Your place to share stories on and off the bus.
Photo via SFAppeal
Photo by Thomas Subtil
Blink again, is that a giraffe trying to squeeze into BART there? Photographers Thomas Subtil and Clarisse Rebotier have imagined what the Paris metro would look like if zoo animals took it over.
In their photo series, a lion passes through the turnstile, another giraffe cranes its neck to see the view from the train, and an elephant gracefully rides the subway with a tiny bird on its back. You can see all the photos in the gallery here.
Another favorite:
Prefer real animals? Browse through our Animals on Muni page – some seem more surreal than others.
Via Mashable.
I’m speechless at this patriotic outfit seen here on Muni via haitchchamp on Instagram, who noted that the union jack socks are a nice touch (agreed).
By the way, are those open-toe Converse-like sandals? Just wondering.
photo by @ashleybsnyder
BART’s new train cars are on display today at Justin Herman Plaza from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can swing by to take a look at the new design, which is slated to go into service in 2017, according to the SF Appeal. Take a virtual tour yourself in this video captured by Oakland Tribune’s @Tyska.
BART says that the new train cars have a couple of new features:
Quieter: “micro-plug” doors will help seal out noise
Cooler: cooling systems will distribute air directly to the ceilings, making it more comfortable for standees on hot days
Comfortable: padded seats will have lumbar support and will be covered with wipeable fabric for ease of cleaning
Easy to use: routes will be color coded like the BART system map, and next stop information will be readily available via automated announcements and digital screens
In another video by @Tyska, people in wheelchair test out the new BART car design.
Read more
SFMTA approved a two-year budget that might result in an increase in Muni fares but allows drivers to park for free again. The free Sunday meters means that the agency is giving up about $11 million in annual revenue, reports SFGate.
The panel voted unanimously to scrap Sunday parking charges, setting up another showdown at the Board of Supervisors when it considers the MTA budget. The members also voted to prioritize expanded service to low-income seniors and youths, banking on some of a $15 million surplus the agency has, and delayed some planned fare increases.
More about those fare increases via the Examiner:
The transit agency’s approved two-year budget also calls for a Muni single-trip fare increase of a quarter to $2.25, a 10 percent boost in service systemwide and expanding the free Muni for low- and moderate-income youth into a permanent program that includes 18-year-olds. These and a bevy of other changes will go into effect July 1, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors. The budget is set to increase to $943.2 million next fiscal year and $962.6 million the following year.
Photo via @JimMcNutty
Officials have confirmed that the woman who was under the BART train yesterday evening had jumped in front of it, but that she survived, according to SFAppeal. At about 4:50 p.m. on Monday, we got word via Twitter from witnesses that Montgomery station was closed due to a medical emergency. BART was single-tracked and bypassed Montgomery station, which reopened around 6:15 p.m. There were massive crowds at other stations. Traffic above ground was also delayed.
From SF Appeal:
Investigators used witness statements and video to reach the conclusion that the woman jumped from the platform shortly before 5 p.m., BART police Lt. Paul Kwon said. The woman was taken to San Francisco General Hospital but Kwon did not know the extent of her injuries.
SFWeekly says that the woman was treated for head injuries but was still talking. She’s expected to survive.