Transit Times Volume 4, Number 10

8/14/2019 Transit Times Volume 4, Number 10

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For the 600d of Your CommunityVol. 4 No. 10 OAKLAND, FEBRUARY 1962

TRANSIT CHIEF MOURNED

Death Takes J. R. Worthington, FirstGeneral Manager of Transit DistrictThe sudden death of John R. Worth- as "a great loss to the district and theington, general manager of AC Transit, community he so faithfully served."

brought tribute and regret this month The success of the district, he added,from the people who worked with him, "attests to the remarkable abilitie') offrom the community he served and from Mr. Worthington which are so widelyrepresentatives of the transit industry recognized throughout the transit in-throughout the nation. dustry."Mr. Worthington died Further tribute was paidof an unexpected heart in a notice from the boardcomplication on February president to all employees,lO, a day after his 61st posted on bulletin boardsbirthday. He had been throughout the district.hospitalized a week for From the workers them-treatment of a chronic selves, and from the pub-lung illness. lie in general, came otherAlthough plagued by messages, all in accord infailing health, he refused honoring the dynamic,to bow to his illness and razor-sharp ability of Mr.drove himself tirelessly in Worthington and in de-an effort to fulfill his ploring his death.promise of helping to F. Vern Stambaugh,make AC Transit the "best president of Carmen's Di-transportation system in vision 192, eulogized himthe nation." John R. Worthington as "one of the finest men

How well he succeeded was apparent in the district." Stambaugh credited himfrom the plaudits of other executives, with "building a better transit systemwho heralded him as an executive whose than most people realize."vision and forceful planning had much Symbolic of Mr. Worthington's posito do with the success of district operation as a widely recognized authority ontions. Equal praise came from transit all phases of urban transportation, hisworkers and from shocked colleagues. funeral services were attended by repre-

William J. Bettencourt, president of sentatives from many branches of thethe board of directors, mourned his death transit industry. (Continued on Page 8)


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Celebration to Launch New Transit LineA day long celebration, featuring freerides for workers as well as shoppers, will

launch AC Transit's new Line 93 withtraditional southern Alameda County enthusiasm on March 5.

The new crosstown line will give SanLorenzo residents their first neighborhood bus service and will provide additional transit for south San Leandro, aswell as a direct route to Fairmont Hospital.As result, riders will have access toshopping centers and business districts,to widely spread residential areas andto transfer connections with trunk linesto other East Bay cities and San Fran-cisco, including the 30 and 32 City Express.

The retail council of the San LeandroChamber of Commerce and merchantsof the Bay Fair Shopping Center areparticipating in the welcome to the busservice, inviting residents to be theirguests on opening day.

The sponsoring groups decided to offer free rides during the entire periodof first-day service, 6 a.m. to 7 p .m., to.give workers a chance to try the newline, as well as shoppers.A letter from William J. Bettencourt,president of the district board, is beingmailed to approximately 7,000 familiesin the area, explaining how the servicecan be used , the district's fare structure,and expressing a "welcome aboard."

Included with the letter will be atimetable and a map, showing all of theservice in southern Alameda County,plus information on how to reach variousplaces, such as City, county an d statebuildings, parks and recreation spots,hospitals and colleges, by bus transportation.All stores in the Bay Fair ShoppingCenter also will post cards in their windows, with a map of the new servicean d a timetable of operations.

The San Leandro Chamber plans to2

have "sunshine sweethearts" aboard Line93 on opening day to add a personalwelcome and to pass out timetables andmaps .Buses on the new line will fly colored

pennants of persimmon and Tahoe tur-quoise and will carry signs, on the outside and on the fare box, announcingthe "free ride" day.

Line 93 buses will operate 6 a.m. to7 p.m. daily except Sunday, observinga 30-minute headway.With Paseo Grande an d Hesperian

Blvd. as one terminal, Line 93 will travelthrough San Lorenzo, looping via Chan-nel St., Grant Ave. and Bockman Rd. ,returning to travel along Hesperian tothe Bay Fair center on East 14th St. inSan Leandro. The line will continuealong East 14th to 159th Ave., an d via159th to Foothill, passing in front ofFairmont Hospital before making a terminal loop via Foothill, 149th Ave. an d150th Ave., back to Foothill and return-ing to San Lorenzo in the reverse direction.Along with approving the new service,the AC board of directors approved achange in the routing of Line 81 andtrips on the transbay R line operatingthrough Washington Manor, making useof Lewelling Blvd. instead of Fargo Ave.Retirement Scheduled

For Walter TresemerWalter L. Tresemer, account clerk in

the accounting department at GeneralOffices, is scheduled for retirementMarch 1.

