More AC Transit bus schedule changes starting Feb. 1

"Five months after AC Transit implemented a new bus schedule that had been two years in the making, the transit agency is now readying for a round of adjustments that will take effect next month. Robert Lyles, an agency spokesperson, said the updates will take effect on the first day of February and include some needed changes. The agency issues four service changes a year, but this is the first time it has made changes to the new schedule since August."

"One of the changes involves adding a stop on Line 31 at Balmoral Drive and Skyline Boulevard, in front of Skyline High School, about once an hour until 9 p.m. That's likely to help kids get home after late sports practices or matches at the Oakland Hills public school. That change from the current schedule, however, will make the end-of-line stop at the Chabot Space Science Center less frequent."

"The agency says some of the changes are designed to improve overcrowding, especially on Lines 73, F, and O. For the 73, which runs from Oakland airport to the Eastmont Transit Center and back, for example, one additional trip is being added in the morning in the Eastmont direction, while three trips to the airport are being added, giving airport workers who use the line five total trips before 7 a.m."

AC Transit will implement schedule updates on February 1 adjusting routes, frequencies, and stops. Changes include adding an hourly stop on Line 31 at Balmoral Drive and Skyline Boulevard near Skyline High School until 9 p.m., which reduces the frequency of the Chabot Space Science Center end-of-line stop. Adjustments target overcrowding on Lines 73, F, and O. Line 73 receives one additional morning trip toward Eastmont and three additional trips to the airport, providing five pre-7 a.m. trips for airport workers. Weekend service on Line 281 will end an hour earlier, and Line 19 will lose one daily trip and no longer pass through Seminary Avenue. Remaining updates are on the agency’s service update page. The agency has not confirmed whether these changes will increase overall service or ridership; current service remains around 85% of pre-pandemic levels due to revenue shortages.

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