AC Transit

The AC Transit Board of Directors announces the appointment of Kathleen Kelly as the transit district's Interim General Manager. Ms. Kelly possesses deep institutional knowledge of AC Transit, having excelled in multiple past leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer, and Interim General Manager. As the Principal of Kathleen Kelly Consulting, she has also served in several Interim Chief Financial Officer and Interim Executive Director roles throughout the Bay Area. Ms. Kelly’s appointment begins December 16 and will act as Interim General Manager as the Board of Directors undertakes a nationwide search for a permanent General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. Full release: https://lnkd.in/gpag9BkJ

Celebrating 117 Years of Service: Meet Donald, Ruthie, and Poon With a combined 117 years of dedication to AC Transit, Donald, Ruthie, and Poon have each been part of the agency since 1985. Their impressive 39-year careers highlight a commitment to public transit and the communities they serve. Mr. Donald began his AC Transit journey in 1985 as a mechanic. Over the years, he has showcased his expertise by participating in bus roadeos and now shares his knowledge and mentors the next generation through the Mechanic Help Program. Ms. Ruthie operates out of Division 6, serving southern Alameda County. She values the camaraderie and growth she experiences alongside her coworkers. Her advice to new bus operators? Memorize route directions, familiarize yourself with bus lines by riding them, and avoid over-relying on the GPS. Mr. Poon, also based out of Division 6, says Line U is one of his favorite routes. His tip for new bus operators is to be patient, especially on high-traffic lines. Poon attributes his long tenure to AC Transit's excellent benefits and pay. Together, Donald, Ruthie, and Poon exemplify the dedication and experience that keep AC Transit moving. Let's thank them for their service 👏

Our newly elected board directors have been sworn in! Congratulations to Ward 1 Director H. E. Christian Peeples, Ward 2 Director Jean Walsh, and Director Anthony C. Silva, who will represent newly formed Ward 6. Their terms end in 2028. Press release: actransit.us/4ilxfdB

Introducing our December Employees of the Month! Let's give applause to our operators, mechanics, and supervisors for their hard work and dedication in keeping AC Transit running. Congratulations and join us in recognizing their excellence: https://lnkd.in/g_RmDhtD

Ward 1 Director Jovanka Beckles will be leaving office this month and we want to thank her for her service on the AC Transit Board of Directors over the past four years. We wish her the best of luck!

Meet our class of new bus operators! They may be on your bus line operating out of Oakland's Division 4! Say hello if you see them on your line. Congratulations and welcome to AC Transit!

The AC Transit team made the trip down to San Jose for California Transit Association's 59th Annual Fall Conference & Expo. Staff took in various sessions, including workforce development, activating public spaces, and zero emission initiatives and look forward to putting lessons learned into action. Thanks for VTA for hosting! #CalTransit24

It is with tremendous gratitude we announce GM and CEO Michael Hursh will be transitioning from his leadership role to a Senior Advisor with the District, effective December 14. During his nine years of leadership, AC Transit achieved nearly a decade of balanced budgets, often with surpluses, while spearheading groundbreaking advancements. These include the successful launch of the Tempo BRT, the re-launch of the Salesforce Transit Center, and a pioneer in zero emission transit. Under his guidance, AC Transit garnered numerous accolades, including the 2023 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award from the American Public Transportation Association. Recently, he joined Gov. Newsom for the launch of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), where AC Transit is set to receive $144 million to expand its hydrogen fueling infrastructure and bus fleet. Hursh also championed the creation of Zero Emission Bus University (ZEBU), a trailblazing partnership with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, and $40.5 million in FTA awards, which will unlock new jobs for the region and state. Hursh acknowledges that none of this would have been possible without the support of AC Transit’s team of 2,100+ dedicated professionals. He has made an indelible mark on AC Transit, and our transit district celebrates his remarkable contributions to not only the East Bay but the global transit industry. Full press release: https://lnkd.in/gS7drMw8

Last week, Carly Sincavitch, Policy Advisor to U.S. Congressmember Eric Swalwell, visited our Zero Emission Bus University (ZEBU) in Hayward, CA. During the tour, Carly was guided by our maintenance instructor and ATU Local 192 mechanics, where she had the opportunity to experience our cutting-edge augmented reality training simulator. She learned how to identify parts in a hydrogen fuel cell bus engine, an essential skill for the future of public transit. This innovative workforce development program is part of a historic partnership between AC Transit, Chabot College, and labor, launching the nation’s first transit-collegiate collaboration focused on zero-emission transit training, career development, and apprenticeships. We’re proud of this groundbreaking effort, made possible in part by Congressmember Swalwell’s continued support. Thank you, Congressman, for investing in ZEBU and helping us lead the charge toward a cleaner, more resilient future. #ZEBU #ZeroEmission #CleanEnergy #WorkforceDevelopment #PublicTransit #HydrogenFuelCell #Sustainability #GreenJobs

AC Transit’s bus network serves large portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. As part of a statewide initiative, we’re seeking your input to better understand your experiences as a rider, particularly regarding any unsafe events you may have encountered. This survey supports Senate Bill 434 (SB 434), a law passed in 2023 that mandates large transit agencies in California to collect and share information on harassment experienced on public transit. Respond by December 1 for a chance to win one of forty $100 VISA Cash Cards: https://lnkd.in/gZgNn9tn