Tresemer came to work for Key Systemas an equipment clerk in Way and Structures, transfelTing to the engineering de partment of the Richmond ShipyardRailroad for service during the years ofWorld War II. He moved to the accounting department in 1948. Tresemer livesat 1570 Pacific Ave., Alameda.

TO THE WINNER-Trophy for the highest miles operated per road call is presentedto Emeryville division mechanics by Maintenance M anager Brooks Rice, right, andaccepted by E. A. Towers, superintendent. On hand for honors were D. C. Rodriques,left, foreman, and F. A. Johnson, mechanic and shop steward.

Emeryville Mechanics Win First HonorsIn New District-Wide Road Call Contest

The Emeryville maintenance divisionof AC Transit started off the new vearan d a new road call contest by w i n ~ i n g first honors in a competition to determinewhich division can tally up the highestmiles pe r road call.

The trophy went to Emeryville mechanics for the record in January, 11,313miles per road call.The contest, sponsored by the main

tenance department, features a revolving trophy, a result of a suggestion bythe late John R. Worthington, generalmanager.

Told of the proposed contest by Maintenance Manager Brooks Rice, Mr.Worthington not only gave hearty approval, but added the idea of a trophy.Special glass cases have been erected

at each division with a place for thetrophy, which features th e AC Transitemblem and a model of a diesel engine.Name plates in the empty cases willtell where the trophy is on display forthe month.

A special bulletin will give further details on which division won th e awardand the total of miles.

The contest was started to encouragemechanics to do such a good job, repeatcalls will be avoided and possible mechanical troubles prevented.To determine the winner, the totalmileage turned in by buses at each division is divided by the number of roadcalls for mechanical help made by drivers. Highest mileage figure wins, according to Rice.

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WELL-WISHERS - Sending"Peralta" on her way wereMayor John L. Davie of Oakland; Mrs. Herminia PeraltaDargie, who christened ferry;Mayor Frank Otis of Alameda, among official guests.

PRIDE OF THE KEY SYSTEM-The ferry"Peralta" slides down the ways afterlaunching ceremonies at Moore DryDock in Oakland on Oct. 14, 1926.Legend claims the boat stuck on theways-a bad omen in launching tradition. The ferry fulfilled belief.

New Honors for Former Ferry 'Peralta'By Virginia Dennison

Visitors to the Seattle World's Fair this which caused so much trouble duringyear may meet an old friend, the one- her brief years as a Key System ferry.time ferry "Peralta," which shook a jinx Legend has it that she started offand a name for a new career on Puget under a "bad omen" by faltering on th eSound. ways during her launching Oct; 14, 1926,Once the pride of the Key System, the at the Moore Dry Dock in Oakland.ferry was rebuilt and rechristened the But if she got stuck on the ways-a"Kalakala" 27 years ago after a disas- traditionally bad sign-there was no hinttrous tour of duty in local waters. of pending disaster in newspaper ac-

With her "ill-fated" days behind her, counts of the launching or in scenes capth e "Kalakala" has led an exemplary life tured at the time on a photographer'sas the flagship of the Black Ball Line glass plates.and more recently, as the favorite stand- The plates have been recovered by ACby of Washington State Ferries . Transit and prints made to add to his-

She'll take on new honors during torical material being gathered on theWorld's Fair days, carrying visitors to past of the iKey System and East Baythe Naval shipyard at Bremerton to see a transportation in general.display of Navy craft. The photos show a gala scene. From a

Old-time commuters will never recog- launching platform draped in flags, Mrs.nize her as the wide-beamed "Peralta," Herminia Peralta Dargie christened the4

FIRE CASUALTY - The pierfire of 1933 left the "ill-fatedPeralta" a charred shell, final blow to what had become the "jinx ship" of theKey System fleet.

ferry in the name of her great grandfather, Don Luis Maria Peralta.The distinguished party included Oak

land's most distinguished-looking man,Mayor John L. Davie; Mayor Frank Otisof Alameda and other officials. And therewas unanimous praise for the "Peralta's"fireproof construction and her "unsinkable" status.

