratransit service is operated by [[Transdev]].

AC Transit operates supplemental school services to middle and high schools within its service area. Some school service is provided by regular local routes with minor modifications, and other schools are served by dedicated routes numbered in the 600s. Unlike traditional school bus services provided by school districts, AC Transit supplemental school services are open to the public with the payment of regular fares, and are operated with standard transit buses. School services are funded by school districts, which has at times caused conflict between the transit agency and the school districts over the cost and schedules of the services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bodley |first=Michael |date=2017-05-13 |title=Price for extension of AC Transit service to Oakland hills schools: $1 million |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Price-for-extension-of-AC-Transit-service-to-11142965.php |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=SFGATE}}</ref>

=== Regional connections ===
AC Transit forms part of the regional public transit network in the San Francisco Bay Area, and accepts the regional [[Clipper card]] for fare payment. AC Transit buses serve 23 BART stations in the agency's East Bay service area, and connect to multiple local transit operators including [[San Francisco Municipal Railway|MUNI]], [[Golden Gate Transit]], and [[Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority|VTA]]. AC Transit also connects to regional and national transportation networks, with services to [[Oakland International Airport]] and connections to [[Amtrak]] and [[San Francisco Bay Ferry]] services.

AC Transit operates [[24/7 service]] on 7 key routes in the regional [[All Nighter (bus service)|All Nighter]] network, with a central hub in downtown Oakland. 

AC Transit also operates multiple lines of the regional BART Early Bird Express network, which provides supplemental early-morning commuter service along BART lines in the 4:00 AM hour, before BART trains begin operating in the 5:00 hour. The BART Early Bird Express service was introduced in 2019 to replace cancelled early-morning BART trains, which were eliminated to provide time for additional maintenance to the [[Transbay Tube]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosen |first=Michael |date=2019-02-15 |title=BART launched its new ‘Early Bird’ service, but who is using it? |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bart-early-bus-service-ac-transit-13617363.php |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=SFGATE}}</ref>

===Routes===
[[File:AC transit bayfair stop.jpg|thumb|250px|right|AC Transit buses at Bay Fair BART Station]]
{{Main|List of AC Transit routes}}
{{As of|2024|9}}, AC Transit operates 130 routes, which includes 60 local and Rapid lines, 15 Transbay lines, 6 [[All Nighter (bus service)|All Nighter]] routes, and 45 special school routes.<ref name=":0" />

== Fares ==
The standard fare for AC Transit local services is $2.50 with cash, and $2.25 with the agency's mobile app or the [[Clipper card]]. Transbay services have a higher fare of $6. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are available for both local and Transbay services, and reduced fares are available for children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Fares |url=https://www.actransit.org/fares |access-date=2025-03-10 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref> 

AC Transit offers [[fare capping]] in addition to its daily, weekly, and monthly passes, allowing customers to earn a pass by paying single fares. Clipper card users are eligible for a daily fare cap of $5 on local services, and users of the AC Transit mobile app can also earn weekly and monthly passes.<ref name=":2" /> 

==History==
Voters created the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in 1956 and subsequently approved a $16.5 million bond issue in 1959 enabling the District to buy out the failing privately owned Key System Transit Lines. In October 1960, AC Transit's service began.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two-County Transit Hands Over $7.5 Million for Key |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/martinez-news-gazette/135220604/ |access-date=15 November 2023 |agency=Martinez News-Gazette |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=September 30, 1960 |page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/martinez-news-gazette/135220604/ 1]–[https://www.newspapers.com/article/martinez-news-gazette/135220719/ 2]}}</ref> The new District built up the bus fleet with 250 new buses, extended service into new neighborhoods, created an intercity express bus network, and increased Bay Bridge bus service.<ref>[http://www.actransit.org/about-us/celebrating-ac-transits-50th-anniversary/ History of AC Transit]</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.actransit.org/website/uploads/board_memos/90ca15.pdf |title=Draft Short Range Transit Plan |chapter=Chapter 1: Agency History |publisher=Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District |year=2003}}</ref>

