My precise view

Enhancing Safety on Franklin Street

2023-09-13T23:46:00.001+05:30

Enhancing Safety on Franklin Street
By Mark Dreger

We're excited to share an update on the Franklin Street Quick-Build Project, an effort to enhance traffic safety on Franklin Street between Broadway and Lombard Streets. This roadway stretch was the site of 38 collisions between 2017 and 2021, including the tragic loss of a Sherman Elementary School paraeducator in November 2021. Our data-driven approach focuses on several key safety improvements, and we are ready to share the evaluation results and the next steps to bring further safety changes to Franklin Street.

The project includes the implementation of a suite of safety measures focused on the intersections where neighborhood stakeholders expressed most concerns during the outreach process.

Painted safety zones (PSZs) have been installed to increase pedestrian visibility at crosswalks by keeping the corners of intersections clear.

Slow-turn wedges have been added to encourage drivers to turn at safer speeds and at angles that make people crossing more visible.
Daylighting, or removing parking spaces next to intersections, was used to keep areas near crossings clear. This ensures that parked cars don’t prevent drivers and pedestrians from seeing each other.
Right-turn-on-red restrictions have been applied to keep crosswalks clear and minimize conflicts between people driving and walking.

A slow-turn wedge at the intersection of Franklin and Broadway implemented as part of the Franklin Street Quick-Build Project.

The initial results offer some signs of progress:

Reduced close calls: After implementation, there were no recorded 'close calls' between people driving and people walking in crosswalks, compared to three such incidents before.

Right-turn compliance: Drivers complied with the new right-turn restrictions 94% of the time, indicating that drivers are adhering to the new rules.

However, there are areas where the project did not yield significant changes:

Driver yielding rates: Drivers yielded to pedestrians 60% of the time after these changes were implemented, as opposed to 61% before.
Vehicle speeds: Both turning and mid-block speeds remained largely unaffected by the changes. Turning speeds are holding at approximately 10-11 mph, which is below the 15-mph safety threshold set by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and mid-block speeds remain slightly above the 25-mph speed limit.

What's Next

While the project did improve intersection safety, it was not effective at reducing speeds along Franklin Street. The corridor is on the Vision Zero High-Injury Network – the 12% of streets that account for 68% of severe and fatal traffic collisions. So, in line with our commitment to Vision Zero, we’re taking the following steps to further increase safety on Franklin Street.

Road diet: We plan to reduce Franklin from three lanes to two between Broadway and Lombard Street. This lane reduction should reduce mid-block speeds. People driving more slowly are more likely to see people crossing the street and have time to yield to them.

Enhanced intersection designs between Market Street and Broadway: The remainder of Franklin Street from Market Street to Broadway will see enhanced intersection designs using the Quick-Build Toolkit — including painted safety zones, slow-turn wedges and daylighting — creating a uniformly safer walking experience along the corridor.

Long-term projects: Our team is brainstorming how to incorporate more significant changes with future projects on and around Franklin Street.

Improving traffic safety is an evolving process and we're committed to making Franklin Street safe and accessible for everyone. While the project has made some headway, it's clear that more work is needed. We appreciate the community's ongoing involvement and look forward to your continued support as we embark on the next steps.

For more information on the Franklin Street Quick-Build Project, please visit our project website (SFMTA.com/FranklinQB) or contact our project team by email at FranklinQB@sfmta.com.

Published September 13, 2023 at 10:37PM
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Transit Month is Taking Over the Bay Area

2023-09-13T00:46:00.001+05:30

Transit Month is Taking Over the Bay Area
By

Guest Authors Rebecca Gibian and Reanne Lacosta, San Francisco Transit Riders

Transit Month 2023 is a celebration of the role of public transportation in our communities and the Bay Area’s economic, social and cultural vibrancy. In the span of just eight years, it has grown from Transit Day into Transit Week and into the robust month it is now, thanks to our partnership with Seamless Bay Area and other transit-focused agencies and organizations. Together we have reached hundreds of riders through events held across the city.

We love seeing people get on transit and enjoy themselves, the ride and the experience. We appreciate that Transit Month encourages people to take a trip they never have or try a new line. We love seeing the shift that happens when people take the bus or train, realize how easy and affordable it is and then continue to do so (and tell their friends)!

Transit Month is a time to show our support for the people who ride public transit, as well as all the drivers, mechanics and others who make the service possible every day. It is so much fun to come together as riders and lift each other, empower new riders to get on the bus and celebrate all that makes our city great. Over the years we’ve seen amazing events including Transit Hubs, a ride-along with CEOs from multiple transit agencies, a Ride Contest that logged over 3,000 rides last year, an attempt to ride all 27 agencies in one day, ride-alongs, rallies with elected officials and so much more.

Riders rally in support of Transit Month at San Francisco City Hall in September 2023.

It’s no secret that the past few years have been hard on transit. We secured some funding for transit operations in the state budget recently, but it’s not enough. That’s why we need to uplift transit throughout September and highlight how it keeps our city equitable, equal and fun. Public transit is also a key platform to exercise our democratic rights in the city. Riders in San Francisco have used their political power to make sure that transit needs are prioritized, and Transit Month is dedicated to these efforts. It is more important than ever that we show our elected leaders how important transit is to our city, and that we need to continue funding it.

Everyone in our city deserves access to affordable, efficient, equitable and fast transit. Events like Transit Month help us come together as a community, raise awareness about what needs to be done, and celebrate the big wins we’ve had as a city over the years.

You can check out all our events at the Transit Month website, and sign up for our Ride Contest for the chance to win prizes just for riding transit! See you on the bus!

San Francisco Transit Riders (SFTR) is dedicated to raising the rider’s voice to improve access to public transit in San Francisco and to reduce the city’s reliance on fossil fuels. We are fighting for an excellent, affordable and growing public transit system. We need great service that connects all neighborhoods. We need transit that provides equitable access to resources, opportunities, and each other.

SFTR works within a broader ecosystem of advocates, non-profits, city and county officials, and policymakers who are engaged in advancing transportation priorities in the city and region. We’re fighting for a public transit system that can live up to its potential and serve us all.

Published September 12, 2023 at 11:58PM
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Taken with Transportation Podcast: Connecting Community to Transit

2023-09-12T01:46:00.001+05:30

Taken with Transportation Podcast: Connecting Community to Transit
By

The Bayview Community Shuttle is intended to help residents connect more easily with transit lines that serve Bayview-Hunters Point, such as the 54 Felton and T-Third.

Accessing public transit can be more difficult for people in one particular San Francisco neighborhood than it is in other parts of the city. So we are designing a supplemental transportation program for this area, the Bayview Community Shuttle.

You can learn more in the latest episode of the SFMTA podcast, Taken with Transportation. Host Melissa Culross talks with SFMTA Transportation Planner Christopher Kidd, San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton, Bayview-Hunters Point Community Advocates Environmental Justice Director Dalila Adofo, SFMTA Planning Director Maia Small and neighborhood residents about the shuttle, which is expected to begin running in Bayview-Hunters Point in 2024.

Christopher Kidd is the planner in charge of the shuttle program, and he discusses its development and design, which includes extensive community outreach. “We want to make sure that this is a service where it’s effective,” he says. “And also, we really want to make sure this is a service that is complementing our transit service already and helping connect people to rapid transit and regional transit to help them make trips more effectively on transit so they don’t have to drive.”

The podcast episode also explores why Bayview-Hunters Point, specifically, will benefit from this type of service through the conversations Culross has with Supervisor Walton, Small, Adofo and neighborhood residents.

“A lot of people [in the neighborhood] are driving because they have to get to work, because they have to get their children to school, because they have to do their daily activities,” Walton says. “And most certainly being in the southeast sector of San Francisco, we don’t always have the fastest and most adequate transportation.”

“We’re really responding to a particular neighborhood and a history in that neighborhood,” adds Small. “There were really big economic and land use challenges that have gone back many, many, many generations. So we want to make sure that we’re using transportation and mobility as a way to serve them while that’s slowly changing.”

The shuttle is funded through the spring of 2026 by a grant from the California Air Resources Board. You can hear the entire episode at our podcast page (SFMTA.com/Podcast), Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen. Our Bayview Community Shuttle website (SFMTA.com/BayviewShuttle) offers an up-to-date list of community outreach events, as well as a survey you can take to help us develop the service.

