TransLink for Transit-Oriented Developments

Popular TransLink Pilot Program Features Free Rides

Sometimes you really can get something for nothing.

When MTC and AC Transit teamed up to offer residents of select transit-oriented development complexes unlimited free travel on AC Transit’s local and transbay buses, MTC’s reporters and photographers went on assignment to cover the events. Residents of hand-picked properties situated close to bus lines filled out forms and had their pictures taken prior to being issued the TransLink® passes featuring the holder’s photo.

The TransLink passes are part of a pilot program to introduce more people to transit and learn more about transit-oriented-development residents’ travel patterns. Read on to see what the free passes will mean to residents of El Cerrito, Emeryville, Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro.

TransLink for TOD Sign-Ups at The Village at Town Center, El Cerrito
Saturday, June 21, 2008

Interviews by Paisley Strellis

Chester Wong

Chester Wong has been taking transit two or three times a month, but says he will probably take it more often now that he has the use of the TransLink card. Retired and living on a fixed income, he is looking forward to exploring the area. “I’m going to go to Jack London Square, museums and Lake Merritt with my new pass,” he said.

Ja Young Hwang

“I’m going to use the bus to go meet my husband in Berkeley more often,” said Ja Young Hwang, who is a housewife. “Also to go shopping. I lived in Berkeley for eight years and moved to El Cerrito six months ago. This will definitely encourage me to go out more.”

David Hwang

“I definitely chose to live here because of the proximity to public transportation,” said David Hwang, a mechanical engineering professor at U.C. Berkeley. “As a student at Cal, I could get a class pass for AC Transit, which was pretty good, but as a professor the Bear Pass isn’t that cheap. I will save about $30-$35 a month on my bus pass.” In addition, Mr. Hwang said when he takes the bus he can save on parking, which costs about $500 a semester.

Regina Shipman

Regina Shipman, a recovery counselor for teens, said that the TransLink pass is going to make a major difference in her budget. “I will definitely be using this to get to work,” she said. “The closeness to transit was a major selling point of moving here. I’m not a driver and I’ve never owned a car, so this is what I need.”

Fareedah Sadree

“I use AC Transit to get around to Berkeley and Oakland, to go to church, shopping and to the doctor,” said Fareedah Sadress, a business systems consultant. “I moved here so I could be closer to BART, which I use to get to work. I do get a transit discount by buying my BART tickets through work with my pre-tax dollars, but this is going to get me to ride the bus a lot more. I don’t know if I’ll use the transbay bus, but I may try it.”

Sean Bupara

Sean Bupara brought his four-year-old daughter, Zara, along when he signed up for the free TransLink pass. “I definitely moved here because it meant I’d be close to transit,” he said. “Between parking and gas, I’m paying over $100 a month to get to and from work. I think I’ll probably put the savings towards our grocery budget.” Sean is a research assistant at U.C. Berkeley.

Christine Gauthier

“I’ve never taken AC Transit to work, but now I’m definitely going to,” said Christine Gauthier, who works for Network Security. “I’ve lived here for two years. Transit is not one of the reasons that I chose to live here, but I’m excited to try it now.”

Quotes from TransLink Sign-Ups at Avalon Senior Housing in Emeryville
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Interviews by Georgia Lambert

Sonora Clark

“This will mean a big savings,” said Sonora Clark, who has lived in the Avalon Senior Housing development for about three years. “I’m on a fixed income, and take the bus about twice a day to go shopping, visiting, to the doctor or for prescriptions. This will save me about $4 a day.” Now retired, she was a service representative for Pacific Bell for 36 years.

Jean and Chester Fong

“We ride on bus every day,” said Chester Fong, “sometimes six or seven times a day.”

“We go everywhere – exercise classes, the bus station – we don’t drive,” his wife, Jean Fong, said.

Retired since 1995, Mr. Fong worked in a photo shop, and Mrs. Fong worked as a home-care nurse’s aide. They have been spending $28 each per month for senior bus passes. With the money they’ll save, Mr. and Mrs. Fong said they would buy food, or use it to pay the rent. “Every penny helps to save,” he said.

Ulysses Crockett, Jr.

Although he was seriously injured in an automobile accident in 1994 and uses a wheelchair and crutches to get around, that hasn’t stopped Ulysses Crockett, Jr. from using public transit. Having a TransLink bus pass will mean significant savings to him. “I’m semi-retired,” he said, “and I ride the bus all the time with my paralegal activities – to the courthouse, the clinic and everywhere.”

A former law professor, he said that he works part-time helping seniors and people on welfare with tax work and other needs. Mr. Crockett plans to take his son out to lunch with the money he will be saving.

Wilson Pho

Wilson Pho is the financial services coordinator of the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (the Avalon’s property management firm). What does having a TransLink pass mean to him?

“I’ve been using CarShare but now I can take the bus. I’ll be encouraging others to take public transit, too.”

Francesca Dinelasan

Francesca Dinelasan is a program associate for the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation. She said she will be using the TransLink card to get to work.

“It’s hard to have small bills and the right change,” she said. “It will really help me out not to have to worry about that or stop at the store before I get on the bus. Plus I can help our residents learn to use the bus.”

With the savings of $70 a month, Ms. Dinelasan, the mother of both an infant and a toddler, said she would be buying more diapers.

Quotes from TransLink for TOD Sign-Ups at Amistad House, Berkeley
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Interviews by Paisley Strellis

Curtis L. Estes

“This is going to make a big difference in my budget,” said Curtis Estes, who is retired. “I’m studying for my real estate license at Merritt College with my son. He's in real estate, so I thought it would be nice to familiarize myself with the system. I'm taking the test next month. I also take the bus to Oakland regularly. And I'll use it to go to the community garden where I volunteer.”

Nettie Chopko

“I use the bus to go shopping, but I also just like to ride the bus,” said Nettie Chopko, who is also retired. “That for me is entertainment. I like to take it to downtown Oakland and go to the store with the big newsstand. I ride down there, read magazines for a while, and come back. I've lived in the Bay Area for 28 years. I love exploring it still.”

Ramona Arellano

Ramona Arellano, a volunteer for Axis Dance, Piedmont Yoga Studio and Access Northern California, said, “I'll definitely use this to get around. I already use public transportation for 90% of my getting around, but the money I save will probably go to gas for the other 10% since it’s so expensive now. I have been in the Bay Area for 18 years and moved here for accessibility. I'm really excited about this program.”