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Slow Streets Become Spooky (Safe) Streets for Halloween By Eillie Anzilotti Halloween festivities on Minnesota Slow Street in 2020 This Halloween season, Slow Streets are becoming Spooky Streets. All across San Francisco, community groups are transforming their local Slow Streets into neighborhood gathering places for trick-or-treating, costume parties and more. On October 31 from 3 to 6 p.m., organizers from Kid Safe SF and the Great Highway Park Initiative are turning the Great Highway into The Great Hauntway , a beachside block party with a costume contest, arts and crafts and a “spooky disco.” That same day, neighbors in Sunnyside are gathering on Slow Hearst Street for a Halloween party at 4 p.m. On Minnesota Street, the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association is hosting their second annual MinneSLOWta Spooky Slow Street Stroll on October 30—the same day that Slow Sanchez Street will host a Halloween Stroll . Safe, car-light spaces for people to walk, bike and roll are essential

New Law Brings Safer Speed Limits to San Francisco By Eillie Anzilotti With the passage of California Assembly Bill 43 (Friedman)—which allows local jurisdictions to reduce speed limits in key areas—San Francisco is poised to make major progress toward our goal of achieving Vision Zero – eliminating traffic-related fatalities . Because speed is the leading cause of serious and fatal crashes in San Francisco, reducing speeds is the single most effective tool for achieving Vision Zero. Before AB43, cities across California—including San Francisco—were limited in their ability to adjust local speed limits. Even slowing traffic down by 5 mph can make a difference of whether or not someone survives a crash, and AB43 will enable SFMTA to set speeds that promote safer streets for all along key corridors. The SFMTA will implement the changes authorized through AB43 in two phases. First, under the provision that goes into effect in January 2022, the SFMTA will move to lower speed limits

Vaccine-Related Service Changes Go into Effect November 1 By Mariana Maguire An SFMTA staff person receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Woods Muni Maintenance Division To address operator shortages due to the city’s mandate that only vaccinated employees may work after November 1 , the SFMTA will temporarily suspend “short” line service on a few Muni lines. Short service refers to buses that run on a segment of a longer Muni route to help improve frequency on higher-ridership portions of the line. The long routes on these lines will continue to operate, connecting customers where they need to go. There will be no cancellation of any Muni routes in response to staffing challenges associated with the city’s vaccine mandate. Starting November 1, we are planning to temporarily suspend the 1 California Short , 14R Mission Rapid Short (weekends only), 30 Stockton Short, and 49 Van Ness Short (on weekdays only).  These changes are intended to reduce impacts to service systemwide, but

Animated Map Shows Record Expansion of Transit Lanes By Michael Rhodes An animated map showing the expansion of transit lanes in San Francisco. View as a PDF . It’s been a record year for transit lanes in San Francisco: we’ve installed nearly 14 miles of new or upgraded lanes since summer 2020. That’s the fastest expansion of transit lanes in the city’s history. These transit lanes benefit Muni routes that serve nearly two-thirds of current customers. It’s all part of our efforts to give transit riders priority on congested streets and improve Muni speed and reliability. Better Muni service means more people will opt to take transit instead of driving, that reduces congestion and supports our environmental goals . To commemorate this milestone, we’ve put together an animated map showing the evolution of San Francisco’s transit lane network over the last 15 years. We hope you find it as mesmerizing as we do to watch transit lanes expand across the city during this time. Transit l

70 Years at Elkton Shops: Part 1 By Jeremy Menzies In this two-part blog series, we will look back at the history of one of our city’s hardest working transportation properties. For almost 115 years, the Elkton lot, located on San Jose Avenue between Ocean and Niagara Avenues, has been the epicenter of SF streetcar operations. In this post, we will explore the first 70 years at the property when it was known as “Elkton Shops”. Built between 1905 and 1907 by the United Railroads of San Francisco (URR) on a several acre field in the outskirts of the city, Elkton Shops was the most comprehensive transit facility in the city. The new shops, mainly surrounded by farmland, were named after a Southern Pacific Railroad stop just steps away on Ocean Avenue. A lone cable car sits on a muddy ladder track outside the newly built Elkton Shops in this January 1907 shot. In 1921, Elkton changed hands, going to the Market Street Railway Company after URR suffered years of financial troubles. Duri

Plans for 2022 Muni Service Take the Next Step By Mariana Maguire A 2 Clement Muni bus serving its route to Park Presidio Boulevard. The 2 Clement is proposed to return to service in early 2022. When we asked about what SFMTA should do with resources to expand a bit of service, the SFMTA received more than 4,500 responses to our survey asking San Franciscans what they want to see when we’re able to add more service in February 2022.    We also received detailed feedback about Muni service at meetings, pop-ups and via email and our hotline. In response to that feedback, in early 2022 we are restoring connections, particularly for people with disabilities and seniors. Taking the time to evaluate our service and working with the public, we have also developed ideas for new connections, allowing Muni to take more people more places.  These changes will restore key pre-pandemic connections, preserve or restore Muni access in hilly areas and focus on access for people with disabilities