Published September 12, 2023 at 12:23AM
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MTA Board of Directors Welcomes Lydia So

2023-09-02T00:44:00.001+05:30

MTA Board of Directors Welcomes Lydia So
By Stephen Chun

Lydia So, a championed public servant, advocate for the AAPI community and an accomplished urban planner, designer and architect, has joined the SFMTA’s Board of Directors. She was appointed in June 2023 and sworn in by Mayor London Breed on Aug. 23, 2023, at Central Subway’s Chinatown Rose Pak Station, in line with her personal connection with the Chinatown community.

So was born in Hong Kong and is fluent in Chinese (Cantonese). She is the founder of the architecture firm SOLYD Architecture, Management and Design. She is a former Historic Preservation Commissioner for the San Francisco Planning Department where she voted in favor of the Potrero Yard Modernization Project that is expected to bring hundreds of housing units to our city while maintaining the functions of the SFMTA. She was the first Chinese American Historic Preservation Commissioner, implemented the Planning Department’s Racial and Social Equity policy and oversaw a citywide survey on neighborhood streetscapes and buildings.

So served on the San Francisco Arts Commission and provided a vision for city planning and public art, improved the design quality of city owned properties and regulated the 1%-for-art-program.

Additionally, she served as liaison to the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, where she advised on design quality and equity and advocated for affordable housing production.

As one of the few AAPI woman architects promoted to Associate at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, So was a trailblazer as she honed her design skills and mastered the technical aspects of architecture and engineering practice. Her global experience includes helping design of some of the world’s tallest buildings, most advanced life science buildings and the world’s first all glass spiral staircase.

A strong believer that public transit connects communities, So can draw on her unique background in design, urban planning and land use to shape transportation policy and transit-related priorities. She is committed to carrying the SFMTA through the city’s economic recovery and prioritizes equity, safety on Muni and our streets, and fighting climate change.

SFMTA Board of Directors

The SFMTA is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors who are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The SFMTA Board of Directors provides policy oversight in accordance with the San Francisco Charter and the Transit-First Policy and serves as members of the San Francisco Parking Authority. The SFMTA Board of Directors generally meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. Meetings are open to everyone and are streamed live through SFGovTV. Additional information such as agendas, resolutions and legislation passed by the Board can be accessed at SFMTA Board page (SFMTA.com/Board).

Published September 02, 2023 at 12:02AM
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New Muni Service Changes Start Saturday, August 19

2023-08-15T02:45:00.001+05:30

New Muni Service Changes Start Saturday, August 19
By Clive Tsuma

28R 19th Avenue will run on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. starting Monday, August 21.

Back to School

With SFUSD students returning to school August 16, many families who rely on Muni to get to school will see service increase after school as part of the new schedule. Because Muni vehicles often become crowded during morning peak hours and sometimes pass up stops when there is not enough room for more riders, families are encouraged to plan their trips ahead of time and hop on Muni early to make sure students get to school on time.

With every public school in the San Francisco Unified School District being served by at least one Muni route, students can expect extra Muni service on the first day of the school this fall and continue providing service throughout the school year. While the Muni service changes won’t be implemented until August 19, school tripper service will be offered starting August 16, the first day of school for SFUSD. To view which Muni lines, serve each school, visit SFMTA.com/Muni2School.

28R 19th Avenue Rapid Service 

The return of the 28R 19th Avenue and the stop changes on the 29 Sunset is another highlight of the upcoming August 19 Muni service changes. Muni will make changes to its service to address crowding and improve travel times. School tripper service will start on August 16 to coincide with the first day of school for SFUSD.

The restoration of the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid line will address crowding that riders on the 28 19th Avenue bus currently experience. The 28R 19th Avenue Rapid will run every 12 minutes on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Combined with the 28 19th Avenue, service on the corridor will be every six minutes.

The 28R 19th Avenue Rapid will run on a modified route that ends at the Daly City BART station, rather than at the Balboa Park BART station as it used to. The new route will include the same 28R 19th Avenue stops from 19th Avenue at Holloway Ave north, but after serving the 19th & Holloway stop, the bus will go directly to the Daly City BART. While the new 28R 19th Avenue will not provide service to stops on Arch or Alemany, it will provide a more direct route to BART for people along the 19th Avenue corridor. Riders along the Alemany corridor going to the Balboa Park BART station can continue to use the 54 Felton. 

Highlights for the August 19 Service Changes

As part of the 29 Sunset Improvement Project, 11 stops will be removed in each direction on the 29 Sunset to improve reliability and make the 29 quicker. The 29 Sunset’s northern terminal will also change from Baker Beach to 25th Avenue and California Street after 10 p.m. Though some customers may need to start using a different stop, the route will be faster, more reliable and less crowded. The new night-time terminal will affect the following stops: Bowley Street at Lincoln Boulevard, Bowley Street at Gibson Road, Lincoln Boulevard at Bowley Street and 25th Avenue at El Camino Del Mar. Riders boarding at these stops and traveling south will need to wait for the operator’s layover at California.
With the return of the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid, the 28 19th Avenue will see a decrease in weekday frequency from every 10 minutes during morning and evening peaks to 12 minutes all day. However, combined weekday frequency with the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid will be every six minutes on shared stops along the corridor.
To address crowding on the 14R Mission Rapid during the early morning and afternoon school hours, more frequent morning service will start at 6 a.m. and service for students departing schools will ramp up around 2 p.m.

The 31 Balboa will extend to Townsend and 4th (Caltrain) serving eight (8) new stops on weekdays only.
The 38 Geary service to Geary and 32nd Avenue will increase from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends to address evening crowding. The frequency 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends will decrease from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
The southern terminal for the 19 Polk in the Hunters Point Shipyard will change to Donahue & Innes, from Galvez Avenue at Hill Drive. All current stops on the line will continue to be served. The terminal has been moved to a location with better lighting to prioritize operator and passenger safety.
The 30 Stockton will terminate at Sports Basement (Crissy Field) until 8 p.m. The northern terminal after 8 p.m. will be on Divisadero at Chestnut.
Inbound (16448) and outbound (16449) Inbound stops on Sloat at 43rd Avenue served by the 18 46th Avenue and 23 Monterey will be discontinued as part of the Sloat Quick Build Project.

The 6 Parnassus and 43 Masonic inbound stop at Parnassus at Hillway (15892) will go out of service due to long-term construction.
The 28 19th Avenue, 30 Stockton and 91 3rd Street-19th Avenue Owl eastbound stop at North Point and Larkin (15465) will be removed due to long-term construction.
The 48 Quintara-24th Street pilot reroute and eastern terminal change to 22nd at Iowa will be made permanent and will also apply to the 48 Owl. One weekday bus will be added to the 48 Quintara-24th Street to address crowding.
To improve reliability without sacrificing frequency on the 57 Parkmerced we are adding a bus on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This will allow the line to continue providing service every 20 minutes while contending with severe traffic congestion along the route. Weekend frequencies will change to 25 minutes from 20 minutes to account for more running time due to congestion.
The 55 Dogpatch will decrease in frequency from 15 minutes to 20 minutes to account for additional running time due to due to congestion and construction on 16th Street.

We’re also prioritizing safety on Muni. If you experience or witness customer or operator harassment on Muni, report it directly to the SFMTA by calling 311 or using the 311 mobile app or the Muni Feedback form (SFMTA.com/MuniFeedback). 

Published August 15, 2023 at 02:29AM
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Track Replacement on the L Taraval Line

2023-08-12T03:46:00.001+05:30

Track Replacement on the L Taraval Line
By Sevilla Mann

If you’ve traveled through the Sunset or Parkside neighborhoods recently, you may have seen a lot of construction activity on Taraval Street. Major construction projects are an inconvenience, and the impacts seem to be never ending. You may wonder, why does it take so long?

We would like to thank everyone for your ongoing patience and understanding as the L Taraval Improvement Project to replace aging infrastructure continues. Since we announced the beginning of the second segment of improvements on Taraval Street in January 2022, we’ve been busy wrapping up upgrades to the sewer and water lines, underground conduits and new pole foundations for the Overhead Contact System (OCS) that powers our Muni trains. We have also installed the necessary infrastructure to upgrade existing electrical for the trains, current and future streetlights and light poles.

We’ve now begun work on some of the above-ground improvements that you’ll be soon able to experience for yourself when the project is completed next year. To improve safety and accessibility, we’re upgrading existing boarding islands and adding additional islands that are ADA compliant. We are also making curb ramp upgrades, adding pedestrian bulbs and paving streets. To beautify the street, new trees and landscaping will be planted. We’re completely replacing the worn tracks that were initially installed in 1975. This will make your ride smoother and more reliable. You can learn more about 100 years of rail on Taraval.

