Presented to the Senate Floor on November 18, 2010

Presented to the Senate Floor on November 18, 2010

Senate Bill #25

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Presented to the Senate floor on November 18, 2010.

Authored by: CANO

Co-authored by:Chen, T. Lee, Straw, Thongsavat

Introduced by:Thongsavat

Referred to: Internal Affairs Commission

Environmental Policy and Planning Commission

External Affairs Commission

Business and Finance Commission

Recommendation: Internal Affairs CommissionDo Pass As Amended,

7-0-0 on November 22,

2010.

Yes: Abergel, Freeman,

Hsu, Kelley, Maemura,

Mohammed-Zakir,

Pascual.

Environmental Policy and Planning CommissionDo Pass As Amended,

7-0-2 on November 23,

2010.

Yes: Callahan-Dudley,

Carstens, Link, Rin, Russo, Urrutia.

Abstain: Fresquez,

Mullarkey.

External Affairs Commission Do Pass as Amended,

8-0-1 on November 30, 2010.

Yes: Corona, Giap, Hansen, Kirshner, Lieberman, Percoco, Ozedirne, Zepeda.

Abstain: Rego.

Business and Finance CommissionDo Pass as Amended,

9-0-0 on January 18, 2011.

Yes: Barnett, Cheng, Hein, Johri, Kelley, Krashyanka, Prokic, Rudovsky, Tuttle- Santana.

Senate Bill #25

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An ASUCD Senate Bill to implement the Long-Range Plan for Unitrans.

Section 1. The ASUCD Senate hereby adopts the Long-Range Plan for Unitrans.

ASUCD LONG-RANGE PLAN

Unitrans

I. Purpose and History

Unitrans was formed by the ASUCD. Unitrans Operation began on February 28, 1968 with two RTL-type doubledecker buses that had been retired from service in London. At the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), the students sponsored a ten-week trial busing system for the purpose of bringing students from their community residences to campus. The intent was to provide an economical yet convenient alternative to other transportation modes. This experimental system gave rise to the University Transport System (Unitrans).

In 1972 Unitrans, as it became known, began operating to serve the general public, and a partnership with the City of Davis was formed. The partnership with the city has expanded and continues to this day. The system has developed expanded lines and schedules to serve a wider area of Davis and is now recognized as an integral part of the community's transportation program.

Unitrans has continued to expand service to the City of Davis. In the 1980s, the S and T lines were created, which are the only two lines that do not go to the UC Davis campus. This service primarily focuses on service to middle and high schools throughout the city.

ASUCD throughout the years has continued to support Unitrans and ran initiative fees to help fund Unitrans service in 1990, 1999 and 2003 ASUCD Elections. In the 2007 ASUCD winter election, students voted with a 22% voter turnout and 89% in support of the Unitrans fee increase. This fee increase allowed Unitrans to pay employee wages at a level that is commensurate with the California State minimum wage increase that took effect on January 1, 2007. This fee allowed Unitrans to maintain the current level of service and to continue to provide unlimited undergraduate student access to Yolobus regularly scheduled services. In addition Unitrans was able to replace and/or rebuild its fleet of aging buses according to Federal Transit Administration replacement standards, and provided advanced information technologies that enhances the riding experience for bus riders.

Unitrans continued to provide services to its riders; and In 2009 Unitrans partnered with Nextbus to provide real time location of vehicles on all of its bus lines, so riders can have accurate times for arrival for all Unitrans buses.

In 2010, Unitrans added a new line, the weekend O line, which serves the recently built Target shopping center and has bus stops near the Cuarto and Tercero dormitories. In addition, to relieve overcrowding, Unitrans purchased with state funding two new doubledecker buses, which run on MU terminal bus lines.

In the 2010-2011 school year, Unitrans expanded its Saturday service to include Sunday, which is now known as Weekend Service.