Celebrating Quicker Muni Trips on a Safer Geary By Amy Fowler The sky was gloomy but the mood was celebratory at the Japantown Peace Plaza on Wednesday. Fortunately, the rain stopped just long enough for the SFMTA, along with Mayor London Breed and other city departments and community members, to celebrate the completion of the  Geary Rapid Project . This major civic improvement project has helped to revitalize one of San Francisco’s busiest corridors between Market and Stanyan streets with more reliable bus service, safer streets, upgraded utilities and new trees. One safety improvement in particular was a much-anticipated addition for residents of the Fillmore, Japantown and St. Francis Square communities: a new signalized crosswalk at Geary and Buchanan . That and three other new crosswalks in the area are providing safer crossing opportunities for people walking and helping to reconnect neighborhoods that were divided by the Geary Expressway and “urban renewal” in the mid-twent

Street Transformations to Address COVID-19 Keep San Francisco Moving By Eillie Anzilotti A street closure in the Tenderloin as part of the COVID-19 response efforts. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many aspects of people’s lives have changed – including how we get around town. To reflect this new reality, the SFMTA pivoted in the way we design and operate our streets. From streets that prioritized people walking and bicycling in some of San Francisco’s major parks to Temporary Transit Lanes (TETLs) that protected Muni lines from the return of traffic congestion, San Francisco reimagined how streets could be used for people. We have documented some of these transformations in a new report that highlights emergency street operations, Temporary Emergency Transit Lanes , the Slow Streets Program , Tenderloin street closures and reusing streets within or close to parks for recreational purposes. Within each effort, the report touches on the ways in which city

Planning for Additional Muni Service in early 2022 By Erin McMillan The 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express waits for person crossing the street Over the past couple of months SFMTA staff have been reaching out for feedback on three alternatives for adding 10% more bus service in early 2022. And we heard you! SFMTA needs to focus on restoring service to provide key connections for people with disabilities and seniors, and that’s what we plan to do. We also heard that there is demand for improving frequency of high-ridership Muni lines to address crowding and wait times, which we'll do with any additional funds. While we plan for Muni service in early 2022, the city mandate that employees show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment will go into effect November 1. We are proud that 82% of SFMTA employees are now fully vaccinated. But if hundreds of our employees are still unvaccinated as of November 1 and   are put on leave or terminated,

18,000 Upgraded Parking Meters are Coming Citywide By Jessie Liang Beginning early next year, SFMTA will be replacing more than 18,000 parking meters throughout San Francisco. The parking meter hardware upgrade is taking place under a $70 million contract with MacKay Meters, Inc, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors. According to the agreement, more than half of the 28,000 paid parking spaces in San Francisco will see their meters replaced. With this project we expect to save an estimated $6 million in operating costs over the next decade.   The new meters will improve the user experience by providing a wider and brighter screen, accepting contactless payment, and allowing customers to receive a parking receipt via text message.   Many of the city’s parking meters and  paystations  purchased in 2014 are nearing the end of their useful life due to subsequent technology improvements and the age of the hardware. In addition, the existing meter hardware was equipped with outd

Sunday Streets Returns October 17, with Phoenix Day By Pamela Johnson For 13 years, the SFMTA and Livable City have brought "Sunday Streets" to San Francisco neighborhoods. Sunday Streets encourages communities to transform miles of car-congested streets into car-free spaces for neighbors to gather, kids to play, and for organizations and businesses to connect. On October 17, 2021, after more than 18 months of Covid-related shutdowns, Sunday Streets Phoenix Day will again bring free recreational activities, resources, and fun to the streets for tens of thousands of San Franciscans to enjoy. While Sunday Streets was celebrated in one neighborhood at a time in the past, this year's Phoenix Day spans various districts in the City for a simultaneous celebration of community, health, and resilience. This year's theme is "One City. One day. Rising together.”  Highlights this year include historic Sunday Streets SF routes, a 20+ mile community bike ride, three neighb

Focus on Muni Reliability and Street Safety for Proposed Bond Measure By Bonnie Jean von Krogh  L Taraval Bus passing by construction on Taraval Street Reliable transit and safe streets are essential to making San Francisco an equitable and just city. In these truly unprecedented times, the SFMTA has worked hard to sustain critical services and buy time for our revenues to recover before current federal relief funding runs out. But some investments in our transportation infrastructure just can’t wait. That’s why two mayoral transportation community task forces over the last eight years ( Transportation 2030 and Transportation 2045 ) recommended a General Obligation (GO) Bond. The city’s 10-Year Capital Plan calls for a Transportation GO bond on the June 2022 ballot. The bon d proposal focuses on your top priorities. It would keep Muni equipment and facilities working efficiently, provide quick and convenient transit access, improve Muni service for communities that depend on t