Track installation between 28th and 31st avenues in 2023.

Track Replacement Work

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the tracks replaced in the City’s 150 rail infrastructure. San Francisco’s unique rail system dates back 150 years and ties together our cable cars, historic electric street cars and today’s modern Muni light rail service. Over the years, our rail maintenance team has been vigilant in keeping the rails in good working condition for as long as possible. Now the tracks are at the end of their useful life, and we are replacing the rails and upgrading our rail system to keep our trains operating smoothly well into the 21st century.

Track work between 16th and 19th avenues has begun, and the middle of Taraval Street will be closed to traffic traveling north- and southbound on 17th and 18th Avenues across Taraval Street for excavation work. East- and westbound lanes will remain open and traffic approaching Taraval Street will be allowed right turns only.

Note: that some L Taraval Bus stops may be temporarily relocated in active construction areas; please look for signs posted at bus stops.

Track excavation between 28th and 31st avenues in 2023.

On Monday, August 14, we will do a “rail pull” -- literally pulling the rails from the current staging location on Wawona Street and 20th Avenue for installation on Taraval Street between 16th and 19th avenues. The rails have been assembled from 100-yard rods into 400-yard “strings” ready for installation. We will use two loaders to push and pull the rails from storage, guide the strings down 21st Avenue and turn onto Taraval Street. Each rail segment is over a block long, so moving them to their new home will be quite a feat.

There will be intermittent temporary traffic delays along the pull route and at the intersection of 19th and Taraval Street. So, if you’re in the neighborhood on Monday, August 14, please try to avoid driving along the rail pull route. Or better yet, grab a bite to eat from one of Taraval’s excellent restaurants and watch history being made from the sidelines! If you miss this rail pull, stay tuned for the next one by signing up for project updates.

Published August 12, 2023 at 03:04AM
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Making Special Events Possible

2023-08-11T04:50:00.001+05:30

Making Special Events Possible
By Michael Delia

Outdoor festivals like Sunday Streets Phoenix Day celebrate the spirit of San Francisco. Such special events rely on the cooperation of many city departments.

San Francisco is a city that loves its outdoor events. Whether it’s a cultural heritage or holiday festival, farmers market, street fair, dance party, road race or even just a neighborhood block party, what often gets overlooked is the intricate collaboration and planning across city departments to make these events a success.

Nick Chapman is one of the people behind the scenes at the SFMTA who helps make them a reality. For seven years, he has worked to manage the permitting process that’s required for any special event. As a native San Franciscan who knows many corners of the city, Chapman has an appreciation for the public’s requests and finds the work to be fascinating.

“Every project is a little different. Every event, every location is a new situation with different stakeholders. Working with other city departments makes it fun and interesting,” he says.

Chapman is the manager of ISCOTT, or the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation. The board is made up of representatives from seven city agencies, including the SFMTA, Public Works, Police, Fire, the Entertainment Commission, Public Health and Planning. ISCOTT is responsible for approving or denying any event permit that requires a street closure on a roadway managed by the SFMTA. Certain exceptions outside of its jurisdiction include requests for street closures within parks managed by Recreation and Park, the National Parks Service and the Presidio Trust.

ISCOTT convenes for public hearings twice a month, except in November when it meets once. There are many considerations that go into any event request.

The first step is to submit an application. There are two types, one for Neighborhood Block Parties and one for all other Special Events. Applicants are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible about their event, including a site plan of any streets requiring closure.

Chapman reviews each application for possible issues. If an event falls on a particularly busy date, he may contact other city departments to determine resource availability and suggest alternatives to the applicant. He ultimately wants events to be approved and tries to caution applicants before they submit the non-refundable fee.

The minimum deadline to submit an application is 30 days before the event date, but applicants are encouraged to send in proposals as much as four to six months in advance. This allows time to secure any additional resources, such as food, alcohol or vendor permits, insurance, a medical plan or restrooms. It also provides flexibility if a certain date is unavailable. In recent years, the SFMTA has tried to improve the process by moving applications online, offering increased transparency about permitting and working to reduce fees, especially for small scale block parties and non-profits.

When ISCOTT approves a request and the date is set, we coordinate resources to determine next steps. Several agency groups work together to prepare an array of services for upcoming street closures. Parking Control Officers might be required to direct traffic around the area. Reroutes of Muni lines need to be planned and communicated to the public and operational staff. Transit stops need to be moved with new temporary signs posted. Taxi stands, paratransit pick-up and drop-off zones or areas for car and bike shares might need to be defined. For the largest events, the signal timing of traffic lights may even be modified. Thought also goes into notifying Google Maps, Waze and autonomous vehicle services about street closures, so they show up on maps on the day of the event.

The contributions from the Streets, Meter Shop, Temporary Sign Shop, Transit and Communications divisions are small but vital parts that make these events a success. The interagency work that goes on between the SFMTA and other city departments is also key.

Special events help to stimulate the economy, strengthen social ties within the community and encourage civic pride. Every planned event requires resources so that they can be held safely, and it’s important that different city departments are aware of them. ISCOTT helps to serve that need so that these events continue year after year.

For more information about applying for a special event street closure, please visit our website (SFMTA.com/StreetClosures).

Published August 11, 2023 at 04:19AM
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How to Pay for Parking at The City's New Multi-Space Paystations

2023-08-08T23:45:00.001+05:30

How to Pay for Parking at The City's New Multi-Space Paystations
By Pamela Johnson

One of San Francisco's new paystations as the city moves away from its aging parking meters.

How drivers pay for street parking in San Francisco continues to evolve. In March 2022, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) began the Citywide Parking Meter Replacement Project to replace San Francisco's aging 27,000 parking meters. Half of the parking meters will be replaced with new single-space meters and the other half with multi-space paystations that use a brand-new pay-by-license-plate system. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

San Francisco uses paid parking to create curb availability in commercial districts and high-demand neighborhoods. When parking meters are in operation, drivers spend less time circling the block looking for a space. Less circling means less congestion and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

To help drivers use the new multi-space paystations and pay-by-license-plate parking system, we’ve collaborated with SFGovTV to produce the instructional videos “How to Pay for Parking by License Plate” and “How to Pay for Parking with a Smartphone.” These videos are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Filipino. The new paystations feature larger multilingual instruction panels in English, Spanish and simplified Chinese.

The multi-space paystations replace outdated parking meters that relied on 3G communications technology phased out by wireless companies. They use state-of-the-art technology to validate parking payments and automatically transmit this information to our enforcement staff. Drivers no longer need to remember the space number where they parked, as the vehicle’s license plate number is used to verify that parking fees have been paid on a pay-by-license plate block. Payments can be made at paystations, on the pay-by-phone mobile app or by phone call. For more information on how to pay using each method, see the Ways to Pay section on our Parking Meters webpage.

Benefits of the New Multi-space Paystations

More resistant to vandalism   
No need to display a parking receipt on the dashboard.
No need to return to your car to feed the meter.
Payment can be made from any kiosk on the block where you are parked.
You can print a receipt from a kiosk or get a digital receipt if paying by mobile device.
You can leave and repark on the same block and not pay again if time remains from the original payment.
Find instructions and follow prompts on larger, more legible full-color touch screens in multiple languages (simplified Chinese, English and Spanish)
More powerful batteries will increase reliability and reduce maintenance visits.

Visit Citywide Parking Meter Replacement Project for more details including the locations of the multi-space paystations.

Visit  Parking Meters | SFMTA to learn more about parking meters in San Francisco.

Visit  Demand-Responsive Parking Pricing to view current parking meter rates and learn how to save money by finding cheaper parking a few blocks from your destination.

Published August 08, 2023 at 10:37PM
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150 Years Ago Today – The Cable Car is Born

2023-08-03T01:45:00.001+05:30

150 Years Ago Today – The Cable Car is Born
By Kelley Trahan

August 2, 2023, marks the 150th anniversary of the world’s first successful cable railway, born right here in San Francisco. To celebrate the occasion, we bring you the story of Andrew Hallidie and the very first cable car company, the Clay Street Hill Railroad.

Andrew Hallidie (1834-1900) was a pioneering inventor and entrepreneur who changed urban transportation. In 1852, at the age of 18, Hallidie emigrated with his father from the United Kingdom to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. His father, an engineer and inventor, had a wire rope patent that played a crucial role in his son's future success.

Portrait of Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1890.