Numerous AC Transit routes were modified in 1972–73 to serve the new [[BART]] system. AC Transit began operating express service connecting BART terminals with outer suburban points under contract to BART on December 2, 1974. With BART operating, suburban municipalities began contracting with AC Transit to operate local bus service. Service began in Fremont on November 12, 1974; in Newark on December 16, 1974; in Concord on September 8, 1975; in Pleasant Hill on December 8, 1975; in Moraga and Orinda on September 13, 1976; and in Antioch and Pittsburg (as [[Tri Delta Transit]] under contract to the Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority) on June 5, 1977.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.actransit.org/website/uploads/History-of-Lines-by-Line.pdf |pages= |title=History of Lines by Line: Major Changes Since 1960 |publisher=Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District) |date=July 17, 1978}}</ref> The lines in central Contra Costa County ([[County Connection]]) were transferred to the new Central Contra Costa Transit Authority in June 1982.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/146069368/ |title=AC Transit losing part of its empire to secessionists |first=Don |last=Lattin |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=January 17, 1982 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Tri-Delta Transit switched to a different operator in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 26, 2020 |title=Short Range Transit Plan 2020 – 2029 |url=https://trideltatransit.com/pdf/ECCTA-2020-29-SRTP.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421083748/https://trideltatransit.com/pdf/ECCTA-2020-29-SRTP.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-21 |publisher=Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority |page=1}}</ref>

In 2003, the District introduced a [[San Mateo-Hayward Bridge]] route. Designated as Line M, the service connected the BART stations of [[Castro Valley, California|Castro Valley]] and [[Hayward, California|Hayward]] with [[Foster City, California|Foster City]] and [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]]'s Hillsdale [[Caltrain]] station.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=0c8ac45b |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205045143/http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=0c8ac45b |archive-date=February 5, 2005 |date=December 21, 2004 |title=Line M a Success |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref> A second San Mateo-Hayward Bridge route, Line MA, was added in 2006 and discontinued in 2007. In 2004, the District began service on '''Line U''' across the [[Dumbarton Bridge (California)|Dumbarton Bridge]], connecting [[Stanford University]] with [[Altamont Corridor Express|ACE]] and BART trains in Fremont. As part of a consortium of transit agencies (including AC Transit, BART, SamTrans, [[Union City Transit]], and [[Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority|VTA]]), the District already operated [[Dumbarton Express]] bus service across the Dumbarton Bridge.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=f5a0c151 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213144452/http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=f5a0c151 |archive-date=February 13, 2005 |title=Cruise from Fremont to Stanford on Line U |date=September 23, 2004 |publisher=Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District}}</ref>

On June 30, 2003, a new "rapid bus" line operating on [[San Pablo Avenue]] was introduced. Designated as Line 72R (or San Pablo Rapid), the service connected [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] with [[Richmond, California|Richmond]] and operated at faster speeds than regular local service due to wide stop spacing and signal priority treatments.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Beginning December 10, 2005, AC Transit began participating in the regional [[All Nighter (night bus service)|All Nighter]] network, providing 24-hour bus service throughout its service area to supplement BART service, which does not operate during owl hours. AC Transit had provided 24-hour service on many of its trunk lines prior to this date, except in the late 1990s due to budget limitations.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

On December 13, 2013, AC Transit adopted a new fare policy that brought changes to the transit system July 2014, including a new day pass that is in line with other transit agencies including [[Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority|VTA]] and [[SamTrans]].<ref>[http://www.actransit.org/2013/12/13/board-adopts-new-improved-fare-policy/ Board Adopts New & Improved Fare Policy]. AC Transit. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.</ref> The policy is also designed to speed boarding and help keep buses on schedule, provide greater convenience and value for customers, and encourage more customers to switch to [[Clipper (card)|Clipper]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-01 |title=New Day Pass & Other Fare Policy Changes Coming in July |url=http://www.actransit.org/2014/05/01/new-day-pass-other-fare-policy-changes-coming-in-july/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604165146/http://www.actransit.org/2014/05/01/new-day-pass-other-fare-policy-changes-coming-in-july/ |archive-date=2014-06-04 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

==Rapid Bus and Bus Rapid Transit==
{{see also|Tempo (bus rapid transit)}}
[[File:Tempo bus at Fruitvale station, February 2021.jpg|thumb|Tempo bus in Fruitvale, 2021]]
{{AC Transit Line 72R}}

A rapid bus line was introduced on [[San Pablo Avenue]] on June 30, 2003. Designated as Line 72R (or San Pablo Rapid), it operates from 6 am to 7 pm at 12-minute intervals on weekdays, and 7 am to 7 pm at 15-minute intervals on weekends and holidays. Bus stops are spaced 2/3-mile apart on average, running between [[Jack London Square]] (via 20th Street and Broadway) in Oakland and [[Contra Costa College]] in San Pablo, and buses receive signal priority at several intersections. Although the line does have scheduled [[timing point|timepoint]]s en route, most buses typically travel along the route as fast (or as slow) as traffic allows.