But hardly had she been pu t into service when the "Peralta" rammed into theend of her slip in San Francisco, causing extensive damage. A few monthslater, she crashed into the Oakland pier.

On Feb . 17, 1928, came a major catastrophy. The "Peralta" dipped her bowinto the bay during the evening commuter rush; 30 persons were washedoverboard; five were drowned.

There was more to come. The nightof May 6, 1933, an incendiary fire de-

STREAMLINED FERRY-This ishow the former ferry "Peralta" will look to World'sFair visitors at Seattle. Re-built and rechristened the"Kalakala," she's beenhappy on Puget Sound.

stroyed the pier terminal and 'the lossincluded the "Peralta ," left a charredshell.

The hull was purchased by Capt.Alexander M. Peabody, president ofPuget Sound Navigation Co., who hadthe boat rebuilt into a streamlined craftthat looked like a blimp.

In the years since, the "Kalakala" hascarried Navy yard workers to Bremerton; summer excursionists on the Soundand tourists heading for Victoria, B.C.

Her passenger capacity of 2,000 is stillthe largest in the fleet, bu t her limitedoverhead vehicle clearance has relegatedher to the role of a secondary vehiclecarrier.

She's still "old reliable" and a favoritewith Washington State Ferries, however,and the natural choice for entertainingSeattle visitors.

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Exclusive Bridge Bus Lane AttractsNew Increase in Commute Boole Sales

Ticket sales to transbay bus commuters took a jump in Janumy, indicatingthe effectiveness of the exclusive busright-of-way on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

Commute book sales for the month totaled $168,820, an increase of 12.8 percent or $19,213 over the sales in January,1961.

The evening commute buses havebeen rolling with full loads since thespecial bus lane was established by theState on January 15 to take the pressureoff rush hour traffic congestion.

But the noticeable increase in the saleof commute books gave the first informative count on how many more passengers are making use of the bus serviceto avoid upper deck automobile traffic.Along with the jump in commute sales,there has been a noticeable increase in"happy comments" from the riders, according to C. M. Walker, superintendentof the Transbay Transit Terminal in SanFrancisco.

He said commuters have been able toreturn to the traveling schedules theyfollowed before bridge construction andthe "hump" slowed auto and bus travel.

"They feel it's a break to get throughthe traffic. They can't say enough aboutit. Some of them say they're gettinghome 15, 20 or 25 minutes earlier thanthey were before," he reported.

The exclusive bus lane was set up bythe State between the San Franciscoanchorage and Yerba Buena tunnel inan effort to encourage greater use ofpublic transit. Peak hour capacity of thebridge was cu t by about 25 per cent lastNovember with the advent of the"hump," according to bridge officials.

With the special lane and the help ofState highway patrolmen in mergingbuses into regular traffic lanes, motorcoaches are now crossing the span onschedule in an average 12 or 13 minutesduring the evening rush periods-'-twiceas fast as automobiles.

Applicants Sought For General ManagerA nationwide recruiting campaign isbeing conducted by the AC Transit

board of directors before selecting a successor to John R. Worthington as general manager of the district.William J. Bettencourt, president ofthe board, explained that the decision toask for candidates thoughout the industry does not rule out the possibility thata member of the present district staffwill be named to the post.

"We owe it to the people to open theposition to all interested applicants tomake sure we get the best possible man,". Bettencourt said.He added that the district is in excel-

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lent hands under leadership of KennethF. Hensel, assistant general manager.Bettencourt said the directors hope to

fill the post "relatively soon." Applications will be accepted through March 2and the board will begin evaluating candidates on Feb. 28.

More InformationA note or phone call to the transit district- OLympic 3-3525-will place yourname on the mailing list for Transit

Times if you are not already regularly receiving a copy of the monthly newsletter.