Inspired by his father's wire rope business, Hallidie developed a steel cable mineral mine hauling system in 1857. About a decade later, he designed a wire rope aerial tramway for transporting materials over mountainous terrain. Then, after a stint in bridge construction across California, he returned to San Francisco.

Legend has it that the idea to build a cable car came to Hallidie one foggy, wet San Francisco evening in 1869 when he witnessed a tragic accident. A team of horses pulling a streetcar up a steep cobblestone hill slipped, causing the streetcar and horses to slide down the hill into a heap of wreckage. Drawing on his mining experience, Hallidie believed he could come up with a better way to transport people up and over San Francisco’s many hills.

Transfer from the Clay Street Hill Railroad Company used until early 1875.

Hallidie chose Clay Street between Kearny and Jones as the first route and raised $118,000, including significant investments from the residents of Clay Street. With engineering design work by William Eppelsheimer, construction began in early 1873. By mid-summer, the double-track line, powerhouse, cable and cars were completed at a total cost of $85,150. The first test run took place in the pre-dawn hours of August 2, 1873, and proved to be a tremendous success. One month later, on September 1, 1873, the Clay Street Hill Railroad Company began regular passenger service with a fare of five cents.

Clay St. Hill Railroad Co. Dummy 7 and Trailer on Clay and Jones Streets in 1873.

Hallidie's historic efforts not only revolutionized transportation but also yielded profitable returns for his investors. His invention provided a safe and efficient means of travel up and down the city's hills and spurred the expansion and development of San Francisco's neighborhoods and businesses. The Clay Street Hill Railroad marked the beginning of many cable car railways in San Francisco and around the world. Within just two decades, eight different companies operated cable cars on 54 miles of track around the city.

Throughout his life, Hallidie remained active in various engineering ventures and played a vital role in founding the San Francisco Mechanics' Institute, promoting scientific and technological education. Hallidie Plaza, near the Powell and Market Street cable car turntable, and the Hallidie Building in the city's Financial District are named after him.

Dedication Ceremony for Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell Street on March 14, 1973

Although none of the original Clay Street Hill Railroad line remains today, its legacy lives on. Muni’s 1 California bus route traverses the same path over Nob Hill and two cable cars that once served the line survive to this day. An original 1870s grip car, number 8, is on display in the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, and “Big” Cable Car 19, one of the last cable cars to run on Clay Street, is back in limited service through the fall in honor of the 150th anniversary.

150th Anniversary of the cable cars kickoff event with "Big 19,” on July 10, 2023

Celebrate the 150-year legacy by hopping on San Francisco’s iconic cable cars or catching a special anniversary event. Find more information at SFMTA.com/CableCars150 and https://sfcablecars.org.

Published August 03, 2023 at 12:33AM
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Updated Muni Service as Students Return to School

2023-07-28T01:45:00.001+05:30

Updated Muni Service as Students Return to School
By Clive Tsuma

28R 19th Avenue will run on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. starting Monday, August 21.

Muni will make changes to service to address crowding starting August 19 as SFUSD students return to school. This includes the return of the 28R 19th Avenue and bus stop changes to the 29 Sunset to improve travel times.

28R 19th Avenue Rapid Service 

The return of the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid is a highlight of the upcoming August 19 Muni service changes. The restoration of the line since its suspension at the start of the pandemic will address crowding that riders on the 28 19th Avenue bus currently experience. The 28R 19th Avenue Rapid will run on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., every 12 minutes. Combined with the 28 19th Avenue, service on the corridor will be every six minutes.

While the new 28R 19th Avenue will not provide service to stops on Arch or Alemany, it will provide a more direct route to BART for people along the 19th Avenue corridor. Riders along the Alemany corridor going to the Balboa Park BART station can continue to use the 54 Felton. 

Back to School

With SFUSD students returning to school August 16, many families who rely on Muni to get to school will see Muni service increase after school as part of the new schedule. Because Muni vehicles often become crowded during morning peak hours and sometimes pass up stops when there is not enough room for extra riders, families are encouraged to plan their trips ahead of time and hop on Muni early to make sure students get to school on time. Since school for SFUSD students starts Wednesday, August 16, and the Muni service changes won’t be implemented until August 19, we will be providing supplemental Muni service that is the same as the school Tripper service that we provided in spring for the first three days of school.

Highlights for the August 19 Service Changes

As part of the 29 Sunset Improvement Project, 11 stops will be removed in each direction on the 29 Sunset to improve reliability and reduce travel times. The 29 Sunset’s northern terminal will also change to 25th Avenue and California Street after 10 p.m.
With the return of the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid, the 28 19th Avenue will see a decrease in weekday frequency from every 10 minutes during morning and evening peaks to 12 minutes all day. Combined weekday frequency with the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid will be every six minutes.
To address crowding on the 14R Mission Rapid during the early morning and afternoon school hours, peak frequencies are shifting to more closely match demand. More frequent morning service will start at 6 a.m. and school service will ramp up around 2 p.m.
The 31 Balboa will extend to Townsend and 5th (Caltrain) with 10 new stops on weekdays only.
The 38 Geary service to Geary and 32nd Avenue will see an increase in service 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends to address evening crowding. The frequency 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends will decrease from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
The southern terminal for the 19 Polk in the Hunters Point Shipyard will change to Donahue & Innes, from Galvez Avenue at Hill Drive. All current stops on the line will continue to be served and the terminal will be in a location with better lighting to prioritize operator and passenger safety.
The 30 Stockton will go back to terminating at Sports Basement (Crissy Field) until 8 p.m. The northern terminal after 8 p.m. will be on Divisadero at Chestnut.
Inbound (16448) and outbound (16449) stops on Sloat at 43rd Avenue served by the 18 46th Avenue and 23 Monterey will be discontinued as part of the Sloat Quick Build Project.
The 6 Parnassus inbound stop at Parnassus/Hillway (15892) will go out of service due to long-term construction.
The 91 3rd Street/19th Avenue Owl inbound stop at North Point and Larkin (15465) will be removed due to long-term construction.
The 48 Quintara/24th Street pilot reroute and eastern terminal change to 22nd at Iowa will be made permanent and will also apply to the 48 Owl. One weekday bus will be added to the 48 Quintara/24th Street to address crowding.
To improve reliability without sacrificing frequency on the 57 Park Merced, we are adding a bus on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This will allow the line to continue providing service every 20 minutes while contending with severe traffic congestion along the route. Weekend frequencies will change to 25 minutes from 20 minutes to account for additional running time in light of congestion.
The 55 Dogpatch will decrease in frequency from 15 minutes to 20 minutes to account for additional running time due to due to congestion and construction on 16th Street.

Published July 28, 2023 at 01:26AM
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SFMTA Celebrates Disability Pride Month and Introduces the Accessibility Strategy

2023-07-27T01:45:00.001+05:30

SFMTA Celebrates Disability Pride Month and Introduces the Accessibility Strategy
By Katie Heuser

Disability rights activist Bruce Oka leads the ribbon cutting ceremony for an accessibility ramp on the K Ingleside platform in 1989.

Did you know one in ten San Franciscans has at least one kind of disability? July is Disability Pride Month, and San Francisco joins the celebration every year to honor the disability community and mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, which turns 33 on July 26, is the landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.

The disability rights movement has a long history in the Bay Area, and much of that activism has focused on accessible transportation. You can hear more about the evolution of San Francisco’s accessible transportation on our podcast, Taken with Transportation. During July and all year round, we honor the experiences, achievements and struggles of people with disabilities, and celebrate how disability is a rich part of human diversity.

Staff across the SFMTA are responsible for making our programs, policies and services accessible to older adults and people with disabilities. We work to go beyond legal accessibility requirements to provide safe and efficient service to all. For example, we require scooter companies to provide adaptive scooters. We provide free Muni for seniors and people with disabilities, and those who are unable to independently ride public transit can use paratransit. Since 1978, we have worked to improve and expand paratransit services.

To address the evolving and diverse transportation needs of people with disabilities and older adults in San Francisco, we are developing an Accessibility Strategy. This strategy will guide the agency in our mission to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can get to where they need to go safely, reliably and affordably.

There are three phases to the Accessibility Strategy.

Phase One, the Needs Assessment, begins with a history of accessible transportation services in San Francisco. It discusses the local populations of older adults and people with disabilities and their unique needs. The document examines transit, paratransit, street infrastructure and newer transportation options like scooters and bikeshare.

