Alameda CTC Weighs Pass-Free Future as Student Transit Costs Climb

Commission • Alameda County Transportation CommissionOctober 22, 2026

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Alameda County's free student bus pass now reaches 32,000 students, but only about a third of pass holders ride monthly, and administrative labor has run as high as 30% of program costs. At its Oct. 22, 2026, meeting, the Alameda County Transportation Commission heard the findings and pointed staff toward a strategic plan that could shift the program to default or pass-free models. Commissioners also unanimously awarded an $8.44M contract for San Pablo Avenue bike improvements, while Oakland residents turned out in force to defend the I-580 big-rig ban.

Student Transit Pass rides tripled to 2.17 million, but about 30,000 eligible students still lack a pass
Admin labor costs hit up to 30%, far above the original 5% to 8% target; staff will study passless models
$8.44M San Pablo Avenue bike contract awarded 19-0, the first corridor project to reach construction
Eight Oakland-area residents urged keeping the I-580 truck ban, citing a petition with nearly 7,500 signers

Student Pass Growth Brings a Cost Reckoning

The basics: The Student Transit Pass Program grew out of the Measure BB expenditure plan. It offers unlimited free rides on AC Transit, Union City Transit and Wheels, plus 50% off BART. It runs a free universal model at 107 schools and a means-based model at 56.

Why it matters: Measure BB dollars are finite, and rising costs will force choices about who gets access and how the program is run.

Where things stand: From 2019 to 2025, participation more than doubled and rides tripled to 2.17 million. The participation rate sits at 51%. Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and New Haven districts moved to the universal model this year. Students cited not needing the bus, safety and difficulty navigating transit as barriers to riding more.

Staff framed the cost problem bluntly. "Labor costs have also run as high as 30%, well above the commission's original 5 to 8% target," said Michael Kinsungi, Associate Program Analyst and Program Manager, Student Transit Pass Program. He tied the overhead to individual registration, card production and coordination.

Most of the cost growth, however, reflects ridership. Alameda CTC pays AC Transit and other operators per tapped ride at negotiated rates. "A significant portion of the cost increase is just the additional trips that we are paying for," said Alameda CTC staff member Carolyn.

Peer lessons: Staff reviewed seven agencies, including King County Metro, SFMTA, LA Metro and Sac RT. None requires school-based card registration. Pass-free models cut labor but sacrifice data. King County, for example, estimates youth ridership at about 10% for funding reports.

When Commissioner Joel B. Young asked about switching models, Carolyn answered: "So passless is definitely something we will be looking into." She said reimbursing operators under that approach would likely rely on estimates.

Commissioner ideas: Commissioners offered a long wish list.

Commissioner Bowen backed a default pass, field-trip benefits, a transit training day and deeper BART subsidies: "I really like the idea of us exploring a default pass, especially for universal model districts."
Commissioner Melissa Hernandez noted that BART has limited ability to discount fares.
Commissioner Rowena Brown pushed for younger riders: "I hope that we can continue to explore that, even if it's just expanded to maybe 3rd graders."
Commissioner Mark Salinas proposed school pop-ups and student ID integration. "All we need to do is get them on the bus 2 or 3 times, and then they start riding it," he said, before challenging Hayward to outpace Pleasanton.
Commissioner Matthew Solomon suggested academic research on rider behavior.
Commissioner Nate Miley asked about long-term mode shift. Kinsungi said staff want to expand communications and support for students after they leave the program.

The other side: Staff had proposed free youth transit and universal conversion, but transit operators raised concerns. Those options were deferred to the strategic plan.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: This was an information item, with no vote and no public comment. The outcome matters most to students in means-based districts, the 30,000 eligible students without passes, and operators paid per ride.

What's next: Strategic plan recommendations are expected in late spring 2027.

Oakland Residents Line Up to Defend I-580 Truck Ban

Why it matters: All eight people who spoke during general public comment opposed lifting the I-580 big-rig ban. Their coordinated turnout signals organized resistance as the study heads toward a final report.