CONTRIBUTION-Efforts of AC Transit to provide the finest public transportationsystem possible were recognized by the Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce ina plaqu e presented to the district for a "significant contribution to the Metropolitan Oakland area/' Shown presenting award to William J. Bettencourt, left, president of the AC Transit board of directors, is Robert W. Crandall, chairman of industrial greeting for the junior chamber's Commerce and Industry Committee.

Welcome Extended to New WorkersThe welcome mat was out in January

for the following new employees, whohave joined AC Transit.

General OfficesTreasUlY: Joan E. Ishom, 622 Pas eoDel Rio, San Lorenzo.Tabulating: Ellen J. Cain, 1635 Merced St., Richmond.

Emeryville DivisionBus Operators: C. A. Donais, 311214th Ave., Oakland; Joe Turegano Sr.,43052 Peachwood St., Irvington; B. K.McDorman, 5lO Pleasant Hill Rd., Pleas-

ant Hill; C. E. Ballard, 3112 14th Ave.,Oakland; R. S. Surdyka, 662 34th Ave.,San Francisco.East Oakland Division

Bus Operator: A. R. Chadwick, lO36College Ave., Alameda.Maintenance: James J. Hussey, 22957Sutro St., Hayward .Richmond Division

Bus Operators: H. V. Dolan, 3112 14thAve., Apt. 20l, Oakland; W. O. Boden,5120 Sacramento Ave., Apt. 7, Richmond.7


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ResolutionMemorializing Achie'Vements of John R. Worthington,General M a n a g e r ~ and Expressing Sympathy

To His FamilyWHEREAS, the late John R. Worthington first came to the Alameda

Contra Costa Transit District during its crucial formative period as itstechnical consultant, bringing with him years of invaluable experience inthe transportation field; and,

WHEREAS, he was soon thereafter appointed as the District's firstGeneral Manager in which capacity, working closely with the Board ofDirectors, he guided the District step by step to a smooth and successfulassumption of operations; and ,WHEREAS, his tireless efforts substantially contributed to the develop

ment of today's system of mass transportation, which has achieved theenviable reputation as one of the most outstanding in the nation; and,WHEREAS, this noted success of the District attests to the remarkableabilities and devotion to duty of John R. Worthington.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directorsof Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District that this Board does herebyexpress its sympathy to his wife and family, and its deep sense of loss,

both personally and on behalf of the District, occasioned by his untimelypassing.

Adopted February 14, 1962.

Death of Manager Loss 10 Dislri(1(Continued from Page 1) superintendent of the entire bus an drail passenger operations.n his 44 years of transportation experience, Mr. Worthington had compiledpractical, operating knowledge in thevaried fields of steam railroading, urbanand inter-urban electric railways andlocal and inter-city bus operations.

A native of Oakland, Mr. Worthington was educated in local schools beforejoining the Southern Pacific as a messenger in 1917. Typically, he quicklyworked his way upward, transferring tothe executive offices in 1929.While in a supervisory status, he wastransferred in 1937 to Pacific ElectricRailway at Los Angeles as assistant superintendent. He remained with thatcompany until 1947, serving as general8

When National City Lines purchasedthe Key System in 1947, Mr. Worthington accepted the position of assistanttransportation consultant and operationsmanager. He also served as executiveassistant to the president and transportation engineer.

Mr. Worthington resigned in 1954 toorganize and manage the California BusAssociation, representing the more than140 bus carriers in California.He first came to the fledgling AC Transit District in 1958 as its engineering consultant. He was well recognized as anoutstanding expert in the field of trans-(Continued on page 9)

What the Editors are Saying About TransitOakland Tribune John R. WorthingtonOAKLAND, the East Bay and theBay area has lost one of its mostaccomplished transit authorities in thedeath of John R. Worthington.

When death claimed Mr. Worthington Saturday, he was general manager ofthe new an d highly successful AlamedaContra Costa Transit District, bu t hiscareer spanned 45 years in the transportation field.

A native of Oakland and a ma n longdevoted to civic enterprises and the betterment of the city, Mr. Worthingtonspent most of his long career in this area,although his name was known an d respected throughout the nation and hisadvice sought.

Worthington(Continued from preceding page)portation when he was named a shorttime later as the district's first generalmanager.

