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Transit Month 2022: Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

Transit CEOs/general managers pose in front of an AC Transit bus from the 1950s at Line 51 Brewery in Oakland on Sept. 16, 2022.

During Transit Month each September, the Bay Area celebrates public transportation – from its buses and trains to its ferries and shuttles – and the people who keep the region moving.

On Friday, Sept. 16, BART hosted a gathering of transit folk and friends in celebration of the themed month. “All Aboard with Transit CEOs” saw 10 transit general managers/CEOs from around the Bay Area riding trains, buses, and ferries with members of the public. Participating agencies included BART, SFMTA, AC Transit, SamTrans, VTA, WETA (San Francisco Bay Ferry), Marin Transit, County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The trek started in downtown Oakland just after 3 p.m. and concluded at Line 51 Brewery in Oakland’s Jack London Square.

Though the distance between downtown Oakland and the waterfront square is just a few miles, the CEOs and attendees decided to make things interesting by riding a handful of public transit services across the bay and back.

“Today is a shining example of the dedication that Bay Area transit leaders are making to work together to foster in the region,” said BART General Manager Robert Powers.

Powers cited the new Clipper BayPass, a two-year pilot program launched in August to study the impact of a single pass that will provide some 50,000 Bay Area residents free access to all bus, rail, and ferry services in the nine-county region.

“All the transit leaders here today are in frequent communication, thanks in large part to the development of the Clipper BayPass,” Powers said.

Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

The ride-a-long crew on AC Transit’s 1T bus.

First Leg: 19th St. and Broadway Ave., Oakland to Lake Merritt BART Station

Transit Agency: AC Transit

Line: 1T

The trip begins at the corner of 19th Street and Broadway in Oakland. Transit CEOs, including AC Transit CEO Mike Hursh, shake hands and exchange hugs. Thus far, about 20 people have joined the ride-a-long. They take over the back of a 1T AC Transit bus, as fellow passengers look on. The rapid bus zips down Broadway, passing afternoon shoppers and playing schoolchildren, before stopping at 11th and Madison streets.

Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

BART General Manager Robert Powers (right) greets Crisis Intervention Specialists and Ambassadors at Lake Merritt Station.

Second Leg: Lake Merritt Station to Powell St. Station, San Francisco

Transit Agency: BART

Line: Daly City-bound (Blue Line)

After the brief bus ride, it’s time to cross the bay on BART.  The CEOs – seven of them so far – pose for photographs with BART’s 50th anniversary station décor; you can still feel the jubilant energy from the previous week’s celebration hanging in the air. The group is greeted by BART Ambassadors and Crisis Intervention Specialists, who accompany them for the next leg. Within five minutes, a Fleet of the Future train arrives to carry the group from Lake Merritt to Powell St. in San Francisco. On the train, the ride-a-long group fills up the first car. “What’s all this?” asks a curious man heading to an Oktoberfest celebration.

Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin (left) speaks with a transit fan at Embarcadero Station.

Third Leg: Powell St. Station to San Francisco Ferry Plaza

Transit Agency: SFMTA (Muni)

Line: M

It’s a quick transfer at Powell St. Station from BART to Muni, where SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin is waiting. CEO tally at this stage in the voyage: nine. When the group emerges from the station, the glittering blue waters of the bay greet them, as do dozens of baseball fans dressed in their Giants and Dodgers gear.

Members of the public join local transit CEOs on fun-filled ride-a-long

Seamless Bay Area Policy Director Ian Griffiths walks onto the ferry with MTC Director Therese McMillan.

Last Leg: San Francisco Ferry Plaza to Oakland Ferry Terminal to Line 51 Brewery

Transit Agency: WETA (San Francisco Bay Ferry)

Line: OA

The water beckons, and it’s time to cross once more. There are now 10 CEOs riding in total, including WETA’s Executive Director Seamus Murphy. It couldn’t be a more picturesque weekday to ride the ferry: The winds are low and refreshing, the sun’s rays are spread out across the water, and the boat’s departure is right on schedule. More people join the ride-a-long at this stage (eager for the brewery portion of the afternoon?), and the CEOs take a seat on the top deck. Ceremoniously, they wave farewell to the fine city behind them.

After a ten-minute walk, the group of about 40 people land at Line 51 Brewery, where they’re greeted by an authentic AC Transit bus from the 1950s and lots of local transit enthusiasts. Beers all around as folks shake hands with the CEOs and ask questions. Then it’s off once more – this time, homebound.

Thanks for riding with us! And a special thanks to the participating executives:

  • AC Transit: Mike Hursh
  • BART: Robert Powers
  • County Connection: Bill Churchill
  • Marin Transit: Nancy Whelan
  • MTC: Therese McMillan
  • SamTrans: Carter Mau
  • Tri Delta Transit: Rashidi Barnes
  • SFMTA: Jeffrey Tumlin
  • VTA: Carolyn Gonot
  • WestCAT: Rob Thompson
  • WETA: Seamus Murphy