II. Personnel

CAREER POSITIONS

  • General Manager: The General Manager (GM) reports directly to the ASUCD Business Manager. The GM provides long-term direction for the organization. Responsibilities include long-term planning, funding, grant administration, city relations, and system coordination.
  • Assistant General Manager, Operations: The Assistant General Manager of Operations (AGM Operations) reports directly to the GM and provides oversight of the operations division. Responsibilities include oversight of driver hiring and retention, managing day-to-day operations, directing the training function, providing oversight of support services, conducting employee development, administering the safety and accident prevention program, and managing the drug and alcohol testing program.
  • Maintenance Manager: The Maintenance Manager reports directly to the GM and is responsible for overseeing the upkeep and repairs of all buses, efficiently managing the garage, and ensuring the proper number of buses is available for daily service.
  • Mechanics: Transit Mechanics report directly to the Maintenance Manager and are responsible for maintenance on all Unitrans machinery and equipment. This includes preventive maintenance, major engine and transmission rebuilds, and fabrication work. Transit Mechanics are generally divided into three levels, based on knowledge, skills and abilities – four (4) Heavy-Duty Technicians, one (1) Assistant Heavy-Duty Technician, and one (1) Assistant Automotive Technician.
  • Shop Storekeeper: The Shop Storekeeper reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and is responsible for overseeing the inventory at the shop and scheduling preventive maintenance. This includes ordering parts and equipment, maintaining computer system records, and coordinating with shop and student personnel. This position has a student assistant from time to time.
  • Assistant General Manager, Administrative: The Assistant General Manager of Administration (AGM Administration) reports directly to the GM and provides oversight of the administration division. Responsibilities include grant administration, marketing, management consultation, city relations, and system coordination.
  • Administrative Assistant: Currently, Unitrans employs two (2) career Administrative Assistants – one located at the shop and one at the Unitrans Business Office (UNI-1). The Administrative Assistant at the shop reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and is responsible for data entry, maintenance, and fuel records. The Administrative Assistant at UNI-1 reports directly to the AGM Administration and is responsible for pass distribution, accounts payable, and ongoing reporting required by State and Federal grant programs.
  • Safety and Training Supervisor: The Safety and Training Supervisor reports directly to the AGM Operations, and primarily performs safety and training duties. Responsibilities include supervising the Lead Assistant Driver Trainer, the Assistant Driver Trainers, the Route Trainer Manager, and the Route Trainers, overseeing DMV drive tests, overseeing and coordinating the Unitrans Behind-the-Wheel Training (BTW Training) and Route Training (RT) Programs, conducting classroom training, and handling bus accident investigation.
  • Programmer: The Programmer reports directly to the GM, and is responsible for creation, maintenance, and improvement of the various data management systems implemented by the company. The Programmer is also responsible for system maintenance on all Unitrans computers. This includes installing software, maintaining database programs, and troubleshooting computer problems.

