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AC Transit began a three-week pilot program Monday in which it uses a 42-foot-long, double-decker bus on selected longer routes in its service area in 13 cities and surrounding areas in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
Bus agency officials said the 80-seat coach will offer riders comfortable excursions with spectacular views, especially on transbay routes that go to and from San Francisco.
On Monday, the bus was scheduled to make its first trip on the Line U, which goes from Fremont to Stanford University — then deployed on other daily routes, particularly on transbay routes.
AC Transit spokesman Clarence Johnson said Feb. 19 that the double-decker bus has a much larger capacity than the current articulated, accordion-style buses used by the agency, which only seat about 50 people.
The double bus also a smaller carbon footprint than current buses and allows passengers to exit from rear doors, Johnson said.
Johnson said the idea is for AC Transit to gauge customer reaction, assess how well the bus functions and ultimately determine whether the bus will be permanently added to its fleet.
AC Transit General Manager David Armijo said in a statement, “We have been operating transbay service for more than 50 years, and we want to look at what is the best vehicle that best fits us now, given our current needs.”
He said, “We’ve tried a lot of different kinds of coaches. But until now we haven’t tried this one.”
People who want to get a close-up view of the bus can look at it in front of AC Transit’s headquarters at 1600 Franklin Street in downtown Oakland from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Wednesday.
Bus agency officials said the double-decker bus offers panoramic views, foot rests, soft reclining seats on its upper deck and an upgraded surveillance system to assist the driver.
They also say there will be free fares for all who board it during its three-week trial run.
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It is a good news. It looks like it may be a luxury service. Can you tell me the areas covered by this bus – and the cost. I live in Danville. Where is the bus stop for me to go to Stanford or or to San Francisco.
thanks
vijaya
what are the routes and the timings and the cost. I live in Danville. Where do I catch the bus to go to Stanford and to San Francisco.
Thanks
vijaya
Great news…DOUBLE-DECK BUSES…finally someone is thinking out-side the box.
BUT NOW SOME AGENCY OR A POLITICIAN WITH GUTS MUST TACKLE THE FREEWAY GRID-LOCK ISSUE. BUT WE SHOULDN’T HOLD ARE BREATH…IT WON’T HAPPEN.
JUST A THOUGHT, Thanks for listening, Julia Pardini from Alamo