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It’s Electric! Battery Buses Then and Now By Jeremy Menzies Battery-electric buses and cars have been hitting the streets around the nation in recent years, and here in San Francisco, the SFMTA is currently running a pilot program to test battery powered buses across the system. The pilot analyzes not only the buses themselves, but also how the technology works in the real world of stop-and-go traffic and hill-climbing.    Surprising as it may seem, this pilot program is not the first time battery electric buses appeared on the streets of SF. Here’s a look back at one test that took place over 50 years ago.  While battery electric vehicles date back nearly 200 years to the 1830s, it took over a century for them to see widespread commercial success due to the limitations of the battery technology.  One of the first times Muni tested a battery-powered bus was in November 1972.  Dubbed the “Electrobus”, this small vehicle was tested on the 39 Coit route...

Taken with Transportation Podcast: Celebrating Culture and Community on a Cable Car By SFMTA staffers celebrate the launch ride of the 2023 Filipino American History Cable Car. Specially decorated cable cars climb the hills of San Francisco throughout the year in honor of different communities, cultures and history months. These cars help us celebrate the diversity of our staff and of the city as a whole, and the latest episode of Taken with Transportation , “Celebrating Culture and Community on a Cable Car,” takes you on board.  The program is the brainchild of SFMTA Cable Car Division Manager Fred Butler, who came up with the idea in early 2022. “We’d normally decorate a car for the Lunar New Year, and I sat back and was like, ‘We should do something for every type of person that’s here at the agency’,” Butler says. “And seeing that February was, you know, Black History Month, I said, ‘Let’s do a Black History car’.”  Butler worked with the agency’s Office of Racial Equ...

Temporary Parking Changes Will Support Valencia Street Businesses By Melissa Culross   Cars, bicycles and delivery vehicles all share space along Valencia Street. Photo credit: Shayda Haghgoo, SFMTA.   Valencia Street is home to one of the city's most eclectic and culturally diverse sets of restaurants, shops, nightlife and essential services. The heavily traveled corridor attracts residents and visitors of all ages and interests who get there by walking, biking, rolling and driving.   As part of our work to make Valencia Street safe and inviting for everyone, we’re making some temporary changes to our loading zones beginning this week to create more general parking on the corridor during the holiday season. These changes will help customers who drive patronize Valencia businesses while keeping the street safe for people on foot, bicycles and scooters. Small businesses are an important part of all that makes San Francisco the incredibly special city that it is, ...

Celebrating SFMTA Staff for a Successful APEC Conference in San Francisco By Michael Roccaforte San Francisco has officially wrapped up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting after an exciting week that put the city on the world stage. We’d like to take a moment to recognize the staff from across our agency who spent countless hours and brought their expertise to make APEC a success. It was truly all-hands-on-deck for this effort, and everyone who works at the SFMTA deserves credit for showing why we are a world-class transportation network.  SFMTA security and Parking Control Officers played a key role in creating safe conditions for the APEC conference . The restricted areas around the conference zones were carefully coordinated with our street engineers and planners to make sure everyone who attended could remain safe. Our sign shop brought those plans to life with the signage to tell people which areas were closed to traffic. Parking Control Officers ...

Take Muni to Enjoy San Francisco During APEC By Mariana Maguire Muni can get you to all corners of San Francisco while the APEC conference keeps the city bustling. San Francisco is set to welcome global leaders for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting on Saturday, November 11. The city will be thriving with activities, so residents and visitors who wish to avoid downtown congestion can take Muni, SF Paratransit or  use the SFMTA’s bicycle network  to enjoy the city’s many unique neighborhoods. Given that much of San Francisco’s cultural heritage was born of immigrant communities from APEC countries and beyond, you can get into the spirit of APEC by exploring some of the sights and flavors of the world right here at home.  San Francisco’s culturally distinct and uniquely beautiful neighborhoods are what make the city a world class destination!  SF.gov’s Perfect San Francisco Days series  is designed to help you explore some of the best the city has to offer....

