Waiting for a bus in downtown Vallejo could get safer and more comfortable under the city's plans to build a new transfer station.

Station may make long wait for bus bearable

Public can offer comments on plans for transfer center

By SARAH ROHRS

Article Launched: 11/13/2007 08:24:20 AM PST

Times-Herald staff writer

Waiting for a bus in downtown Vallejo could get safer and more comfortable under the city's plans to build a new transfer station.

Vallejo Transit bus riders and others can offer public comments on the new bus transfer center at a workshop 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday night at the Florence Douglas Senior Center.

If you go

What: Vallejo Bus Transit Center Project Community Workshop
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday
Where: Florence Douglas Senior Center, 333 Amador St. Vallejo.

A new bus transfer center at York and Santa Clara streets is meant to get buses off the streets and move them away from the current transfer center at York and Marin streets which could house a downtown development project.

A downtown bus transfer center is part of the city's waterfront master plan, which seeks to create a "transit village" in the downtown and waterfront areas. Another waterfront plan element is the 3-story Vallejo Station, a parking and commercial structure near Santa Clara and Maine streets.

Public works director Gary Leach said the city has begun the design phase of the new bus transfer center. In September, the City Council awarded a $817,910 design contract which will be paid with state transportation and other government funds.

"We've hired a design engineer to design it and are setting up public meetings to go over the design features the residents and businesses might want as part of that transfer station," Leach said.

The current downtown bus transfer station is not considered ideal for either buses or riders. City staff note that buses park on the street and block traffic, and riders have no bus shelters or other amenities. Riders often need to cross busy streets to make bus connections.

The new transfer center will move the buses closer to the ferry building, and will consolidate buses into a smaller area with better lighting and security, he said.

At Thursday's workshop, city staff will give a power point presentation on design options, and well as some amenities which could be part of the project.

The Florence Douglas Senior Center is accessible by Vallejo Transit routes 4,5 and 7. Because bus service stops at 8 p.m., shuttle service will be provided at the end of the meeting.

• Contact Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or 553-6832.

The new transfer center will:

• be located at York and Santa Clara streets • be part of city's waterfront master plan to create a 'transit village' • move buses closer to the ferry building • consolidate buses into smaller area with better lighting and security