Line 1R (or International Rapid) operated on weekdays between Berkeley Way and Oxford Street in Berkeley and [[Bay Fair station|Bay Fair BART station]] in San Leandro, mainly along [[Telegraph Avenue]], [[International Boulevard (Oakland, California)|International Boulevard]], and East 14th Street. Weekend and holiday service operated between Downtown Oakland and San Leandro only.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-04-19 |title=Marketing & Community Relations Priorities Through December 2006 |url=http://www.actransit.org/aboutac/bod/memos/29c6d6.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811073107/http://www.actransit.org/aboutac/bod/memos/29c6d6.pdf |archive-date=2007-08-11 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref><ref>[http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=d00173cf "Change Happens: June 24," AC Transit Marketing, 15 May 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101064410/http://www.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=d00173cf |date=November 1, 2007 }}</ref>

Line 1R was discontinued in 2016. On August 9, 2020, the 1R was largely replaced by [[Tempo (bus rapid transit)|''Tempo'']], AC Transit's new ''[[Bus rapid transit|Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)]]'' route. Tempo operates between the [[19th Street Oakland station|Uptown Transit Center]] and the [[San Leandro station|San Leandro BART station]] via International Boulevard and East 14th Street. It features 46 brand new platform stations (curbside and center-median) with dedicated bus lanes along the majority of the route.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AC TRANSIT TEMPO OPENS TO RIDERS SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 {{!}} AC Transit|url=http://www.actransit.org/2020/08/07/ac-transit-tempo-opens-to-riders-sunday-august-9/|access-date=2020-08-14|website=www.actransit.org}}</ref> The Telegraph Avenue alignment of the 1R between the Uptown Transit Center and U.C. Berkeley is currently being served by local route 6.

==Bus fleet==
{{main|AC Transit fleet}}
[[File:ACT161 (11177781405).jpg|thumb|right|Mixed "old-look" and New Look buses from GM at the Seminary Division bus wash]]
At its inception, AC Transit purchased the mixed [[White Motor Company|White]], [[Mack Trucks|Mack]], and [[GM "old-look" transit bus|GM "old-look"]] bus fleet from its predecessor, the Key System. The ex-Key System buses were repainted in [[Clown#Whiteface makeup|"clownface"]] livery, featuring a predominantly white (upper half) and orange (lower front) color scheme with teal side stripes, and AC Transit adopted a "wing" logo featuring the same colors. After its inception, the first new AC Transit orders were for [[GM New Look bus]]es, which the agency advertised as "Transit Liners". AC Transit began New Look operation in late 1960.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/03-08E.pdf |title=First of Luxury 'Transit Liners' Enter Transbay Service on Christmas Day |date=December 1960 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=3 |number=8–E |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> AC Transit would continue to operate a mixed fleet of buses throughout the 1960s.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

[[File:AC Transit 1629, MAN SG-220 (21150030226).jpg|thumb|GM New Look and AM General/M.A.N. SG-220 buses, ca. 1980s]]
AC Transit also pioneered the use of [[articulated bus]]es in the United States; in March 1966 it was the first transit agency to use the [[Eagle bus|Super Golden Eagle]] long-distance coach (originally designed and built for [[Continental Trailways]]; AC Transit designated it XMC-77 and called it the "Freeway Train"), primarily on Transbay service.<ref name=TT-6603>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/08-11.pdf |title=A New concept in Public Transit |date=March 1966 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=8 |number=11}}</ref> By 1970, AC Transit was one of six agencies to participate in a "super bus project" coordinated by the National Transportation Center (Pittsburgh) to write a specification for a higher-capacity bus; once the specification had been written, two prototypes would be built and tested to select a winner for a large group procurement of 100 buses to keep per-unit costs low.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/13-01.pdf |title=Super bus project: Design sought for future coach |date=July 1970 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=13 |number=1 |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Two European-built articulated buses were tested in the summer of 1974: a [[Volvo B58]], and a {{ill|MAN SG 192|de}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/16-12.pdf |title=New services require maximum effort: Activity level reaches high peak in June |date=June 1974 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=16 |number=12 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/17-01.pdf |title=Riders may have chance To test two new articulated buses |date=July 1974 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=17 |number=1 |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Riders received the M.A.N. bus favorably, and the specification was released for bid in 1975;<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/17-08.pdf |title='Superbus' preliminary specifications Out to manufacturers for review |date=February 1975 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=17 |number=8 |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> AC Transit placed an order for 30 buses in 1976 and deliveries began from the AM General/M.A.N. joint venture in 1978.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/20-12.pdf |title=Articulated coaches will ease Space crunch on heavily-used lines |date=June 1978 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=20 |number=12 |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref>