Where things stand: Terry Galvan Lee read a letter from colleague Wendy Silvani. It described a No Big Rigs 580 petition with nearly 7,500 signers from Oakland, San Leandro, Ashland, Cherryland, the Tri-Valley and Hayward. Jim Maxood, an Oakland resident, said the preliminary study shows that lifting the ban makes the problem worse.

Charles Schwartz, a Trestle Glen resident, called the effort a "scam and a con job." He set trucking-industry economic interests against the schools, hospitals and residents along the corridor.

Several speakers challenged the study's methods:

Judy Cain disputed claims of poor air quality in East and West Oakland, citing 64 Purple Air monitors installed for the study.
Diane Russell urged scrutiny of the consultant's models. She said noise was studied for one hour and some findings may not be statistically significant.
Dawn Chesney, a Sheffield Village resident involved for 27 years who helped secure the state law in 1999 and 2000, asked how much I-880 pollution comes from the Port of Oakland and the airport rather than trucks.

Susan Gilkey, who lives within 700 feet of I-580, spoke for young families who don't want their children to suffer what has happened along I-880. Elizabeth Hazley of Crocker Highlands said the dense corridor, home to Highland Hospital and schools, was not built for big rigs. She urged alternatives such as working with Amtrak.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The commission took no action, and two written comments were also received. No speaker argued for lifting the ban, so the case for it went unheard at this meeting. The debate pits I-580-adjacent neighborhoods against the stated aim of easing burdens along I-880.

What's next: Opponents are focused on the study's final report. Residents can press questions on noise, air monitoring and port emissions before it lands.

San Pablo Bike Contract Clears Unanimously, Under Estimate

Why it matters: San Pablo Avenue is a high-injury route and AC Transit's second-highest ridership corridor. This is the first of three projects in Alameda CTC's corridor plan to reach construction.

Where things stand: The parallel bike project spans Albany, Berkeley, North Oakland and Emeryville. It adds diverters, traffic circles, flashing beacons, pedestrian signals, ADA curb ramps, speed tables, daylighting, wayfinding and repaving to create continuous bike boulevard routes.

The contract was advertised Aug. 10, and bids opened Sept. 21. "We received 8 bids with several coming in below the engineer's estimate," said staff member Matthew Bomberg. No bids were protested. Funding sits in the FY26-27 budget, and staff found no Levine Act conflicts. The Levine Act is the state law restricting campaign contributions tied to contract decisions.

The questions: Commissioner Salinas asked about a roughly $1 million gap between the low and second bids. Staff member Mike Chan traced it mainly to time-related overhead costs. "The Spicetto, the low bidder, is a relatively smaller contractor," Chan said, meaning it carries less home-office overhead.

Commissioner Conna McCarthy asked what happens to savings below the grant amount. Staff said the funds remain with Alameda CTC. "It's a very good bidding environment right now," said Executive Director Tony Tavares.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Commissioner Nikki Fortunato Bas, part of whose district the project serves, moved approval, and Salinas seconded. No one spoke during public comment. The motion passed (For: 19, Against: 0, Absent: 3, with Commissioners Terry Taplin, Preston Jordan and Sherry Hu absent). Cyclists and pedestrians in the four cities gain safer routes, and the agency keeps the savings for other uses.

What's next: Fieldwork will likely start in early 2027 and run 270 working days. Caltrans will advertise the separate San Pablo Safety Enhancements project, with bids expected in early December.

Consent calendar passed 19-0 with three absent. It adopts the 2026 Countywide Transportation Plan and the Mobility Needs Assessment for Older Adults and People with Disabilities, and advances One Bay Area Grant Cycle 4 and CARE nominations.
Alameda CTC earned its 13th consecutive Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
East Bay Greenway broke ground in San Leandro. Tavares said construction on the Oakland North segment is hoped to begin in early 2027.
One commissioner sought a briefing on advisory and watchdog committee priorities as the commission fills vacancies.

Looking ahead: The commission's final 2026 meeting is Thursday, Dec. 10. It will combine November and December business and recognize outgoing commissioners.

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