Yesterday’s Chronicle reported that the first day of service with Muni’s new schedule and route patterns went largely smoothly, with the MTA claiming that service was running smoothly, at least on Saturday. And Mayor Newsom (or his staff) submitted an item on it to Sunday’s Examiner. SFist also covered this. Any word on how it has been on the first commute day with the new schedule?
A reminder to everyone: MTA service changes take effect on Saturday, December 5. Don’t forget to review the list to see what happens to your line. The Chronicle also has a story.
Then take a look at the always entertaining Muni Diaries for reader-submitted obituaries for the lines being discontinued. Best so far: “89 Laguna Honda. Your obituary should be as short as you.”
The MTA has at last announced details of service changes to take effect December 5. Some of these are cuts due to the recent budget problems, but there are also many changes that are the result of the multi-year Transit Effectiveness Project, including added limited service on Potrero/San Bruno (new 9L), Mission (14L and 14X), Geary (38L), Haight/Noriega (71L), and the long awaited extension of the 5 downtown at all hours. However, several lines will be cut entirely: 4-Sutter, 7-Haight, 20-Columbus, 26-Valencia, 53-Southern Heights, and Muni’s shortest line, 89-Laguna Honda.
Take a look at the new service plan and give us your thoughts.
In what will surprise nobody at all, the MTA has found in a recent study that “nearly 10 percent” of Muni riders don’t pay. With a 10% fare evasion rate, the potential annual revenue from stricter enforcement could be as much as $17 million per year – not enough to do away with the annual deficit, but enough to prevent more service cuts. (We are strong supporters of stricter fare enforcement, along with extending parking meter hours, which will also help prevent service cuts.) SFist is also discussing this today.
Update: Supervisor Dufty has scheduled a hearing on fare evasion as well as crime on Muni.
Update 10/22: The Examiner has an editorial on the subject.
Twitter has been busy today with tweets about major Muni Metro delays due to a car wreck, manual operations, and a recent Nobel Peace Prize winner coming to town. The SF Appeal also has coverage. Before you leave work, check Next Muni particularly if you’re riding the subway!