For its rigid buses, AC Transit continued purchasing GM New Look buses through the early 1970s, then switched to purchasing [[Flxible New Look bus|Flxible New Look]] buses starting in 1974. Since the early 1980s, AC Transit began acquiring buses from [[New Flyer Industries|Flyer]], [[Neoplan USA|Neoplan]], and [[Gillig Corporation|Gillig]]. Around this time, AC Transit began ordering new buses in a "stripe" color scheme, featuring the same orange, teal, and white colors as the previous "clownface" livery. In the late 1990s, AC Transit added buses from [[North American Bus Industries|NABI]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/board_memos/GM%2006-084%20NABI%20Bus%20Transfer%20-%20FB.pdf |title=AC Transit GM Memo 06-864 Revised |date=April 19, 2006 |publisher=AC Transit |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> AC Transit supplemented these buses with a fleet of 45-foot over-the-road coaches purchased from [[Motor Coach Industries]] beginning in the early 2000s.

[[File:AC Transit 2009.JPG|thumb|right|Van Hool AG300]]
In 2003, AC Transit began purchasing low-floor buses from [[Van Hool]]. The Van Hool buses were assembled in Belgium and featured low floors and three doors (four doors on articulated models), which AC Transit touted as the key to [[bus rapid transit]] service between Berkeley and San Leandro along [[Shattuck Avenue|Shattuck]], [[Telegraph Avenue|Telegraph]], [[International Boulevard (Oakland, California)|International Blvd]], and East 14th Street.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gammon |first=Robert |date=January 23, 2008 |title=The Buses From Hell |url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/the-buses-from-hell/Content?oid=1088265 |access-date=16 January 2019 |newspaper=East Bay Express}}</ref> At the same time, AC Transit rolled out a revised "ribbon" livery featuring new colors (green and black), and a new logo.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2003 |title=Corporate Style Guide |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/purchasing/Attachment%207%20-%20ACT_Logo_Standards.pdf |access-date=16 January 2019 |publisher=Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District}}</ref> The logo was simplified in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2014 |title=Interim Branding Guidelines |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/purchasing/Exhibit%202B%20-%20ACT_Branding_Guidelines.pdf |access-date=16 January 2019 |publisher=Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District}}</ref>

After criticism over the use of federal funds to purchase foreign-made Van Hool buses and the tailoring of specification requirements to exclude domestic manufacturers,<ref>{{cite news |author=Gammon |first=Robert |date=January 23, 2008 |title=Belgium or Bust |url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/belgium-or-bust/Content?oid=1088338 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406005616/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/belgium-or-bust/Content?oid=1088338 |archive-date=2013-04-06 |access-date=16 January 2019 |newspaper=East Bay Express}}</ref> AC Transit ordered locally-built Gillig buses in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gammon |first=Robert |date=March 30, 2012 |title=AC Transit Made Right Choice to Finally Buy Local |url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2012/03/30/ac-transit-made-right-choice-to-finally-buy-local |access-date=16 January 2019 |newspaper=East Bay Express}}</ref> In March 2013, AC Transit began operating the first of its new Gillig buses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-28 |title=New Gillig Buses Now on the Road |url=http://www.actransit.org/2013/03/28/new-gillig-buses-start-service-march-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403113542/http://www.actransit.org/2013/03/28/new-gillig-buses-start-service-march-28 |archive-date=2013-04-03 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref> In August of the same year, AC Transit placed the first of its new [[New Flyer Xcelsior]] articulated buses into service.<ref name="The New Flyers Are Here!">{{Cite web |date=2013-08-12 |title=The New Flyers Are Here! |url=http://www.actransit.org/2013/08/12/the-new-flyers-are-here |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816011923/http://www.actransit.org/2013/08/12/the-new-flyers-are-here |archive-date=2013-08-16 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref> Later that year, in November 2013, new Gillig buses with a suburban seating configuration and Transbay branding were introduced into service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-07 |title=New Commuter Buses Launch November 8 |url=http://www.actransit.org/2013/11/07/new-ac-transit-commuter-buses-launch-november-8/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110213042/http://www.actransit.org/2013/11/07/new-ac-transit-commuter-buses-launch-november-8/ |archive-date=2013-11-10 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

