Article last updated:
Friday, May 04, 2001 2:47 AM MST
Revamped bus system taking to road in Tracy
By Brooke Bryant
SAN JOAQUIN BUREAU
TRACY -- Getting around Tracy is about to be a little easier.
A revamped bus system will go into effect in June with the start of
fixed-route bus service to such city landmarks as the West Valley
Mall, the Tracy Library and City Hall.
A number of schools, parks, apartment complexes and commercial centers
are also on the route.
The 60-minute route is "not only quick, but within a two- to
three-block walk of most of the major institutions in town," said Paul
Jewell, a consultant with the firm that designed the route.
The bus does miss a few major centers of activity, including the
commuter train station and Wal-Mart.
The bus will swing within a half-mile of the Altamont Commuter Express
train station in south Tracy, but won't get any closer, much to the
consternation of several City Council members.
"I can't get beyond the fact that we're not serving the ACE station,"
said Councilman Brent Ives. "I'm not going to let go of that, so you
might as well get ready for that."
However, even if it were to make the trek, the earliest bus would
arrive too late for commuters to catch the last ACE departure. In
addition, according to Jewell, commuters are a "separate market" that
would be better served by a separate, commuter-driven service.
Mayor Dan Bilbrey wondered why Wal-Mart wasn't included on the line,
speculating that it probably generates enough traffic to warrant
consideration.
But Jewel said that, historically, shopping centers like Wal-Mart are
"abysmal" generators of ridership. "Most of the people going to
Wal-Mart are going to buy something in quantity, and they bring their
cars," he explained.
Councilman Wes Huffman's criticism centered more around the deportment
of young riders. He said that students who misbehave should not be
given "500 chances to be good" but rather should be barred from the
bus system and given the opportunity to "practice walking."
Huffman's comments caused Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert to protest
laughingly: "He's dragging our babies off to jail!"
The Tracy City Council approved the proposed route and fares at its
Tuesday meeting, but balked at putting a final seal of approval on the
name and logo that will grace buses, bus stops and promotional
materials.
The name currently on the table is Tracer, illustrated in a simple
oval logo in blue and red. Runners-up included T-Rider, Tracy Transit,
and Trax.
The design issue will be brought back to council members at the next
meeting.
Buses will run twice an hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through
Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
All this will be available to the public for a mere 75 cents a ride,
while seniors, students, and the disabled riders will enjoy a price
break at 50 cents.
In an analysis of comparable bus systems, the city determined it was
well within a competitive pricing range. Turlock and Dixon, for
example, charge $1.50 for their bus service, while Atascadero rings in
at $1.25.
For the price-conscious transit rider, there will be a 10-ride
discount booklet available for $5.
Although the current Dial-A-Ride service will still be available, the
city will start shifting the program toward seniors and persons with
disabilities, according to Parks Director Karen McNamara.
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