Under his management, the districtrolled into operations with a long list ofimprovements - including new equipment, improved and new bus service an dmajor West Coast innovations such as airconditioning.

His determination to give the publicgood bus transit, coupled with equalendeavor by the Board of Directors, iscredited with the district's present position as one of the few transportationsystems in the nation recording an increase in passenger revenue.Mr. Worthington made his home at4721 Lincoln Ave., with his wife, Ethel.

He is also survived by four children andnine grandchildren.

After the new Alameda-Contra CostaTransit District took over from Key System-a firm for which Mr. Worthingtonserved as operations manager for severalyears-he was named engineering consultant for the new District and sixmonths later was appointed generalmanager.

The present public acceptance an dsupport of the new District is a testament to his ability. As AG ,board ofdirectors' president William J. Bettencourt, said of Mr. Worthington, "Hisdeath is a great loss to the District andthe community he so faithfully served."

Extension of Health,Welfare Plan Adopted

Adoption of a health and welfare planfor 155 non-union employees has beenset for July 1, pending choice by theworkers of a preferred program.The board has given the go-ahead ona health plan, based on contribution by

the district of $5 a month per worker,the remaining cost to be paid by theemployee. The plan will cost the districtan estimated $9,300 a year.

Employees have been asked to selecta program from three deemed by thestudy committee as the most desirable.The plan will be put into effect after theresults of the survey are studied.

The board also has directed that initial steps be taken to include new noncontract workers in a pension plan already covering former Key System andunion employees. The plan was takenover by the district at the time it acquired Key System Transit Lines.

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AC / transit PASSENGER REVENUE ... COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS YEAR$1 ,040.000 _-...,..--.....-...,.--.,.--...,.-- .....-__..--..... . . ; . . __ . - -......-_

$1 ,020,000 I ~ . . . . : . . : ~ . J - - - + - - - - - - ! - - + - - - + - - - - - - ! I - - - ~ ' + - - ' I ~ - + - - - I 1,000,000 I--- - - + - - - j . . ---+- - + - - - + - - + - - - - + - - - + ->F - - - + - - - - ' ....~ _ _ I 980,000 I - - - - - + -__ - l - - - - ' l k - + ~ _ + - - " I ~ - + - - + - - ___--+----+--+--_&_I

940,000 J - - - - - - - J + - , - - - - - + - - - - + - _ : " 1 1 1 1 ~ - - - - - - , f . ; ; ; ; ; 1 " : ' ! ! ! ! ! - - - + - - . - . : : " ' l ~ - _ _ _ l 920,000 I-- ---+--..JI-- l - - -----+--+ - - - + "'i.--+ ----E-l---+----+--+ - - - - I

880,000

AC Transit income totaled $1,064,785 for December,an increase of $29,184 for th e month.

Receipts covered operation an d maintenance ex~ n s e s , plus $44,283 toward retirement of bonded debt.

Total income was approximately $75,000 short offully providing amortization of property purchasedfrom Key System an d depreciation of new equipment,John Larson, treasurer-controller, reported.

Studies had projected a deficit over next severalmonths, however, while passenger growth catches upwith improvements .

During the first half of th e fiscal year, all costs, including depreciation and bond interest were earnedan d a surplus of $170,052 accumulated towards bondretirement, Larson said. Budget projections for theperiod had anticipated a $75,600 deficit.

Operating and maintenance expenses of $984,065were an increase of $87,313 over th e same month,1960, due to a greater operating mileage-an additional133,373 miles for the month-and increased wages.10

NOV. OEC.

DECEMBERPASSENGERS

Percentage ChangeFrom Previous Year+ 6%_------"(+ 4% 1- -______ 1-r 2% 1 -_____ _ -1

2%

- 4%- 6% '-______ ..11

_ ACTRANSIT_ U. S. TRANSIT INDUSTRY

Trolley Enthusiast Runs Own System;No Worries About Passenger Revenue

When he was a youngster, Richard"Dick" Bertz, mechanic leaderman at th eEast Oakland division, had just two interests. On e ,was riding the street carsand the other wa s spending the rest ofhis time at the street car barns.

Naturally, he grew up to get a job atKey System, bu t time and World War IIservice as a Marine at Guam and IwoJima brought a change in transit an d"Dick" never did get to spend much tim eon his favorite trolleys.

