AC Transit Preserves Key Routes in Draft Final Realign Plan
By Ken Der,
2024-08-07
In a sharp reversal, AC Transit is no longer proposing any changes to Lines 6, 51A, or 51B as the transit agency enters the “Draft Final” stage of its Realign service planning process.
Changes are no longer proposed to Line 51A under the Draft Final Realign Plan. Photo Ken Der.
The Draft Final Plan proposes an updated service network for implementation in March 2025 that incorporates operator and public feedback solicited during the spring on the Draft Plan that was released in May 2024. Among the most significant changes for this round is the decision to retain these three high-ridership lines with no changes to existing alignments or service, negating proposals in past Realign phases to break off and reconnect various sections of each line.
Lines 6, 51A, and 51B are proposed to retain their current routing under the Draft Final Realign Plan. Map AC Transit.
Many Alameda residents had voiced strong opposition to the drastic changes in the May 2024 plan, which proposed eliminating Lines 51A and 51B and extending Line 6 (which serves Telegraph Avenue between Berkeley and Downtown Oakland) to replace Line 51A in Alameda and to Fruitvale BART. Riders were concerned about the need to transfer in Downtown Oakland and expressed particular dissatisfaction with the loss of a one-stop ride to Kaiser Oakland from Alameda. In an effort to placate concerns, the May 2024 plan had proposed extending Line 19 to Kaiser Oakland, but the idea was met with skepticism due to the proposed low (hourly) frequency.
Since the Draft Final Plan now proposes keeping Line 51A as is, Line 19 would instead serve its existing route between Downtown Oakland and Fruitvale BART. Other changes to Alameda routes since the May 2024 plan include a further extension of Line 20 into Alameda Point as it deviates through West Alameda, and the addition of service on Line 21 to the Chabot Space and Science Center.
AC Transit route network in Alameda proposed under the Draft Final Plan. Map AC Transit.
Below is a table with a complete list of changes proposed for routes serving Alameda, with links to maps and details. Note that AC Transit has added the placeholder prefix “DF” to each line number to denote the current “Draft Final” scenario.
Line 20 would be rerouted from Webster Street into the West End and Alameda Point via Lincoln Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Main Street, West Atlantic Avenue, Pan Am Way, and Willie Stargell Avenue.
This extension would bring bus service to within ¼-mile of the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal.
Line 21 would end at Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center and no longer serve the Oakland Airport. No replacement service is proposed.
Instead, it would be extended from Dimond District to Skyline High School (alternating weekday trips) or Chabot Space and Science Center (alternating weekday trips and all weekend trips) in Oakland via Lincoln Avenue, Joaquin Miller Road, and Skyline Boulevard, replacing existing Line 39 and suspended Line 339.
Line W would be rerouted to serve Bay Farm Island from High Street to replace Transbay Line OX.
631, 663, and 687
(Supplementary School Service)
No changes have been announced for supplementary school service.
Maps of proposed changes
Proposed changes to Line 19. Map AC Transit. Proposed changes to Lines 20, 21, and 39. Map AC Transit. Proposed changes to Line 96. Map AC Transit. Proposed changes to Transbay Lines OX and W. Map AC Transit.
The Draft Final Plan offers numerous opportunities for the public to provide feedback. With the approval of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, August 7 , AC Transit plans to host several remote and hybrid public hearings on September 9, 10, and 11. Riders can also fill out a survey or submit comments for individual lines on the interactive web map . The web map also features a trip planner to simulate what your transit trip may look like after Realign is implemented in March 2025.
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