Transit Times Volume 3, Number 4

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Volume 3 Number 4 OAKLAND, AUGUST 1960

Board of Directors Approves OfficialDistrict Emblem;Replaces Key Symbol

A new transit emblem to replace thelong-standing insignia of Key SystemTransit Lines was adopted this month bythe transit board of directors.

The emblem will first appear on EastBay buses October 1 when the district isscheduled to take over the private company and commence operation of a pub-licly-owned system.

The new insignia, consisting of a wingpartly encircled by an oval disc, was designed to imply a sense of motion andspeed. In the center of the disc, the initials of "A C Transit" represent the first

letters in the names of the two East Baycounties in which the district will operate.Vice President William J. Bettencourt,chairman of the Public Information Committee which recommended adoption ofthe emblem, said his group attempted topresent a design that would suggest a"snappy, new-look in transit."

The public may prefer to call the district "A C Transit," he added, instead ofits lengthy official name.Selection of colors for district equipment is still under study, Bettencourt reported.


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Western Contra Costa Annexes to ServiceZone; Full Government Cooperation Cited

Annexation of a large portion of Western Contra Costa County into the operations zone of the district was approvedthis month by transit directors.

The area, containing more than 100,000residents, includes the cities of Richmond, San Pablo and adjacent unincorporated territory of El Sobrante, EastRichmond Heights, Rollingwood, NorthRichmond and Parchester Village.Voters approved annexation to theoverall district last June. However, special action was required to bring the areainto the district's operation zone.

John J. Garvey, Jr., assistant Richmondcity manager, cited the annexation ofWestern Contra Costa County in the district as the "finest demonstration of intergovernment teamwork I have ever seen."Garvey, in an appearance before thetransit board, praised the full cooperative effort of Richmond, San Pablo, theContra Costa County Board of Supervis-

ors, and officials of the transit district.In th e face of possible loss of transitservice in the Richmond-San Pablo area,Garvey said, citizen leaders and civic officials moved "swiftly, unanimously and

in a positive direction to protect and improve our public transportation .""We know you are embarking on a pro

gram we all want, need, and one whichwill bring our area great benefit," he toldthe transit directors.

John R. Worthington, district generalmanager, said that the annexation couldnot have been accomplished ha d not themayors, city councilmen and supervisorsof the area given the measure their "onehundred pe r cent support."He also cited Ivan Goyak, chairman ofthe Citizens' Transit Information Committee, and Richmond City Manager Edwin Howell.

"Their cooperation was most outstanding," Worthington said.

Court Upholds Validity of Transit BondsLegality of the district's $16,500,000

bond issue as previously affirmed by alower court has been firmly upheld bythe State District Court of Appeal.

The court sustained the opinion ofAlameda County Superior Judge ThomasJ. Ledwich who last March dismissed ataxpayers' suit challenging th e bonds.

The taxpayers, Stanley Behneman, anOakland civil engineer, and Herbert B.Kincaid, a Berkeley jeweler, had contended that the district lacked authorityto call the election and to issue the bonds.

The taxpayers had also charged the district with distributing misleading information on the issue before the election.

In affirming the lower court decision,the District Court said that th e district's2

board has "broad powers including thatof calling bond elections."The court added that the propagandacharge was unfounded.The pending suit has delayed sale of. he bonds and the commencement oftransit operations by the district.Until the bonds are sold, the district

cannot complete an agreement to buy. Key System Transit Lines or purchasenew motor coaches.Should a petition for a hearing by theState Supreme Court be filed, however,district legal advisors are optimistic thata final, favorable decision will be rendered in sufficient time to complete thesale of bonds and commencement ofoperations by the district on October 1.

Hensel Named to New Operations PostKenneth F. Hensel, former AmericanBus Lines executive and a leader in the

transportation industry, has been appointed operations manager of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District.

Hensel, 53,was named to the post bytransit General Manager John R. Worthington, at a salary of $12,000 a year.

Worthington, in announcing the appointment, said Hensel will have responsibility over the operational problems inconnection with the take-over of KeySystem and commencement of districttransit service.

He also will participate in forthcoming labor negotiations with representatives of the Carmen's Union.

