Low-income mothers in Pleasanton want better service for jobs, school

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

By Bonita Brewer
Contra Costa Times

PLEASANTON -- Low-income mothers pleaded for better bus service to get their children to school and to doctor's appointments, and other Livermore-Amador Valley residents debated the merits of extending BART or light rail to Livermore.

But one thing was clear as residents weighed in Monday night on local and regional transportation needs during a workshop in Pleasanton: When it comes to transportation dollars, there simply aren't enough to satisfy everyone.

The Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed regional plan on how to spend $82 billion in federal, state and local transportation funds in the next 25 years.

Ninety percent of that cash is already committed to maintaining the system and carrying out projects approved by local voters. Workshops throughout the Bay Area, including the one Monday, have focused on how to spend the other $7.7 billion.

The draft Metropolitan Transportation Commission plan proposes splitting that money, half going to improved road and transit projects recommended by counties, and half to regional programs and services to benefit all Bay Area travelers. Such regional programs include a "smart card" that would work on all Bay Area transit systems and expansion of freeway service patrols to rescue motorists in distress, and to various rideshare programs.

At Monday's workshop, several Spanish-speaking women from Livermore, through an interpreter, complained that the Tri-Valley's Wheels bus service doesn't operate frequently enough and is too costly.

"A lot of these people walk for miles to church in Livermore because of poor public transit," said Reynaldo Guerrero of Transportation Choices Forum.

Anna Rodriguez, who has five children, said her kids often walk three miles to school because the Wheels bus is late. She said she'd like free bus service for low-income students.

Others said they have trouble getting to and from work at McDonald's in Pleasanton because of limited bus service at night.

Merrie DuFrene, of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, said she doesn't believe the service is as bad as it was portrayed.

"We obviously support more frequent weekend and night service if we have money for it," DuFrene added.

Meanwhile, Vaughn Wolffe of Pleasanton said extending BART or "tBART" light rail service to Livermore wouldn't solve congestion problems.

"That's not the majority of people coming through the region," Wolffe said. "The only thing that do that is (Altamont Commuter Express)." He said ACE trains are faster and cheaper to run than BART. "We need quality transit that goes fast."

But former BART director Bob Allen of Livermore said getting BART to Livermore and connected to ACE train is the ultimate answer, and that there are ways to reduce the cost of building the BART line.

Extending BART or BART-run light rail to Livermore is listed in an MTC wish list for which funding is considered possible only if additional revenue becomes available.

Alameda County projects expected to get funding include a BART extension to Warm Springs in south Fremont, I-580 carpool lanes from Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton to Vasco Road in Livermore, widening Highway 84, Altamont Commuter Express improvements and Vasco Road safety upgrades.

Some argued at Monday's workshop that the spending plan puts too much emphasis on transit expansion and not enough on roads. The commission is expected to adopt a final plan in November.

Bonita Brewer covers Tri-Valley growth and transportation. Reach her at 925-847-2120