STUDENT POSITIONS

  • Operations Manager (OM): The OM reports directly to the AGM Operations. Responsibilities include oversight of day-to-day operations, route changes and scheduling. This employee assigns duties to the Route Supervisors and Operations Assistants, and is responsible for implementation of policy for the operations division.
  • Support Service Manager: The Support Services Manager reports directly to the AGM Operations and is responsible for effectively maintaining the appearance of buses and shelters. Primary areas of concern include scheduling Support Services staff and ensuring quality control standards are maintained.
  • Human Resource Manager (HRM): The HRM reports directly to the AGM Operations. Responsibilities include hiring of all Unitrans student employees and overseeing effective employee relations. The HRM implements and enforces all policies and is responsible for necessary disciplinary action.
  • Business Office Manager (BOM): The BOM reports directly to the AGM Administration and is responsible for the supervision of the business office. This includes scheduling office personnel, ordering supplies, training and supervising office clerks, and processing customer complaints.
  • Planning Manager: The Planning Manager reports directly to the AGM Administration and is responsible for Unitrans transit planning. Primary tasks include working with the OM on route changes, analyzing data collected through the NextBus website and PDCs, and evaluation of planning proposals.
  • Marketing Manager: The Marketing Manager reports directly to the AGM Administration and is responsible for coordinating the Marketing Department. The MM directly supervises the Transit Marketing Assistants. Primary tasks include the annual production of the schedule, overseeing advertising efforts, and handling all marketing requests from other departments.
  • Payroll Manager: The Payroll Manager reports directly to the AGM Administration and is responsible for processing payroll (in coordination with the ASUCD business office). The Payroll Manager also directly supervises the Payroll Assistants. Payroll is submitted every other week.
  • Route Trainer (RT): RTs report directly to the RTM and are responsible for in-service training of all new Drivers. RTs are also responsible for refreshers and evaluating driver performance in service.
  • Route Training Manager (RTM): The RTM reports to the Safety and Training Supervisor, and is responsible for the coordination of the Unitrans RT program, and directly supervises the Route Trainers. The RTM is responsible for ensuring the high quality of the Unitrans RT Program by evaluating RTs.
  • Lead Assistant Driver Trainer (LADT): The LADT reports to the Safety and Training Supervisor, is responsible for coordinating the Unitrans BTW Training program and directly supervises the Assistant Driver Trainers. The LADT is responsible for ensuring the high quality of the Unitrans BTW Training program by evaluating ADTs and updating training as needed. The LADT is responsible for ensuring that driver evaluations are done regularly.
  • Assistant Driver Trainer (ADT): ADTs report directly to the LADT and the Safety and Training Supervisor. ADTs are responsible for behind-the-wheel training of all transit drivers, evaluating driver performance in service, updating training techniques, and performing specialized transit training.
  • Route Supervisor (RS): Route Supervisors report directly to the OM and are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of Unitrans operations. Route Supervisors ensure that Unitrans provides a safe and efficient service and a pleasant work environment for its employees. The Route Supervisor team is divided into two sections: Dispatcher and Road Supervisor.
  • Support Services Supervisor: The Support Services Supervisor reports directly to the Support Services Manager and is responsible for organizing and supervising the Support Services Assistants. The Support Services Supervisor ensures that Unitrans equipment and facilities are appropriately cleaned.
  • Outreach and Retention Coordinator (ORC): The ORC reports directly to the HRM and is responsible for actively recruiting new employees through various community outreach events, as well as coordinating with the Marketing Manager to ensure the efficacy of hiring publicity. The ORC is also responsible for coordinating employee retention programs.
  • Transit Marketing Assistant (TMA): TMAs report directly to the Marketing Manager and seek to positively promote the image of Unitrans. Responsibilities include layout and design work for the Unitrans schedule and working on public relations, advertising, and promotions.
  • Transit Planning Assistant (TPA): TPAs report directly to the Planning Manager, and are responsible for collecting passenger data, analyzing NextBus, assisting the Planning Manager in any projects including long and short range route planning and timing.
  • Operations Administrative Assistant (OAA): The OAAs report directly to the AGM Operations and are responsible for a wide variety of administrative functions including handling employee records, customer service forms, and special projects.
  • Operations Assistant (OA): The OAs report directly to the OM. In addition, the OAs may also work with the GM and AGMs on special projects, as needed.
  • Payroll Assistant: The Payroll Assistants report directly to the Payroll Manager, and are responsible for assistance processing payroll.
  • Personnel Assistant (PA): The PAs report directly to the HRM. Responsibilities include assisting the HRM with priority times, mandatory meetings, and special activities. The PAs are also responsible for the production of the Unitrans newsletter, The Wallystreet Journal.
  • Drivers: Drivers report directly to the Human Resources Manager and are responsible for the safe operation of Unitrans routes and equipment under the supervision of Route Supervisors. Other duties include providing customer relations and comfort, maintaining on-time performance, conducting DMV pre-trip checkouts, and providing accurate paperwork.
  • Conductors: Conductors report directly to the Conductor Manager and are responsible for the safe loading and unloading of Unitrans passengers on double deck buses. Other duties include providing customer service, collecting fares and answering route and schedule questions.
  • Supervisors Ops: The Supervisor Ops is responsible for overseeing daily operations.
  • Supervisors Coach Cleaners: The Coach Cleaners are responsible for overseeing that the buses are clean.
  • Support Services Assistants: SSAs report directly to the Support Services Supervisors and are responsible for maintaining the proper appearance of Unitrans buses.
  • Shop Assistants: The SA reports directly to the Transit Mechanics and is responsible for assisting the Mechanics with various vehicle and facility projects.
  • Office Clerks: The responsibilities of the office clerk located at UNI-1 include providing accurate schedule information, receiving complaints, handling computer data entry, selling passes, and greeting Unitrans employees and the general public.
  • Shop Office Clerks: The Shop Office Clerks are responsible for maintaining computer records for shop maintenance, billings, and inventory.
  • Administrative Office Clerk (AOC): The AOC’s responsibilities include computer accounting and record- keeping.