The Needs Assessment documents San Francisco’s successes in making these modes accessible to all and identifies additional work that needs to be done. The Accessible Services group analyzed existing agency strategies, rider surveys and performance data and consulted with community members to understand opportunities for improvement. The Needs Assessment will be available for public feedback later this summer. To receive updates on this work, including how to provide feedback, please email AccessibilityStrategy@sfmta.com.

Once the Needs Assessment is adopted, the Accessibility Strategy work will focus on Phase Two, the development of Goals and Actions. These goals and actions will provide a guide for how to address the issues and opportunities that have been identified. Your input on the Needs Assessment will be very important during Phase Two work.

Phase Three (Implementation & Performance Measurement) will help us measure the progress of the Accessibility Strategy. It will also set expectations for how we communicate this progress within the agency, to our partners and to the public.

Stay with us for more news on the Accessibility Strategy and how the SFMTA is working to support transportation for all. We invite you to learn more about transportation for people with disabilities and older adults in San Francisco by visiting our webpage or contacting our Mobility Management Center.

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:25AM
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The Slow but Steady Transformation of Page Street

2023-07-14T23:44:00.001+05:30

The Slow but Steady Transformation of Page Street
By Michael Delia

The transformation of Page Street from a congested to calm thoroughfare continues with the goal of making it safer for everyone.

The Slow Streets Program and other infrastructure upgrades are breathing new life into Page Street, creating a vibrant route connecting the Haight/Ashbury, Lower Haight and Hayes Valley neighborhoods. Widened sidewalks, a significant reduction in traffic and colorful, community-built street artwork have made Page a place where people want to walk, bike and live.

The tree-lined west end of Page Street serves as a gateway to Golden Gate Park. To the east, there have been numerous changes to the approach to Octavia Boulevard that are being welcomed by those who live in the area. There are now new sidewalk extensions and stormwater rain gardens at three locations near Octavia – including a decorative, traffic-calmed intersection at Page and Buchanan Streets.

Once a popular cut-through for cars to get to Octavia Boulevard and the freeway, Page Street’s recent transformation is the result of a process that took nearly a decade. The SFMTA began public outreach in 2014 to find ways to slow traffic and reduce the number of cars. The same year, the Planning Department designated Page Street as a Green Connection which paved the way for landscaping and urban design enhancements.

In 2016, an eastbound center-running bike lane from Laguna to Octavia opened with much fanfare, since it helps separate people biking downhill from the steady stream of right-turning vehicles. The lane was later extended a second block to Buchanan Street, but the issue of chronic congestion and turn conflicts at intersections remained.

The SFMTA worked closely with the community over several years to improve Page Street. The wider sidewalks and rain gardens were approved in 2018 as part of the Page Street Neighborway project. Initial improvements were focused on the stretch between Webster and Gough streets to address speeding, especially in the John Muir Elementary school zone, drivers and bicyclists running stop signs and traffic signals, steep grades at certain blocks and all-day congestion. An additional bikeway project that restricted access to Octavia Boulevard and the Central Freeway was implemented in February 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, Page became part of the pilot Slow Streets Program to limit car flow and open streets to expanded recreational use. With overwhelming community support of 85%, Page was adopted into the permanent Slow Streets program by the SFMTA Board this January. More robust traffic diverters were installed at all major signalized crossings, including Octavia, Divisadero, Masonic and Stanyan streets.

Today, we are seeing progress in the form of increased pedestrian and bicycle use and speed reductions. In the last two years, vehicle traffic on Page Street has gone down steadily, with an average daily vehicle volume of 1,120, down from 3,370, and an average speed of 16 mph. These numbers are getting closer to our recommended criteria of fewer than 1,000 cars per day with a median speed of 15 mph. There were also 39% fewer traffic collisions on Slow Page Street than before it became a Slow Street.

Our work is far from done. The community is hopeful that we can realize the full potential of “Slow Page.” Later this summer, we plan to install new signs to better communicate speed limits and restrictions at the approaches from cross streets.

While many of these changes have been implemented using quick build materials such as paint, posts and signs, we are also looking into what traffic restrictions we can add to the corridor and which ones can be made permanent. The recent completion of the neighborway project offers insight – and potentially lessons learned – into how adding infrastructure affects the Slow Streets experience. The potential for additional stormwater greening measures will also be studied. We expect to begin another round of public engagement focused on the western half of the corridor later this year into 2024.

The future of Page Street looks bright as progress continues. Evolving designs that prioritize people over traffic have helped foster a sense of community and encourage more public art and neighborhood-focused activity. This corridor is transforming into a safer, quieter residential street that offers a better quality of life for all of us who love this neighborhood.

Published July 14, 2023 at 10:57PM
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Innovation to Icon: 150 Years of Cable Cars Exhibit Opens

2023-07-13T03:45:00.001+05:30

Innovation to Icon: 150 Years of Cable Cars Exhibit Opens
By Jeremy Menzies

We are happy to announce the opening of a special history exhibit at the San Francisco Public Library, as part of the ongoing celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the cable cars. The “Innovation to Icon: 150 Years of Cable Cars” exhibit runs from July 1 to September 30 on the 6th floor of the public library’s main branch library at 100 Larkin Street.

150 years strong, San Francisco’s cable car system is a symbol of the city.

"Innovation to Icon: 150 Years of Cable Cars" takes a visual journey through time that brings the incredible history of San Francisco’s beloved cable cars to life. Combining photographs, original documents, and unique memorabilia from the San Francisco History Center and the SFMTA Photo Archive, this exhibit showcases the spirit, ingenuity and timeless allure of a city icon. 

Cable cars once dominated the transit scene in San Francisco. This 1890s shot was taken at Market and Geary Streets in the center of the city.

Invented in 1873 to conquer the city’s challenging topography, cable cars evolved from a groundbreaking transportation mode to a symbol of San Francisco. The cars have endured multiple boom-bust cycles, nearly becoming extinct more than once thanks to natural, political and economic turmoil. During the post-war era, they rose in popularity locally and nationally and became a “must-see” attraction for visitors.

California Street cable car passing Grant Avenue in Chinatown in the late 1970s.

Years of use and deferred maintenance in the 1970s left the system battered and unsafe. From 1982-1984, the entire system was shut down and rebuilt from the ground up. Reengineered for improved safety and structural integrity, the new system held onto its 19th century roots.

Today, San Francisco’s cable cars are landmarks of American history and culture. Rather than being static relics from the past, they are living and moving museums, reminding us of what makes San Francisco such an extraordinary place. Drop by during regular library hours to immerse yourself in the world of the “little cable cars” that forever changed our city.

Published July 13, 2023 at 02:53AM
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Get Your Transportation Needs Met in the Bayview

2023-07-04T01:45:00.001+05:30

Get Your Transportation Needs Met in the Bayview
By Christopher Kidd

SFMTA staff tabling at Bayview Sunday Streets in May of 2023.

Starting this summer, Bayview-Hunters Point residents can get their transportation service needs met without having to leave the neighborhood! The Transportation Resource Center (TRC) at 5009 3rd Street is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and offers access to Muni resources.

Run by the SFMTA and Community Youth Center of San Francisco, the TRC is part of the larger SFMTA Bayview Community Shuttle Program.

There are many programs that make transportation more affordable and accessible for youth, seniors, low-income residents and residents with a disability – but learning about these programs or registering for them can be a challenge. The TRC makes information and services for transportation easily available for residents in Bayview-Hunters Point, with staff on site to help navigate forms and requirements. At the Center people can:

Sign up for a Clipper Card or get a discounted Clipper Card for residents with low incomes or residents with a disability.
Sign up for a Muni Transit Pass – including Free Muni for people with a disability, the Lifeline Transit Pass for low-income residents, the Youth Transit Pass, the Senior Transit Pass or the Access Pass for people experiencing homelessness.
Access Paratransit services, including the Essential Trip Card, the Shop-a-Round shuttle, Van Gogh shuttle and wheelchair taxi access.
Get Muni Travel Training – learn how to use the Muni transit system and the MuniMobile app to reach key destinations.
Learn how to access Scootershare and Bikeshare services, including the Bike Share for All program for low-income residents.

We’re also partnering with the HOPE SF Youth Leadership Program (led by Bay Area Community Resources) to share information about the TRC with residents at HOPE SF housing sites across Bayview-Hunters Point. These youth champions will help expand mobility to those who find it hardest to access transportation.