The new district official served as avice president of American Bus Lines forthe past 10 years in various managementcapacities concerned with both operations and labor relations.His experience in labor matters extends

District, Union AgreeTo Series of MeetingsOn New Labor ContractCommencement of a series of discussions looking toward a labor contract wasagreed upon this month by representa

tives of the district and Carmen's Union.The discussions beginning August 22were scheduled for the purpose of reaching agreement as to the preliminary basisof an understanding as to conditions tobecome effective in so far as practicablewhen the district assumes operation ofKey System lines on October 1.Such items as may not be resolved during the discussions may continue undernegotiation for an additional 30 days afterthe district begins operation, according toJohn R. Worthington, district generalmanager.At the termination of the 30-day period,such items as still remain to be settledwill be considered for submission to arbitration, he added.

Kenneth F. Henselback for 15 years, during which time hehas earned the high respect and regardof both labor and management, Worthington reported .

Prior to his appointment, Hensel alsoserved as president of Gibson Lines whilethat Sacramento Valley transportationcompany was still a subsidiary of American Bus Lines. Formerly, he was president of Denver-Salt Lake-Pacific Stages,another American Bus Lines subsidiary

Hensel entered the transportation industry in 1929 as a bus driver for Burlington Transportation .Company. Early advancements included those of safety superintendnet, and superintendent of operations for several geographical divisions of the company.Hensel, who resides at 1303 Acton St. ,Berkeley, is a former president of theCalifornia Bus Association which represents 140 companies throughout theState.

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IlC'I'IONS or D E BODDAt the regular meeting August 3, 1960,the Board of Directors: Conducted public hearing and then

approved annexation of Richmond, SanPablo and adjacent unincorporated areato Special Transit Service District No. 1.(Details, Page 2.) Received a report from the GeneralManager that he will be prepared to recommend contract awards for the purchase of new motor coaches at the regular September 7 meeting of the Board. Realigned ward boundaries on thebasis of new population figures as required in advance of the November election for district directors, on motion ofDirector Deadrich. Adopted new district emblem, onmotion of Vice President Bettencourt.(Photo, Page 1.) Created staff position of operationsmanager, on motion of Director Copeland. (Details, Page 3.) Adjourned meeting to August 17 at4:30 p.m. in district offices to considerpreparations for sale of $16,500,000 bondissue.

Transit TimesPublished monthly by th e

ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA TRANSIT DISTRICT700 J G B u l d i n g 506 F , j t . t Street,,, Oakl i i . J ~ r n i a

i l l ' c ! " . ~ 8 0 8 Alan l.Ring-ham, Editor

BOARD OF DIRECTORSROBERT K. BARBER . .. PresidentDirector at LargeWM . J. BETTENCOURT . . Vice PresidentWard IVAlameda, San Leandro and East OaklandROBERT M. COPELAND Director at LargeWILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. . . . . Ward IBerkeley, EI Cerrito and KensingtonJ. HOWARD ARNOLD . Ward IIAlbanyJOHN McDONNEL L . . . . . Ward II I

Emeryville, Oakland and PiedmontPAUL E. DEADRICH . . . . . Ward VCastro Valley, Hayward and San Lorenzo

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSJOHN R. WORTHINGTONROBERT E. NISBETJOHN F. LARSON .GEORGE M. TAYLOR .. . . . 0

General Manager. . AttornevTreasurer-ControllerSecretary

Transit Workers to Come Under Loyalty OathPresent Key System employees who goto work for the district will subscribe toa loyalty oath, as have the employees ofLos Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority and all other state governmentalunits.Robert E. Nisbet, attorney for the district, reported this month that according

Transit TimesAlameda-Contra Costa Transit District700 Plaza BuildingOakland 12, California

Form 3547 Requested

to the State Constitution, the oath mustbe taken by all employees of the State aswell as its "instrumentalities." This, hesaid, includes the transit district.Existing district personnel subscribedto a loyalty oath at the time of their employment.

BU LK RATEU.S. POSTAGEPAID

Oakland, Ca lif.Permit No. 2105

Documents

Transit Times Volume 3, Number 4