AC Transit is looking ahead to one of its largest service enhancements and most extensive service redesigns. Now in the final stages of review and refinement, the proposed Service Expansion Plan (SEP) would increase local service by up to 14 percent and significantly improve reliability and connections.

The SEP has grown out of a year of extensive staff work and three rounds of public input, including more than 70 public meetings and workshops. Improvements in Alameda County will be funded largely by Measure BB, the county transportation sales tax passed by voters in 2014. Improvements in Contra Costa County will be funded when new sources become available.

Included in the final proposal are route changes to 30 existing lines and the creation of some 28 new lines; a “Frequent Network” of 15 lines with 15-minute frequency or better; the upgrade of 13 other lines to 20-minute or 30-minute frequency; and the expansion of weekend service on 26 lines.

“The welcome infusion of new funding from Measure BB—coupled with state-of-the-art planning tools and critical input from our riders—means that we can now significantly enhance service for current riders and also attract thousands of new customers to public transit,” said Service Planning Director Robert del Rosario, who leads the team of planners crafting the SEP.

Approval of a final plan is expected in January. Implementation will occur in phases, starting in June. Full line-by-line details on the proposed plan are available at actransit.org/SEP.