Organizational Chart

III. Operations

During the three academic quarters, Unitrans operates Regular Service. During Finals Service, Unitrans provides reduced service levels that coincide with the exam times on campus. During the summer and other low-demand periods, Unitrans operates Break Service. Unitrans also operates Weekend Service on the J-, O-, P-, Q- and W-lines. In addition, tripper buses are deployed to handle passenger load or traffic delay challenges. Below is a summary of the Unitrans routes that operate during Regular Service. Other services are described in the Unitrans annual schedule.

  • A-line: A Silo Terminal line that services Downtown, 5th Street, Alhambra Drive and Mace Boulevard. It provides service twice an hour during the day, however, due to high passenger loads, two additional buses are deployed to handle the extra passengers on the “inner” portion of the route (also known as the A-Limited) – providing four times/hour service.
  • B-line: A Memorial Union (MU) Terminal line that serves the University Mall, Oxford Circle dorms, Castillian Dorms, and Willett Elementary. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • C-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves the Activities and Recreations Center (ARC), University Mall, and Cuarto dorms. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • D-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves Westlake Plaza, Emerson Junior High, Health Sciences District, and the ARC. Service is provided four times per hour.
  • E-line: An MU Terminal line that serves Central Park, Davis Food Co-op, Community Park, and Holmes Junior High School. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • F-line: An MU Terminal line that serves Davis High School and Anderson Plaza. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • G-line: An MU Terminal line that serves the University Mall, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Anderson Plaza, and the Marketplace. Service is provided four times per hour.
  • H-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves the Health Sciences District. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • J-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves the ARC, University Mall, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Anderson Plaza, the Marketplace and North Sycamore. Service is provided four times per hour.
  • K-line: An MU Terminal line that serves the University Mall, Oxford Circle Dorms, Westlake Plaza, and Emerson Junior High School. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • L-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves Central Park, City Hall, the Senior Center, Davis Food Co-op, Davis Manor Shopping Center, and Oaktree Plaza. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • M-line: An MU Terminal line that serves City Hall, the DMV, the Post Office, Playfields Park, Oakshade Center, Research Park, and Central Park. Service is provided four times per hour.
  • O-line: A Silo Terminal line that operates hourly only on the weekends. This line serves Downtown Davis, Fifth Street, the Target Shopping Center and the Cuarto dorms.
  • P-line: An MU Terminal line that runs counterclockwise along the Davis perimeter. This line serves many shopping centers, senior residential areas, recreational areas, public facilities, medical areas, and the Target shopping center. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • Q-line: An MU Terminal line that runs clockwise along the Davis perimeter. This line serves many shopping centers areas, senior residential areas, recreational areas, public facilities, medical areas, and the Target shopping center. Service is provided twice hourly.
  • S-line: A bus line that operates twice in the morning and once in the afternoon only when Davis Joint Unified School District classes are in session. This line travels from Mace Blvd. and Chiles Rd., to South Davis, El Macero, to Holmes Junior High School and Harper Junior High School.
  • T-line: A bus line that operates once in the morning and once in the afternoon only when Davis Joint Unified School District classes are in session. This bus line services Davis High School, and travels down roads not covered by the P and Q lines.
  • W-line: A Silo Terminal line that serves the Davis Commons, the Research Park, Oakshade Plaza, and Montgomery Elementary School. Service is provided four times per hour.
  • Weekend Service: The J-, O-, P-, Q- and W-lines operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

Future Plans