Mobile Sales Van Partnership

We’re also bringing the SFMTA Mobile Sales Van to the TRC for pop-ups on July 11 and July 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can buy Clipper cards, buy or renew transit passes and pay parking citations at the Mobile Van. The SFMTA Mobile Van also stops at Mendell Plaza in Bayview-Hunters Point the first and last Friday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can get involved with the Bayview Community Shuttle in a number of ways:

Sign up for our mailing list
Attend a committee meeting for the Transportation Resource Center
Take our shuttle service planning survey
Attend an upcoming shuttle outreach event
Attend a Community Congress meeting in the Bayview – details are on the project website
Contact us directly

Find more information on the Bayview Community Shuttle Fact Sheet.

Published July 04, 2023 at 01:26AM
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SFMTA Expands Connection Between the Public and Staff Through New Podcast

2023-07-01T05:44:00.001+05:30

SFMTA Expands Connection Between the Public and Staff Through New Podcast
By

We have taken to the airwaves, or the “digital waves” anyway, with the new SFMTA podcast, Taken with Transportation.

Taken with Transportation showcases the people and policies that make accessible, equitable transportation possible in San Francisco, and two episodes already have dropped. The first brings listeners along for the ride aboard one of Muni’s hardest working bus lines: the 22 Fillmore. The second profiles several members of our transit car cleaning staff and takes a detailed look at the hard work they do to keep our buses, light rail vehicles and cable cars clean and safe.

Every episode will feature SFMTA staff members and offer listeners a deeper understanding of the agency. These stories will cover everything from the city’s streets to the SFMTA’s inner workings and offer insight and perspectives that aren’t available anywhere else. We’re passionate about the work we do and want to share that passion and commitment.

Future episodes will focus on the 150th anniversary of the cable cars, our crossing guard program, transit accessibility, the new shuttle program coming to the Bayview neighborhood, question and answer sessions with our executives, equity and inclusion events and a whole lot more. Whatever the job or project, if we do it at the SFMTA, listeners may well hear about it on the podcast.

Taken with Transportation is hosted and produced by SFMTA public relations officer and former broadcast journalist Melissa Culross. Culross spent three decades in radio creating audio content, hosting shows and connecting with audiences over the air. You can find Taken with Transportation on our podcast web page (SFMTA.com/Podcast), Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google or wherever you listen.

Published July 01, 2023 at 03:36AM
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SFMTA and City Supervisors Collaborate on Arguello Boulevard Safety Project

2023-06-27T05:44:00.001+05:30

SFMTA and City Supervisors Collaborate on Arguello Boulevard Safety Project
By Alejo Alvarado

Safety improvements are coming to the full length of Arguello.

Arguello Boulevard is getting a safety upgrade. The SFMTA has begun work on the Arguello Safety Project to improve safety for everyone, particularly people who ride bicycles on Arguello Boulevard. The project covers Arguello between Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.

District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan and District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani called for protected bike lanes on Arguello Boulevard after a San Francisco bicyclist was struck and killed on Arguello in the Presidio on April 4, 2023. Supervisors Chan and Stefani each awarded the SFMTA $50,000 of Community Response Team funding to support safety improvements to Arguello Boulevard within city limits. In addition to this $100,000, the SFMTA will put money into the project, and staff will work closely with both Supervisors and the public to develop a comprehensive design that prioritizes safety on Arguello.

Arguello Boulevard currently has bike lanes in both directions. However, this project will review and potentially propose protected bikeways that are separated from motor vehicle traffic by parked cars, safe-hit posts, transit islands or other physical barriers. These protective elements can make the street safer for bicyclists.

The entirety of Arguello Boulevard previously was on the High Injury Network, the San Francisco streets where fatal and severe traffic collisions occur most. Safety improvements were made on one section of Arguello in 2017, but the corridor north of Geary Boulevard remains on the HIN. This project will help address the need for further safety improvements and expand safety and connectivity on the citywide bike network while helping the city meet its Vision Zero goals.

Designs are currently being considered and the outreach/feedback period is expected to begin in Summer 2023. SFMTA staff is also coordinating with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority as that agency concurrently works on a District 1 Multimodal Transportation Study and a District 2 Safety Study and Implementation.

For more information and updates, please visit the Arguello Safety Project Webpage.

Published June 27, 2023 at 04:55AM
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Celebrate Pride in San Francisco: Looking Back and Moving Forward

2023-06-24T01:44:00.001+05:30

Celebrate Pride in San Francisco: Looking Back and Moving Forward
By Enrique Aguilar

SFMTA Pride Parade contingent in 2022.

San Francisco has long been at the forefront of the LGBTQIA+ movement in the United States, and Pride is an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric. On Sunday, June 25, Market Street will come alive during the SF Pride Parade. This year's theme, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," embodies the spirit of reflection, progress and unity. Staff from the SFMTA will be participating in the parade and are ready to come together to celebrate!

Pride events are important to countless people. They offer a safe and accepting space where folks can express their true selves without fear or judgment. The celebration is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves acceptance and respect, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Pride Month events also acknowledge the contributions and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history. From the famous Castro district to influential activists and community organizations, San Francisco has a storied history of advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. SF Pride exemplifies this legacy, drawing people from all over the world to celebrate love. As San Francisco prepares for its upcoming Pride events, it's important to reflect on the significance of Pride Month and why it resonates so deeply with so many people.

You can your support for the LGBTQIA+ community by joining some or all of the San Francisco Pride Weekend events:

Trans March – Friday, June 23

Dyke March – Saturday, June 24

Pride Celebration – Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25

Pride Parade – Sunday, June 25

Published June 24, 2023 at 12:02AM
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Celebrating LGBTQIA Diversity at the SFMTA

2023-06-17T02:45:00.001+05:30

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Diversity at the SFMTA
By Enrique Aguilar

Yves standing in front of a photo of his father at the SFMTA headquarters.

This Pride Month, we are spotlighting some incredible people who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the SFMTA and are part of the agency's LGBTQIA+ community. Their dedication, passion and unique perspectives contribute to the success of our transportation system, making it a true reflection of the diverse customers we serve.

Yves Michael C. Valdez is an HR Analyst for Employee and Labor Relations and is passionate about helping others. Outside of work, Yves is an avid gardener who has cultivated a collection of dwarf Japanese maples, succulents and orchids.

Several key motivations led Yves to the SFMTA. He relied on public transit when he moved to San Francisco from the Philippines, and that left a lasting impression on him. The daily interactions and unique experiences of passengers, sometimes filled with drama, comedy and suspense, captured his attention and created a sense of connection with the city’s diverse population. His father's career as a fare inspector at the SFMTA instilled a sense of pride and purpose, inspiring him to follow in his footsteps and contribute to the agency that had provided so much for his family.

Yves emphasizes the significant impact the SFMTA has had on his life and how it allowed him to leave the private sector for a career in public service. Despite not getting a job with the agency the first time he applied, Yves was eventually hired and embarked on an incredible roller coaster ride of growth and learning as he navigates the nuances of interacting with such a diverse workforce every day.

Yves has collaborated with colleagues to revamp the tuition reimbursement process for service-critical union members, streamlining the system and ensuring fair access to educational opportunities. His work on preparing and presenting reports to the Civil Service Commission also showcases his expertise during the pressure of such important meetings.

Yves also has gone above and beyond by taking the initiative to process Public Service Loan Forgiveness for SFMTA employees. He recognizes the stress associated with student loans and sees the importance of supporting his colleagues through this process.

Beyond his “regular” job duties, smaller, heartfelt moments truly resonate with Yves. Whether assisting a retiree with their Transit pass sticker, helping an employee secure a Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance approval, or simply surprising someone with an afternoon ice cream treat, the gratitude and notes of appreciation he receives from individuals make Yves smile. He believes the richness of public service lies not in financial gain, but in the personal fulfillment derived from positively impacting others' lives.

Yves’ journey at the SFMTA exemplifies the power of diversity and inclusion. It reminds us that by embracing diversity and inclusion, the agency can connect people physically and in spirit, creating a stronger and more vibrant community for everyone.

Watch an interview video with Yves to learn more about his experiences, motivations, and proud moments. We’ll also be spotlighting other LGTBTQIA+ staff in an upcoming blog.

Published June 17, 2023 at 02:23AM
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Celebrating 150 Years of Cable Cars

2023-06-13T22:44:00.001+05:30

Celebrating 150 Years of Cable Cars
By Jeanne Brophy

Powell Street Cable Cars Looking Down Powell Street Towards Sutter Street

San Francisco’s iconic cable cars are turning 150 this year, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate! Today the SFMTA is kicking off a series of events that mark this sesquicentennial by offering residents and visitors a chance to learn more about the rich heritage and cultural significance of the cable car. The six-month celebration will take a journey through time and help people rediscover the allure of these cherished, moving city landmarks.