International Walk & Roll to School Day is October 6, 2021 By Christine Osorio Banner artwork created by Annika, an 8th grader at James Denman Middle School, as part of 2020 ’s Walk & Roll to School art contest On Wednesday, October 6, thousands of students across San Francisco will walk, bike, scoot and roll to school. Walking and rolling is a fun and healthy way for families to get to to the classroom. Schools also benefit from Walk & Roll because it eases traffic congestion around schools during drop off and pick up times. Hosted by the SF Safe Routes to School partnership, this event builds year-long excitement around getting to school in people-powered ways that are good for our health, environment and communities, as well as promoting COVID-19 safety. San Francisco Unified School District elementary classrooms will compete for the highest participation, with a prize package for the top 30 classrooms in the district. Middle and high school students: help get t

Employee Vaccination Update By As you may be aware, for the health and safety of City and County of San Francisco workers and the public, the city’s Department of Human Resources instituted a policy that all city employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1.  The SFMTA fully supports vaccination, as it has been proven to be the best tool to protect each other against the dangers of COVID-19. Since the vaccines received emergency approval at the end of 2020, we have been educating our employees about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, encouraging them to get vaccinated and providing them with opportunities to get vaccinated on work time.   Unfortunately, as of Sept. 30, we had 640 employees who were either unvaccinated or had not reported their vaccination status, which represents 11% of the SFMTA workforce.  If several hundred of our employees are still unvaccinated as of Nov. 1 and are terminated, it will significantly impact transit operations and parking control

Warriors Ticket Holders Ride for Free By Stephen Chun Calling all Warriors fans and Muni riders! As you know, an exciting preseason is underway, with the anticipated season opener scheduled to tip off in just a few weeks. As the Warriors look to a promising year with a committed staff and tenacious roster, it’s going to be an electrifying season for the six - - time NBA Champs. To catch these blue and (golden) yellow must-see games at 1 Warriors Way, consider taking Muni for free ! Your game ticket (electronic or physical) is your all-day Muni ticket. The ticket provides quick and free Muni for bus and light rail lines (but not cable cars), up until the end of the service day at 2 a.m. after the event.  Just show your ticket to the Station Agent or board through any door on our coaches. Muni uses  all-door boarding  across our system, so fans can board through any door and arrive quickly to the game! For the Muni Metro stations, if the booth is not occupied, proceed through the gat

J Church Pilot Eases Subway Congestion for Muni Metro By Jonathan Streeter In December 2020, the J Church returned as a surface-only route, much like its earliest predecessor, which opened in 1917.  Although the J Church travelled as far as the Embarcadero for more than 100 years, establishing Duboce Avenue as the terminal for this route as a test case was the result of careful analysis undertaken to improve the line’s poor reliability. This routing also allows us to address crowding and delays in the Muni Metro subway that plagued the system for decades. The J Church in 1926 Surface Route The J Church has historically had the lowest ridership of any Muni Metro line. Keeping it as a surface-only route should improve the J Church’s reliability and frequency, increase Muni Metro subway performance and reduce crowding. In addition, to enable the pilot we provided temporary accessibility and pedestrian safety upgrades at an intersection that is on the city’s High-Injury Network -- th

Essential Trip Card Program Provides Crucial Accommodations By Stephen Chun During a time of unprecedented uncertainty, we reflect on a very successful 18 months since the launch of our Essential Trip Card (ETC) program.  The ETC is administered through the SFMTA’s Paratransit program (SF Paratransit) which has provided door to door van and taxi (paratransit) services for more than 40 years to people who are unable to independently use Muni, for some, all the time, because of a disability or disabling health condition.   In response to the Muni service reductions in April 2020, the ETC program was launched to provide seniors and persons with disabilities with safe and door-to-door taxi service to essential services during the pandemic as a supplement to the existing Muni service. Such essential trips include grocery shopping, pharmacy visits, medical treatments, and later, vaccination appointments. Once enrolled, ETC participants receive a monthly taxi subsidy of $60 (for a $12 c

Late Night Metro and More J Church Service Starts October 2, 2021 By Mariana Maguire Muni Metro train running a nightly route. On Saturday October 2, Muni Metro service will be extended to run until midnight on weekdays and Saturdays due to an increase in evening demand, and to better align with BART late night service. Muni Metro will continue to operate until 10 p.m. on Sundays. The new Muni Metro hours will be: Weekdays: 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. Sundays: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Last Metro trips on the KT Ingleside-Third , M Oceanview and N Judah will depart from their various neighborhood stops between approximately 11:30 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. in order to service the subway by midnight. J Church Muni Metro service operating between San Jose and Geneva avenues and Church and Duboce streets will also be extended until midnight. Please check schedules for last trip times for your Muni Metro line. Frequency Improvements on J Church In addition, the J Church w