Oakland Airport Connector Options Analysis Project Overview
August 2010
While the Quality Bus option was assessed as the most cost‐effective option in terms of cost per new ride, AGT was selected as the preferred alternative because it: •
Allowed for improved on‐time performance and reliability;
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Provided a quicker travel time than the other options and driving;
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Produced the highest ridership for the link and the greatest increase in BART ridership; and
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Assisted economic development on Hegenberger, consistent with Oakland General Plan goals and BART expansion policies, through the provision of intermediate stations.
The March 2002 FEIR/FEIS showed capital costs of $204 million for the AGT alternative. In December 2009, BART selected the Flatiron/Parsons Joint Venture to design and construct the OAC project at a total cost of $492 million, including $34 million that BART had already spent on the project. In February 2010, after investigation of a formal complaint filed by Public Advocates, on behalf of TransForm, Urban Habitat Program, and Genesis, the FTA found the project to be non‐ compliant with their requirements related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, causing FTA to revoke the $70.0 million ARRA grant. A revised funding plan was brought to the BART Board of Directors meeting in July 2010. The project was reduced to $484 million (after an $8 million reduction in contingency) with contributions from the following agencies and funding programs (4): •
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts Grant: $25.0 million
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State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): $20.7 million
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MTC/State Local Partnership Program: $20.0 million
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MTC/PTMISEA (Proposition 1B): $12.8 million
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RTIP Funding Exchange (CMIA and SHOPP): $20.0 million
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High‐Speed Passenger Train Bond: $5.4 million
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Alameda County Measure B ½ cent sales tax: $89.1 million
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Port of Oakland Passenger Facility Charges: $29.3 million
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MTC Regional Measure 1 & 2 Bridge Tolls: $146.2 million
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BART SFO Reserve Account: $10.0 million
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Debt draws: $105.7 million
The BART Board adopted the funding plan, and made award of the contract contingent on securing the FTA Small Starts grant, State STIP funds, and Port of Oakland Passenger Facility Charges.
DIFFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS STUDIES Although an improved “Quality Bus” option was analyzed by the FEIR/FEIS, none of the major planning studies to date have addressed true Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This can be attributed at least in part to a lack of information on this mode. Although freeway‐ and busway‐based express Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
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