Since their invention, cable cars have woven their way into the fabric of San Francisco, becoming a beloved symbol of the city. As part of the 150th anniversary celebration, unique "ghost" cable cars from vanished lines will make a remarkable return. Discover the craftsmanship behind these engineering marvels with the first-ever public tours of the Muni shop (video) where cable cars are built and maintained.

Beginning July 1 through the end of 2023, we are offering a special $5 California cable car line unlimited day pass that will allow you to hop on and off all day. Take advantage of the all-day, all-Muni pass for only $13. This pass gets you unlimited rides on cable cars, F-line historic streetcars, Muni Metro lines and buses. It allows you to embark on captivating walking tours through the neighborhoods along the cable car lines.

"This civic celebration of 150 years of cable cars is a fun opportunity for San Franciscans and visitors alike to 'ride backward' while looking forward," said Rick Laubscher, president of the Market Street Railway.

You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the captivating stories of Chinatown, the Barbary Coast, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Union Square, Polk Gulch and the Financial District. Discover the intriguing histories of these neighborhoods while visiting vibrant shops and delectable restaurants. The experience is a perfect blend of past and present, and you can get there on a cable car!

You’ll want to join the festivities and rediscover the enchantment of San Francisco as the cable cars turn 150. From the inaugural ride on "Big 19" to the captivating walking tours and special passes, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more at our cable car anniversary webpage (SFMTA.com/cablecars150)

Published June 13, 2023 at 09:45PM
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Towing in San Francisco Explained

2023-06-13T01:45:00.001+05:30

Towing in San Francisco Explained
By Melissa Culross

The sight drivers never want to see.

You’re walking to your car, ready to jump in, when you look around and get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The car is not where you left it. Have you forgotten where you parked? Has it been stolen?

And then you realize that it has been towed.

At the SFMTA, we understand that retrieving a towed vehicle is expensive and inconvenient. You’re charged towing and administration fees, and if your car is at the impound lot for more than four hours, you are responsible for storage costs, as well. However, it’s important to remember that San Francisco streets are a shared public space, not anyone’s private parking spot.

SFMTA parking control officers may tow vehicles that cause a hazard or block transit lanes, fire hydrants or driveways. Towing when it’s necessary keeps our streets safe and accessible to everyone, but ultimately, the SFMTA wants to help people avoid having their cars towed. That is why we often issue warnings and citations before resorting to towing. We also launched the Text Before Tow program in January 2022 to let people know if their car is about to be towed for certain violations.

Tow-Fee Waivers for Low-Income and Unhoused People

We recognize that some vehicle owners may not be able to afford the administration and tow fees, and it would be unfair to burden them further or put them at risk of losing their cars simply because of financial constraints. That's why we have programs that help low-income people retrieve towed vehicles.

There is a significantly reduced towing fee for eligible low-income people, and storage fees are waived for up to 15 days. This gives people time to gather the necessary funds. In the case of unhoused people, the financial situation can be even more challenging, and we believe in providing support, not making things even harder. This is why, for eligible vehicle owners experiencing homelessness, all administration and tow fees are waived the first time their vehicle is towed. Storage fees also are waived for up to 30 days.

It is important to note that if a vehicle owned by someone who is unhoused is towed more than once, they receive the same fee and storage waivers as other low-income people.

Towing Vehicles Used as Housing

The SFMTA takes a cautious approach when it comes to towing vehicles that may be used as a living space. We understand that towing these vehicles can result in the loss of personal belongings, essential medications, and potentially the homes of those who are already in vulnerable situations. That is why our parking control officers have a policy of exercising restraint when they come upon vehicles that may be inhabited.

We also work closely with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (DHSH) and the Healthy Streets Operations Center (HSOC) to support people living in their vehicles. Our goal is to connect them with health care services and alternative housing options. At the same time, we have an obligation to manage the limited curb space San Francisco has, especially when we receive complaints.

If a vehicle has been parked in the same spot for an extended period, the owner may receive what traditionally has been a 72-hour warning to move that vehicle. Our parking control officers will determine whether the vehicle is occupied or appears to be used for shelter. If that is the case, they will try to let the owner or occupants know about programs that can help prevent the vehicle from being towed.

While the usual practice is to tow the vehicle three days after the warning has been issued, the SFMTA currently offers an additional two-day grace period. On top of that, owners can request an additional five days if needed. If a vehicle used as housing eventually is towed, the SFMTA will inform the owner of their rights and offer guidance on how they can retrieve their belongings.

It’s important to understand that the SFMTA is not the only agency responsible for managing parking in the city. The San Francisco Police Department may also call for a vehicle to be towed. In that case, only the SFPD can authorize the release of the vehicle or grant the owner access. Additionally, state laws may also prevent the SFMTA from releasing a towed vehicle back onto the road.

The SFMTA has implemented the nation’s most comprehensive program to provide the most vulnerable populations relief from certain costs related to parking citations and towing. We have an obligation to manage the streets, and calling for a tow when it’s warranted helps us do that.

You can learn more at Waivers for people experiencing homelessness or low-income and reduction for first time tow (SFMTA.com/FirstTow) or Text Before Tow Program (SFMTA.com/TextBeforeTow).

Published June 13, 2023 at 01:01AM
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June 10 Service Changes Add Muni Service on Connector Routes

2023-06-08T20:45:00.001+05:30

June 10 Service Changes Add Muni Service on Connector Routes
By Clive Tsuma

Summer service changes will address crowding and wait times. The 44 O’Shaughnessy frequency will increase from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes.

Starting Saturday, June 10, the SFMTA will launch summer Muni service, adding service on several routes to address crowding and wait times and to support increased summer tourism. Several stop changes will be introduced to serve more customers and make service more accessible and reliable.

These service changes prioritize supporting the city’s economic recovery and matching Muni service more closely to the needs of riders and their communities. We are working to build back our ridership by providing high-quality, reliable service that people can count on and riders are noticing!All of the service changes described here are cost neutral. This means that we are shifting available operators and vehicles to Muni lines that need more service to reduce crowding or provide better connections elsewhere.  

And,

More Muni Service and Increased Service Hours

The following is the complete list of the June 10, 2023, services changes. Please note there may be slight variations between weekdays and weekends and that the details are subject to change.

For more updates and detailed information please visit SFMTA Muni routes and stops (SFMTA.com/Routes).

1 California: We will be adding one “short line pattern” back to service between Clay and Drumm streets and California Street and Presidio Avenue on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This adds service where demand is highest. Check the head signs for the bus’s destination.

1X California Express: Service on this route will start earlier at 7:15 a.m. instead of 8 am, in response to customer feedback. Frequency will also increase from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes in response to customer demand. The express line will also now serve more stops at Cherry, Spruce and Laurel streets and at Presidio Avenue.

30 Stockton: We’re extending the evening service to the Presidio seven days a week. The last trip from the Presidio will depart from the Sports Basement stop at 8:30 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.

5 Fulton Owl: We’re extending the route from McAllister and Jones streets to 4th and Market streets, which will provide a connection to Market Street for riders.

F Market & Wharves: To better support summer tourism, we will add a supplemental Muni bus service on weekend afternoons for the F Market & Wharves between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf from 2 to 10 p.m.

28 19th Avenue: We are adding peak service to address crowding on weekdays and weekends. Frequencies will increase from every 10 minutes to every 9 minutes during peak morning service and from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes during midday.

38R Geary Rapid: We are increasing service to address crowding on weekdays. Frequency will increase from every 7 minutes to every 6 minutes all day.

44 O’Shaughnessy: We are increasing service to address crowding on weekdays. The frequency will increase from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes.

Bus Stop Changes

15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: We’re improving access to the shops, banks and supermarket at the Bayview Plaza by moving the northbound bus stop on 3rd at Evans Street from north of Evans to south of Evans.

27 Bryant: We’re improving accessibility and reliability by upgrading flag stops to bus zones on Leavenworth and Turk, Post, Sutter, Bush and Pine streets, inbound, and on Bush and Leavenworth outbound. We are also adding a new inbound stop on Valencia at 24th street.

To give us feedback on Muni service write to TellMuni@SFMTA.com.

Safety on Muni is one of our top priorities. If you experience or witness customer or operator harassment on Muni, report it directly to the SFMTA by calling 311 or using the 311 mobile app or the Muni Feedback form (SFMTA.com/MuniFeedback).