How to Get to Chase Center During APEC By Janice Tan Heading to Chase Center during APEC? Muni is your ride. Here’s what you need to know.  San Francisco is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference between November 11 and 17. This will require temporary changes beginning November 13 to Muni routes to Chase Center, potentially causing delays.  If you’re heading to a Warriors game or to the Lauryn Hill & The Fugees concert during this time, plan ahead with this information and allow extra time for travel. Remember, your Chase Center event ticket is your fare— no additional Muni fare needed! Muni, walking and bicycling are the best ways to avoid parking and traffic headaches.   T Third and K Ingleside Muni Metro stops from Balboa Park to Embarcadero to Sunnydale will be served by a temporary KT Ingleside-Third Muni Metro from November 13-19. This includes Embarcadero at Folsom and Brannan, and King at 2nd and 4th streets.   Riders s...

Taken with Transportation Podcast: More than a Meter Maid By Michael Roccaforte SFMTA Parking Control Officers Scott Ong and Todd Baxter inspect a car to make sure its Disabled Person Parking Placard is compliant.  One of the most misunderstood roles at the SFMTA is that of the Parking Control Officer, or PCO. In this episode of our Taken with Transportation podcast , host Melissa Culross spends time on the streets of San Francisco with PCOs Scott Ong, Todd Baxter and Ruben Reveles, as well as Parking Enforcement Assistant Director and Captain Kent Chiu. She learns why parking enforcement is essential, what parking control officers do and discovers that they are much more than just so-called "meter maids."   People often overlook the fact that PCOs help the public access parking. One violation that comes up in the episode is the misuse of Disabled Person Parking Placards. That happens when a driver uses a placard that was not issued to them.  “These spaces are…t...

Speed Safety Cameras are Coming to San Francisco with New State Law By Shannon Hake On October 13, 2023, Governor Newsom signed California State Assembly Bill 645 into law, allowing six cities, including San Francisco, to pilot a speed safety camera program. This pilot is an opportunity for San Francisco to employ a powerful traffic safety tool that has been used successfully across the world. More than 200 cities in the United States have implemented speed safety cameras, including New York City which reported 70% fewer traffic deaths and injuries where speed cameras are installed. Portland, Oregon experienced a 46% decrease in traffic deaths and 85% decrease in excessive speeds after implementing an automated speed safety program.   Unsafe speed is the number one factor in fatal traffic crashes in San Francisco, accounting for 20% to 40% of traffic deaths in recent years. For over a decade, San Francisco has been advocating for additional tools, like speed safety cameras...

APEC is Coming to SF! What You Need to Know to Get Around By Mariana Maguire Map of the main security zone around the APEC conference at Moscone Center, with vehicle detours. Security zones have been set and are managed by the United States Secret Service. Only conference attendees and those who live or work inside this zone will be allowed to enter following security screening procedures. San Francisco is proud to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in November, one of the largest gatherings of global leaders in San Francsico. This is an exciting opportunity for San Francisco to shine on the world stage. Most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods. Due to the scale of the gathering, APEC may have some impacts on travel in other areas of San Francisco as well. The bulk of the travel and transit impacts will take place from Nov. 14-19. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this historic conference, in...

Lime and Spin Host Adaptive Scooter Event in Golden Gate Park with SFMTA Support By We are proud to support Lime and Spin as the companies host a dedicated adaptive scooter event in front of Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Oct. 17 from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The initiative is another step toward ensuring a more inclusive and accessible transportation ecosystem for San Francisco's residents and visitors. Adaptive scooters, equipped with features such as wider bases, seating and additional wheels, are designed to cater to riders with various mobility needs. They may be particularly useful to those who find traditional scooters challenging to ride.  People will have the chance to get hands-on experience with a range of adaptive scooters from both Lime and Spin at this event. There are expected to be at least 10 vehicles for riders to test out and provide feedback.   A two-wheeled adaptive scooter with a seat from Lime (left) and a three-wheeled adaptive scoot...