So now he has his own trolley system,the "Harbor View Traction Co.", whichruns around the walls of his garage at17150 Via Media, San Lorenzo.

Although "Dick" has already built anumber of units to operate on his 85 feetof track, he 's started on a new project,th e construction of former Key Systemequipment, built from original blueprints, on a one-eighth of an inch scale.

He's completed siderod wrecker 1011,rebuilding freight motor 100l, and isworking on line car 1201. And he expectseventually to have a good representation

MR. PRESIDENT - Head of a"tra el i 0 n co m pa n y" he'sbuilding himself, Ric h a r d"Dick" Bertz is patterningequipment after former KeySystem cars, like wrecker No.1011 (right) and line car No.1201.

of work and passenger equipment in running order."Dick" runs his trolley system on over

head wires, operating one section off aSan Francisco street car controller andthe other, off a former Key System controller.

The trolleys roll through miniaturetowns, labeled in memory of the Sacramento Northern line, Oakland, Lafayette,Walnut Creek and Pittsburg.

As "president" of his own company,"Dick" has passes-signed by himselfand his own color scheme of yellow andbrown.

In case you're wondering how hesolved th e doorway problem at his garage, an eight-foot trestle-which lifts up-bridges the gap , so his little cars canget across and his family car can get in .

Dick's wife, Dorothy, enjoys his hobbyand his oldest son, David, 5, can run thesystem like a veteran .

But, as he says:"I still have to do a little brain-washing on th e youngest, Douglas, 2."


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ACTIONS OF THE BOARDAt an adjourned regular meeting Jan

uary 23, 1962, the Board of Directors: Tendered appreciation to Commissioner Bradford Crittenden and Inspector Daniel O'Connell of California Highway Patrol for assistance and cooperation in speeding movement of transbaybuses, on motion of Director Coburn. Approved purchase and installationof air springs on 2000 series buses, onmotion of Director Coburn. Approved program to include noncontract employees in health and welfareplan, on motion of Director Barber. Approved service changes on LinesSl-San Lorenzo and R-Hayward in areaof Washington Manor, on motion of VicePresident Copeland. Declared surplus and authorizedsale of property at Wala Vista and Carlston Aves., Oakland on motion of VicePresident Copeland.* * *t the regular monthly meeting Febru-ary 14, 1962, the Board of Directors: Approved changes in specificationsfor new buses to permit Rexibility inselection of equipment, on motion ofDirector Coburn.

Approved changes in lease covering

TRANSIT TIMES

BOARD OF DIRECTORSWM. J. BETTENCOURT . PresidentWard IVROBERT M. COPELAND . . . Vice PresidentDirector at LorgeROBERT K. BARBER ., Director at LargeWILLIAM H. COBURN, JR. Wa rd IWILLIAM E. BERK Ward IIJOHN McDONNELL Ward II IE. GUY WARREN Ward V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERSJOHN R. WORTHINGTON General ManagerROBERT E. NISBET . AttorneyJOHN F. LARSON . Treasurer--Controll",GEORGE M. TAYLOR. .. Secretary

automobiles used by claims departmentpersonnel, on motion of Director Coburn. Adopted initial procedure for establishing pension plan for non-contractpersonnel, on motion of Director Barber. Adopted revised description of posi-tion of treasurer-controller, on motion

of Director Coburn. Memorialized achievements of JohnR. Worthington, general manager, andexpressed sympathy to his family, byunanimous declaration.Rider Proves 'Golden Rule' Principle

A bus passenger proved to employeesat the general offices recently that shebelieves in the "Golden Rule."The rider, Mrs. Alzada Stowers, 66939th St., Oakland, stopped at 1106 Broadway to report she had left her purse,

containing all her money, on a bus.TRANSIT TIMES

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District1106 BroadwayOakland 7, CaliforniaReturn Requested

When she was given a token to get home,she voluntarily promised to return it.Sure enough, she made a return tripto repay the token. Later, Mrs. Stowersdiscovered that someone had depositedthe lost purse at her doorstep.

BULK RATEU.S. POSTAGEPAIDOakland, Calif_Permit No. 2105

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Transit Times Volume 4, Number 10