2023 Community Survey Results

Muni Feedback

Related Projects:

Safety Equity Initiative

Related Reports and Documents:

2023 Community Survey Results

2023 Community Survey Data Crosstabs

Published June 08, 2023 at 08:06PM
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New Dashboards Give a Window into Muni Service Changes

2023-06-06T23:45:00.001+05:30

New Dashboards Give a Window into Muni Service Changes
By Kate McCarthy

An inspector manages Muni service. New dashboards that help inform changes to Muni service are now live at SFMTA.com/MuniData

Many factors inform our decisions about Muni service adjustments. These include making sure changes to service support the SFMTA’s values, which are economic vitality, environmental stewardship, trust and equity. We also evaluate travel patterns. You can now explore these patterns using the new Muni data dashboards (SFMTA.com/MuniData).

When looking at possible Muni service changes, the first thing we do is turn to the Muni Service Equity Strategy for guidance. Using the Muni Service Equity Strategy, we prioritize providing Muni service along routes that more often serve people of color, members of low-income households, and/or those who are dependent upon transit service, including people with disabilities and seniors.

We also use ridership data to analyze where riders are boarding and where and when there is crowding. This is how we determine if there are opportunities to better align ridership with how often the buses and trains run on specific Muni routes. The Muni data dashboards described below demonstrate some of the different ways ridership data can be sliced for these analyses.

Systemwide Muni Ridership Recovery - To see how current Muni ridership compares to pre-pandemic ridership, you can view our dashboard that shows Muni system ridership recovery percentage by month from April 2020 to now.
Muni Ridership Recovery by Route - We also have a view that shows Muni route ridership recovery percentage by month.
Average Daily Boardings by Route - This dashboard shows average daily boardings by Muni route and month (pre-pandemic to present). It helps transit planners see where riders are boarding Muni and shifts in ridership patterns. The percentages compare ridership in a given month to the same month in 2019. For example, on the 22 Fillmore, ridership increased to 117% of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays and 147% on weekends after we installed transit lanes, increased frequency and rerouted the line to bring people to their jobs and medical appointments in Mission Bay.
Percent of Daily Trip Crowding by Route - The Crowding dashboard shows each Muni line and the percentage of its trips that are crowded in a month. SFMTA transit planners look at which Muni lines are crowded so that they can determine whether more service is needed to address it.
Scheduled Service and Ridership Recovery by Route - This dashboard compares how much a route’s pre-pandemic ridership has recovered to how much service is scheduled on each route to meet ridership demand. This comparison can help identify how demand for different routes has changed since the pandemic. (NOTE: “Scheduled service” is not the same as service that was actually delivered. Because of operator shortages, we weren’t able to deliver all the service that was on the schedule pre-pandemic. This is an area we’ve dramatically improved on in recent years so that we are now delivering service that people can count on.)

Using the data described above – while being guided by the SFMTA’s values and the Muni Service Equity Strategy – allows us to make informed decisions about adjusting Muni service to best meet San Francisco’s needs. Now with our new Muni Data dashboards, you can see the numbers that help make these decisions.

Check out our new Muni Data dashboards (SFMTA.com/MuniData).

Published June 06, 2023 at 11:05PM
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Tracks in the Sky: Overhead Lines Then and Now

2023-06-02T03:50:00.001+05:30

Tracks in the Sky: Overhead Lines Then and Now
By Jeremy Menzies

After telling you about the Track Department through the years, this month we take a look back at the Overhead Line Department. The focus of this group is to maintain our “tracks in the sky” which provide electric power to the LRVs, historic streetcars and trolley buses that are critical to keeping San Francisco moving.

SF Municipal Railway Tower Truck No. 1 on Van Ness Avenue circa 1917.

The earliest overhead transit power lines were built for San Francisco’s first electric streetcar line, which opened in 1892. As more electric streetcar lines came into service over the years, the electric grid above them expanded into a complex network requiring more power and more maintenance. Within 20 years, electric streetcars provided nearly all transit in the city.

A complicated overhead line operation at Bryant and Alameda, 1951. The building on the right- built as a power generating plant in 1893 -was home to the Overhead Lines department until just a few years ago.

In the late 1940s, many of the city’s streetcar lines were replaced by electric trolley buses. While they were able to tap into the existing power supply system, these buses made it necessary to expand the overhead line system further. Unlike streetcars, trolley buses need two wires to run, so all the new trolley routes required new overhead equipment.

Lineman Ralph Greco making repairs to a section of trolley overhead inside the shop in 1985.

In addition to wires, the department maintains and repairs all the auxiliary equipment that allows streetcars, LRVs and trolley buses to intersect and make turns, including switches, crossings and breakers.

An Overhead Line Dept. team clears trolley coach wires downed by a fallen tree on Sutter and Stockton Streets during winter storms in January 2023.

Emergency response has always been another important and difficult part of the job. Without a power line, trolley buses and subway trains are stopped dead in their tracks. So a speedy response is essential.

Crews installing new wire in the Market Street Subway at Castro Station during a Fix It Week shutdown in 2022.

Over the years, the department has improved equipment and practices, but inspecting and maintaining the lines remains at the core of its work. Preventative maintenance like stringing new sections of wire in problem areas have played a critical role in improving system reliability.

So we look to the Overhead Line team to make sure the equipment above keeps everything rolling on the tracks and the streets.

Published June 02, 2023 at 02:20AM
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Discounted Muni Fares Support the Community

2023-06-01T04:44:00.001+05:30

Discounted Muni Fares Support the Community
By Emmett Nelson

Find out if you qualify for discounts below.

Did you know that the SFMTA offers a number of discounted fares for our riders? From youth to seniors to people with low incomes, there are options to fit a variety of needs.

For adult riders whose income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Limit, the SFMTA offers 50% discounts on single ride fares and monthly passes. The single ride fare discount can also be used on most Bay Area transit, including BART and Caltrain, at a discount of 20% or 50%. Please visit the Clipper START webpage for more information about the discounts provided at other transit agencies.

In 2013, the SFMTA began offering Free Muni rides for youth in San Francisco from median to low-income households. The Free Muni Program then expanded to include San Francisco seniors and people with disabilities.

In 2021, SFMTA expanded the Youth Program to make it free for all young people, regardless of income or residency. Youth are now no longer required to have proof of payment – they can simply get on and ride.

The latest SFMTA discount fare is the Access Pass, which provides free rides to people experiencing homelessness. The Access Pass is only available to those who are actively engaged with San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH).

To learn more, visit the Fares webpage (SFMTA.com/Fares).

Published June 01, 2023 at 03:15AM
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Meet the People who Keep You Safe on Muni

2023-05-31T00:44:00.001+05:30

Meet the People who Keep You Safe on Muni
By Mariana Maguire

Next time you ride Muni or see a Muni vehicle, keep an eye out for the faces of some of the people of the SFMTA working to keep customers and fellow staff safe on Muni, day to day. They include members of our Muni Transit Assistance Program, Proof of Purchase team, our Muni operators, as well as our head of Safety, Security and Investigations.

Staff in our Muni Transit Assistance Program ride Muni \ to help address conflicts.Our Proof of Purchase team, Station Agents and Transit Inspectors support customer safety by providing an extra presence on Muni vehicles, at stops and in stations and assistance if issues arise. And our Muni operators provide the first line of safety for customers. While their primary responsibility is to operate their vehicles safely, they can also help address conflicts onboard when necessary and when it is safe for them to do so. In the case that it’s not possible or safe for an operator to stop the vehicle to address an issue onboard, they will call our Transit Management Center to report incidents and request assistance.

While you may not always notice these staff, they are on vehicles, at stops and in Muni Metro stations throughout the city every day of the week. With core training in conflict resolution, these SFMTA colleagues diffuse and deter conflicts, assist and educate customers, support operators and provide important visibility into what’s happening on Muni. Their route assignments change periodically so they can provide support across the Muni system. The feedback they report from what they observe on the job helps strengthen our approach to safety.

In addition to our dedicated workforce, the SFMTA works to keep customers and staff safe on Muni with multiple on-vehicle cameras that record all incidents that take place on our vehicles. Video footage from these cameras has allowed the police to identify and successfully apprehend suspects when a crime on Muni does occur. We have also expanded harassment reporting options and launched the Safety Equity Initiative.

We will keep working hard to make everyone safe on Muni, and, if you see or experience an incident, please call 311 or use the Muni Feedback form to let us know so we can investigate and respond. Safety on Muni is everyone’s business.

Hop on Muni to see each of the ads we’ve spotlighted with more to be featured in the future.

Published May 30, 2023 at 11:42PM
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