Hop on Board: Experience the Magic of Trolley Dances By Jeanne Brophy Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure that combines the beauty of dance with the charm of San Francisco's iconic trolley cars? Mark your calendars for the Epiphany Dance Company’s 20th annual Trolley Dances event on October 21 and 22.   This free event is great fun for all. You’ll be able to explore the city and witness the magic of dance in unexpected places—while taking advantage of San Francisco's efficient and easy to navigate transit system.  What Are Trolley Dances?   Now in its 20th season, SF Trolley Dances is a unique event that brings together seven dance companies and the city's public transit system. It's a rich and different experience that highlights the city's vibrant culture and artistic spirit. It’s free,  however capacity is limited so you will want to reserve a spot now at their website ( epiphanydance.org/san-francisco-trolley-dances/ ). This year’s event will...

Taken with Transportation Podcast: School Days By SFMTA School Crossing Guard Arturo Garcia helps pedestrians across Castro Street outside McKinley Elementary School. A successful school day begins with students getting to class safely, and school crossing guards help San Francisco children and their parents navigate intersections near their campuses. “School Days,” the latest episode of the Taken with Transportation podcast, is focused on our School Crossing Guard program. This is part of the agency's larger effort to create safe and inviting streets. This school year, we have 180 crossing guards serving 106 public and private schools across about 154 intersections in San Francisco.  Host Melissa Culross offers listeners a firsthand look at the program by interviewing school crossing guards Christian Frederick Lauser and Arturo Garcia in action. She also speaks with the School Crossing Guard Program’s acting manager, Karen Wong, and others.  Lauser is a San Francisco n...

What’s Next for the Hayes Street Weekend Street Closure By Monica Munowitch San Francisco established the Shared Spaces program during the pandemic to make it possible for restaurants and neighborhood business districts, like Hayes Street, to have additional outdoor space in the form of parklets, sidewalk space and block closures they so desperately needed when it wasn’t safe to operate indoors. In addition to bringing people outdoors, it also brought people together, creating community and delight throughout our city. That’s why the Mayor and Board of Supervisors made Shared Spaces a permanent program to allow for outdoor dining and activations that will continue to support our businesses and commercial corridors and enliven our public spaces.   This Summer, the Hayes Valley Merchant Council applied for a permit to continue their Hayes Street “Shared Street” block closure every weekend, including Fridays 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m....

SFMTA Projects Honored as Exemplars of Community Engagement By Che Harmon Ambassadors helping people at Union Square Station on opening day of free weekend shuttle service in Central Subway, November 19, 2022. The Central Subway and the Potrero Yard Modernization Project were both nationally recognized by the International Association for Public Participation at the IAP2 USA Core Values Awards in Seattle, Washington this September. Each year, the awards go to projects that demonstrate public engagement best practices and advance the field of public engagement.   Both the Central Subway Project and Potrero Yard Modernization Project are prime examples of the positive effects that community engagement and effective public participation can have on public projects and programs. Both projects embody IAP2’s core values centered on the belief that the people affected by a decision have a right to be involved in decision-making and participate in shaping outcomes.   Central Subw...

New Rebate Programs Will Help Taxis Go Electric By Asher Eskind We are proud to announce the launch of two groundbreaking rebate programs to spearhead efforts to reduce vehicle emissions in the city's taxi industry. Supported by a generous grant of nearly $350,000 from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District  (BAAQMD) and the San Francisco County Transportation Authority  (TA), these initiatives represent a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly transportation landscape. Clean Air Taxi Rebate: Accelerating the Shift to Electric Taxis Building on its success since the program’s inception in 2012, the Clean Air Taxi Rebate program has been instrumental in reducing emissions from San Francisco's taxi industry. Low-emission vehicles comprise over 90% of the city's taxi fleet, making it one of the cleanest in the nation.  Now, the SFMTA is taking a bold step forward to transition to a completely zero-emission taxi fleet. Under the Clean Air Taxi R...

