Piedmont student urges council to press AC Transit to restore Upper Piedmont service

Tung Le, a Piedmont High School student, told the City Council during public forum that a recent AC Transit network realignment removed service to Upper Piedmont via Hampton and that riders who used that route now have diminished access to school and other destinations.

"As of 1 to 2 weeks ago, AC Transit has recently realigned the majority of its network ... the 33, which is now the 88, has been changed to no longer have any service to Upper Piedmont," Tung said, asking the city to press for restoration of service or other remedies.

Vice Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) responded that the city and the president of the Board of Trustees for the school district were working with AC Transit staff. The vice mayor invited Tung to leave his name with the city clerk and indicated the council hoped to bring a group of high school students to give public testimony at AC Transit's September board meeting.

Council members did not take formal action but indicated staff and elected officials will follow up with AC Transit and the school district to coordinate student participation in the transit board process.

Why it matters: students and families who rely on bus service for school commutes can be affected by network changes. The council indicated a willingness to support student testimony before AC Transit and to raise the issue with the transit agency.

Next steps: the vice mayor asked the student to provide contact information to the city clerk so staff can coordinate student attendance for AC Transit testimony; the council will continue contact with AC Transit and the school board.