AC Transit set to vote on service to schools

Every weekday, dozens of AC Transit buses carry hundreds of Oakland students to three schools in the hills — expensive supplementary routes that the transportation agency says the school district should help pay for.

After months of fruitless negotiations, the AC Transit board is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to continue the service to Skyline High, Montera Middle and Community Day schools, or eliminate the bus routes after this academic year.

For 20 years, Oakland Unified had been paying AC Transit $2.25 million annually to help cover the costs of the bus service, but it abruptly cut off payments in January. District officials argue that other districts and private schools that receive similar service aren’t paying anything.

AC Transit officials, meanwhile, say that the agency spends $10 million a year to provide supplemental rides to schools across the East Bay and that those three hills schools cost $3 million by themselves.

District and agency officials have tried to work out a solution to reduce costs and keep the buses running. But without a deal, the AC Transit board decided it needs to make a decision now so that parents and students know in advance what routes will be available when school starts in the fall.

The AC Transit board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the AC Transit general offices, second-floor board room, 1600 Franklin St., Oakland.