All AC Transit buses are wheelchair accessible and have front-mounted bicycle racks. The MCI buses also feature luggage bay bicycle racks. AC Transit buses purchased after 2007 have [[Air-conditioning|air conditioning]], as approved by the board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2007 |title=Consider approving the installation of air conditioning on buses |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/board_memos/1_b8371e.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319232042/http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/board_memos/1_b8371e.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-19 |publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

===Alternative power===
[[File:AC Transit 666, Steam Bus ACT268 (12915267905).jpg|thumb|AC Transit GM New Look bus #666, converted to steam power in the early 1970s]]
In 1969, AC Transit received a grant and converted bus #666 to steam power, which ran in revenue service between 1971 and 1972. The propulsion system was designed by William Brobeck and used a triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine; power was improved compared to the original six-cylinder [[Detroit Diesel]] [[Detroit Diesel Series 71|6V71 engine]] and emissions were reduced, but fuel consumption was higher than the conventional diesel bus.<ref name=TT-6902>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/11-08.pdf |title=Government grant gives financial Support to bus test of steam power |date=February 1969 |magazine=Transit-Times |publisher=AC Transit |volume=11 |number=8}}</ref> The steam system is a closed loop. Exhaust steam is condensed and returned to the steam generator, which is an externally-fired boiler that uses {{convert|1400|ft}} of coiled steel tubing.<ref name=ACT-steam>{{cite web |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/Steam-Bus.pdf |title=Introducing the modern steam bus |publisher=AC Transit |date=1971 |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref> Prior to entering service, the steam bus was exhibited in Washington DC<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/14-05.pdf |title=Steam Bus unveiled in Washington, D.C. Senators Cranston, Tunney among riders |date=November 1971 |magazine=Transit-Times |volume=14 |number=5 |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> and to the public.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/14-07.pdf |title=Steam Bus unveiled to public |date=January 1972 |magazine=Transit-Times |volume=14 |number=7 |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> Bus #666 completed {{convert|3403|mi}} in revenue service when the trial ended in September 1972,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/15-04.pdf |title=Steam bus project completed successfully After operation in revenue service |date=October 1972 |magazine=Transit-Times |volume=14 |number=7 |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> and the diesel engine was subsequently reinstalled in the bus.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/15-08.pdf |title=Steam bus reconverted As experiment ends |date=February 1973 |magazine=Transit-Times |volume=14 |number=7 |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref>
[[File:AC Transit route 12 bus on Broadway, April 2021.jpg|thumb|AC Transit bus #9076, a New Flyer XHE40 powered by a hydrogen [[fuel cell]] ]]
AC Transit is the lead agency of Zero Emission Bay Area (ZEBA), a consortium of five Bay Area transit agencies (AC Transit, [[Golden Gate Transit]], [[San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency|SFMTA]], [[SamTrans]], and [[Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority|VTA]]) demonstrating fuel cell buses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.actransit.org/environment/the-hyroad |title=The HyRoad |publisher=AC Transit |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> The District began the HyRoad program in 1999 and tested several fuel cell buses with new hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, including the Ballard/[[XCELLSiS]] ZEbus (a [[New Flyer Low Floor|New Flyer F40LF]] with a Ballard fuel cell) in November 1999.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.actransit.org/wp-content/uploads/board_memos/06bcec.pdf |title=Short Range Transit Plan, FY2001-FY2010 |chapter=2 |publisher=AC Transit |access-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> Three [[hydrogen fuel cell|hydrogen-powered]] buses, based on the Van Hool A330, operated in revenue service from 2006 to 2010. AC Transit took delivery of 12 additional third-generation fuel cell buses, based on the Van Hool A300L in 2011. In 2019, AC Transit began operating 11 additional hydrogen fuel cell buses from New Flyer, one of which is a 60-foot articulated bus, and 5 battery electric buses from New Flyer.<ref name="2019-AC-status">{{cite web|url=https://actransit.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3857480&GUID=68B1B00F-29CF-4A8D-8C34-17CF2FD44218/|title=AC Transit Board Bus Fleet Update|date=13 February 2019|publisher=AC Transit}}</ref>

