In a long-overdue step, SFMTA is now painting bus and streetcar lanes red to make it obvious that they are transit only. Last year’s project to paint the lanes on Church Street was a big success, so SFMTA is now extending the red lanes citywide.
SFCTA staff are recommending a $150K preliminary study of the proposed Fisherman’s Wharf extension of the Central Subway, advocated by Rescue Muni and many other community leaders in the SF NEXTSTOP coalition. This is a great first step towards realizing the vision of a Central Subway that serves North Beach and the Wharf; it will give the public a much clearer idea of the cost and time required to build it.
Update: The proposal is dead, according to MTA Director Ed Rieskin. All the more reason to keep Sunday parking meters!
It seems like the SFMTA can’t give up on the desire to soak tourists on the F-line. The $6 special F-line fare is still on the table, with a possibly over $4m in revenue on the table for the agency. There are two ways the agency is proposing to make this money grab: Hit the riders with $6 all at once, or gradually increment the fare a $1 per year, like trying to boil to frog.
Opposition runs deep on this proposal. The SFMTA CAC voted with a recommendation to strike down the idea during their March meeting, and SFMTA board chair Tom Nolan went as far to say “We are not going to do that.” For now the idea still lives on, since ideas like rescinding Sunday Parking along with free rides for seniors, disabled, and 18 year olds are still proposed budget line items.
What isn’t included in this budget is what Muni’s union will be asking for, since the TWU 250-A members went without raises during the last budget cycle. Those negotiations will occur after the budget is closed and signed, leaving the agency up in the air as to if it can really afford to keep fares low, provide free service to those who qualify, and expand service 10%.
SFMTA has a series of proposed transit and streetscape changes for the important Ninth and Irving intersection, where thousands of riders board and alight daily for the N-Judah, and the 44-O’Shaughnessy also passes by. We urge all transit riders to review and comment! In general the proposals are very good, improving travel time and pedestrian safety.
We do recommend the option to include cycle tracks as bicycling on Muni trackways is dangerous.
Please submit your comments to SFMTA in favor of this proposal!