University West Bus Stops

The University West Bus Stops and Safety Project will upgrade four AC Transit bus stops at Acton Street and Bonar Street intersections of University Avenue. Improvements such as new bus shelters, improved boarding areas, and street repair will make it safer, easier, and more comfortable to take public transit, and supports policies laid out in the City's General Plan Transportation Element.

The project will upgrade four existing bus stops at the following locations:

1. University Avenue at Acton Street – Eastbound
2. University Avenue at Acton Street – Westbound
3. University Avenue at Bonar Street – Eastbound
4. University Avenue at Bonar Street - Westbound

The project scope includes new bus shelters, pedestrian bulb-outs, bus bulbs, bus pads, curb ramps, localized pavement repair, striping, and traffic signal improvements. The new bus shelters will also include solar-powered lighting, seating, and a transit map for the waiting area.

Project background

This project supports the policies and actions of the City of Berkeley General Plan Transportation Element by making transit more convenient, dependable, and attractive, and by reducing the number of automobile trips in Berkeley as a result of increased transit use and alternative modes of transportation.

The Transportation Element identifies the network of streets that necessitate efficient and effective transit services throughout the city. These streets are the highest priority for transit improvements, such as bus bulbs and bus shelters. In cases where a major street is identified as a Primary Transit Route, improvements are designed to prioritize the movement of public transportation vehicles through the corridor, increase transit use, and promote alternative modes of travel which help reduce the number of automobile trips along the corridor.

The University West Bus Stops Project supports the following General Plan Transportation Element policies:

• Policy T-2, Public Transportation Improvements
  1. Expand service and reduce waiting time and transfer times for people who have to use more than one bus to get to their destination.
  2. Increase east-west cross-town service.
  3. Implement improvements to make transit more convenient, dependable, and attractive, such as benches at bus stops, transit shelters, information kiosks, and signs.
• Policy T-4, Transit-First Policy
  1. Give priority to alternative transportation and transit over single-occupant vehicles on Transit Routes identified on the Transit Network map.
• Policy T-10, Trip Reduction
  1. Increase transit use and alternative modes in Berkeley, support, and when appropriate require, programs to encourage Berkeley citizens and commuters to reduce automobile trips.
• Policy T-29, Infrastructure Improvements
  1. Speed public transportation throughout the city by making improvements to the existing physical infrastructure.
• Policy T-48, Pedestrian Plan
  1. The Berkeley Pedestrian Plan was adopted by Council in 2020 and identifies corner sidewalk extensions (bulbouts) at the University Avenue / Acton Street intersection as High-Priority Project #5 (pages 6-24 to 6-25), and also identifies the University Avenue / Bonar Street intersection, where bulbouts are also proposed, as a high-priority intersection (intersection #66 on page 6-14).
• Policy T-52, Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility
  1. Provide safe and convenient pedestrian crossings throughout the city. 

Project funding

The project is funded by a $550,000 Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant allocation with supplemental funding made available through Alameda County Measure B and Measure BB Local Streets and Roads programs.

The AHSC Program is a competitive state funding program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by funding compact affordable housing in conjunction with sustainable transportation improvements. The Program provides funding for affordable housing development and related infrastructure, as well as transportation-related amenities, and programs that encourage residents to walk, bike and use transit.