== Governance ==
AC Transit is governed by a seven-member board of directors. The AC Transit service area is divided into seven [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|wards]], each of which elects a board member to a four-year term. As a [[Special district (United States)|special district]], AC Transit is legally independent of its two namesake county governments. The board of directors hires a professional general manager to operate the agency.<ref name=":1" /> 

Until 2023, the AC Transit service area was divided into five wards, each of which elected a board member; the remaining two members were elected [[at-large]]. Planning began in 2023 to reapportion the AC Transit service area into seven wards, eliminating the at-large seats. The change will be fully implemented in 2026.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Ally |date=2023-12-16 |title=Big changes coming to elections for AC Transit Board |url=http://www.berkeleyside.org/2023/12/15/election-2024-ac-transit-board-redistricting |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Berkeleyside}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Ally |date=2023-07-27 |title=AC Transit Board will switch to all district elections |url=http://www.berkeleyside.org/2023/07/27/ac-transit-board-will-switch-to-all-district-elections |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Berkeleyside}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seven-Ward Redistricting |url=https://www.actransit.org/redistricting |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=AC Transit}}</ref>

=== Funding ===
AC Transit is funded by passenger fares and federal, state, and local government subsidies. 

In March 2004, voters throughout the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] approved [[Bay Area Toll Authority#Regional Measure 2|Regional Measure 2]], which funds regional transportation capital and operating programs through a $1.00 surcharge on the 7 State-owned bridges operated by the [[Bay Area Toll Authority]]. In 2023, AC Transit received approximately $11 million in RM2 funds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=Resolution No. 4572: Allocation of Regional Measure 2 funds for transit operations and planning for FY 2023-24 |url=https://planbayarea.org/sites/default/files/meetings/attachments/5941/6c_24_0135_MTC_Resolution_No_4572_Revised.pdf |work=Metropolitan Transit Commission}}</ref>

In November 2004, voters approved Measure BB, which increased the parcel tax from $24 to $48 annually for 10 years beginning 1 July 2005, to help fund AC Transit services.<ref>[http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/alm/meas/BB/ Smartvoter.org]</ref>

In April 2005, a federal class-action lawsuit was filed against the [[Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco)|Metropolitan Transportation Commission]] alleging that it discriminates against AC Transit's primarily [[minority group|minority]] riders by giving AC Transit disproportionately less money than [[Bay Area Rapid Transit|BART]] and [[Caltrain]]. AC Transit is not party to the lawsuit, and the court sided with MTC in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goebel |first=Bryan |date=2009-04-02 |title=Despite Setback, Advocates Claim Partial Win in MTC Discrimination Suit |url=https://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/04/02/despite-setback-advocates-claim-partial-win-in-mtc-discrimination-suit |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Streetsblog San Francisco |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2008, voters approved Measure VV, which increased the parcel tax by $48 annually for 10 years beginning 1 July 2009, to help fund AC Transit services. Measure VV also extended the $48 parcel tax approved under Measure BB, so a total $96 annual tax is effective through 30 June 2019.<ref>[http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/alm/meas/VV/ Smartvoter.org]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Public Transit}}
{{East Bay}}
{{Oakland, California}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:AC Transit}}

[[Category:AC Transit]]
[[Category:Public transportation in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Public transportation in San Mateo County, California]]
[[Category:Public transportation in Santa Clara County, California]]
[[Category:Public transportation in Alameda County, California]]
[[Category:Public transportation in Contra Costa County, California]]
[[Category:Transportation in Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in California]]
[[Category:Transit agencies in California]]