SamTrans Seeks Input on South City Route Changes

At a regular South San Francisco City Council meeting Wednesday evening, Aiden Hughes of SamTrans presented on proposed changes to current routes. Hughes said that the organization is undergoing its first comprehensive review of routes in 10 years.

"We have to balance winners and losers in this round of proposals," he said. "We want to hear from the communities about our recommendations."

Two of four routes SamTrans is proposing to discontinue will affect South San Francisco riders. Route 132, for instance, is a candidate for being cut, and weekend El Camino routes are likely to see a long-term increase in frequency. Route 123 is also proposed to be cut because of low ridership.

An open community meeting on the proposals took place in San Bruno Thursday Oct. 11, and SamTrans will hold another workshop Oct. 23 in Daly City at 6655 Mission St. at 6pm.

Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto encouraged SamTrans riders to give input on the proposed changes.

"There are a lot of human factors, especially when it comes to schools," she said. "This is the stuff that has to be relayed to us.... I know that when we were going to cut service on the coast, half of Half Moon Bay showed up."

Hughes said that ridership is gradually declining and SamTrans is facing a structural deficit and debt obligations to BART. The organization plans to eliminate routes that have low ridership and improve and increase routes that are doing well.

Riders are welcome to email or call SamTrans to voice concerns: ssp@samtrans.com, 650-508-6338.

There is a possibility of a community workshop in South San Francisco this fall; stay tuned for more information.

Also at Wednesday's City Council meeting:

Council approved awarding a construction contract to American Asphalt Repair & Resurfacing for the Paradise Valley Pocket Park Project for $313,866, and also to accept a state grant for the project for $291,350.

The item passed, but councilmember Mark Addiego did not vote to approve the funding plan for the project because it uses gas tax money rather than park in lieu fees. Public Works presenters explained that park in lieu fees were freed up for other purposes once the grant was awarded. Addiego was concerned that gas tax funds should be used for other city needs, such as improving streets.

• A proclamation of this week as Fire Prevention Week 2012 was presented. The theme for the week is “Have 2 Ways Out.” 

• A proclamation for October as Filipino American History Month was presented.

• The council approved acceptance of a $7,667 grant from California Library Literacy Services to help fund ongoing local efforts for the state program Families for Literacy.

• Council approved acceptance of a $90,000 grant from San Mateo County Safe Routes to School program, which promotes safety and air quality through reducing vehicle trips to schools. The grant is to help South City’s Parks and Recreation Department implement before and after school programs at South San Francisco Unified schools including Buri Buri, Ponderosa, Monte Verde, Spruce, Los Cerritos and Martin.

• Council adopted a resolution to award the Stonegate Tennis Court Replacement Project to Mountain View-based Saviano Company. The project will include resurfacing the two existing courts, replacing the nets and fence and installing a root barriar on the western edge of the courts to prevent root intrusion.

• Council awarded a bike lane project contract to San Jose-based Granite Rock Company dba Pavex Construction Division. According to a staff report, the project will install 4.5 miles of bike lanes and signage in various parts of the city. A grant from the Regional Bicycle Program through the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County will fund this project.

Get more news and sign up for our daily newsletter |  Like South City Patch on Facebook | Follow South City Patch on Twitter | Blog for South City Patch