Dominica Henderson Appointed to MTA Board of Directors By The SFMTA is thrilled to welcome Dominica Henderson to its Board of Directors. Director Henderson is a longtime public servant who has worked to improve housing policy in the Bayview community and create affordable housing opportunities for those in need. She was appointed in July and sworn in on September 26, 2023.   A lifelong San Franciscan and resident of the Bayview neighborhood, Director Henderson’s goal as a member of the board is to advance a safe and equitable transportation network for all districts and communities in the city. She also shares a surprising connection with the agency, as her grandfather was a Muni and cable car operator for close to 25 years. Henderson considers both her lived experience and 20-year career in housing policy as key attributes in advocating for public transit initiatives and for developing safe, welcoming and sustainable communities.   Director Henderson is the Chi...

Go Local. Muni Supports Small Businesses. By Sophia Scherr An illustration for one of the featured neighborhood districts supporting the Take Muni to Support Small Business campaign, Artwork created by Dan Bransfield. This week we are launching a campaign encouraging residents and visitors to take Muni to support San Francisco small businesses. The “Go Local” campaign is centered around defining the personalities of several neighborhood business districts, highlighting what makes them unique and promoting the benefits of taking Muni to shop, dine and explore.   Economic Boost  When you choose Muni for your daily commute or to explore the city, you're directly contributing to our local economy. Small businesses thrive when customers can easily access their shops, restaurants and services, as many of them rely on foot traffic and local patronage. By opting to take Muni, you're helping these businesses grow, create jobs and continue to enrich our city.   Climate C...

Taken with Transportation Podcast: Transit Month on Muni By September is Transit Month in the Bay Area and on the latest episode of Taken with Transportation, the official SFMTA podcast, host Melissa Culross talks with Muni riders in multiple neighborhoods who use our buses, streetcars and light rail vehicles as their principal means of transportation.   “I just absolutely loathe driving, and the Muni gets me somewhere that I don’t have to drive,” says Erin Livingston, who has lived in San Francisco for almost a decade. “I have such fond memories of days that I had nothing to do, and me and my friends just kind of bopped around, and we took the Muni to one neighborhood and then took it another … and I think Muni is so quintessentially San Francisco.”  “My family still doesn’t drive, I don’t drive,” San Francisco native Jennifer Borromeo says. “I’m so happy that I have a transportation system that’s reliable, something I can easily navigate with my parents as they’re ...

Reimagine Potrero Yard: View Latest Designs By Bonnie Jean von Krogh Rendering of Bryant and 17th Streets intersection. Image: Arcadis IBI Group  We are reimagining the SFMTA’s Potrero Yard as the nation’s first known joint development of a bus maintenance facility with integrated housing and retail. Please join us at a Community Open House today, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, to learn more about the Potrero Yard Modernization Project including updated designs, economic development opportunities and the public art plan.   Community Open House   Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 5:30 p.m. (TODAY)  Z Space, 450 Florida St, San Francisco, CA  Bus Yard tours for all ages, childcare and dinner provided Español  - Jornada Comunitaria, Miércoles 20 de septiembre de 2023 a las 5:30 p.m. Z Space, 450 Florida Street, San Francisco, CA. Tour de Yarde de autobuses para todas las edades, Cuidado de niños, Cena. Located at Bryant and Mariposa Streets, Potrero...

Muni Heritage Weekend Brings History Alive By Jeremy Menzies Take a ride back in time and explore transit history at Muni Heritage Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, September 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This years’ festivities combine free rides on heritage buses and streetcars, with special cable car service and activities to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the cable cars . The action will come together in the plaza across from the San Francisco Railway Museum on Steuart Street between Market and Mission Streets.  Vintage Bus Rides  Pulling out for the weekend will be several vintage trolleys and motor buses that will run on two new, never-before offered excursion loops. Trolley coach buffs will get a chance to ride on three different buses running a special Cable Car 150th Anniversary commemoration route over Nob Hill. This route follows in the footsteps of San Francisco’s very first cable car line from 1873.  Four motor buses from 20 to 85 years old will dr...

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...

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 p...