Category: reflection

Baby Kimmy and mom Shirley spotted on an inbound M-Ocean View.

Jackelyn is out surveying the scene on Muni ahead of Game 1. Above and below are some shots she captured.

Not crowded just yet, but the energy is off the charts!

The crowds on an inbound T-Third around 230 p.m.

Below, from @ChrisGembinski, “Even Muni is cheering on @SFGiants”

AgentAkit took the next photo in 2002, the last time the Giants went to the World Series. Of course, Muni Diaries hadn’t been launched at that time. And some of you probably didn’t live in SF yet.

Akit says, “On the second night [of the ’02 series], the train going home was crowded, but someone on the train started singing ‘Bye Bye Baby’ and everyone on the train sung along.” Sadly, that Giants team ended up losing the World Series.

Check out these photos of Giants fans on Muni from last weekend, when the team won the National League pennant. If you have pictures of Giants fans on Muni before or after today’s game, send them our way!

And here’s hoping Muni runs smoothly (heh) and the Giants do a better job this time!

Photo by stubbornbeauty

With the upcoming election and a contentious Muni ballot measure, there’s a lot of talk on what can be done to improve our transit riding experience. So, what’s on your Muni wish list?

The last time we asked you the same question in March last year, you told us that on-time performance, more frequent services, and a fix for backdoor boarding were on the top of your list. This time around, do you have new wishes or solutions that you think should be considered?

For me, after my recent trip to Rome, on the top of my wish list is increased frequency for buses and trains. In my version of nirvana, the funding/operation for that would come from a combination of state and federal funding. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

So, tell us, what would you wish for if a genie popped out of a bottle you found on Muni?

Photo by 0x0000org

When we returned from our honeymoon, everything in my purse that wasn’t a foreign ticket stub or Euro coin looked funny. That includes my work badge, our woefully monochrome U.S. currency, and my Clipper card. Even though it also got to enjoy a three-week break, it completely failed me on my first commute to work, indicating that, 1) Vacation Brain is contagious and will rub off on your possessions, or 2) a bunch of things conspired to go pretty effing wrong. So, here’s my cautionary tale, should you find yourself in a similar sitch.

1. Tara exits turnstiles at 24th and Mission BART station after a sleepy ride back from SFO. Clipper cash balance falls below threshold; Autoload triggered, just as it should.

2. On first commute back to work two days later, BART turnstiles say “see agent.” Agent shows, on his little machine thingie, a message that says, “BAD DEBT” (all caps, very scary). A customer-service call is in order. BART ticket must be purchased. (I am Tara’s boiling fit of not-really-contained public rage.)

3. Clipper Rep #1 says there’s nothing wrong with the account. Maybe the card itself is broken, she suggests? Add Fare machines couldn’t read it, so this seemed likely. (How much will it cost me if I don’t get a new card right away? Will I get a refund? I am Tara’s frustrated, tearful self-pity.)

4. Tara calls Clipper back to say, yes, something must be wrong with the card. Clipper Rep #2 checks into it further, and, at some point, mentions the last four digits of the credit card on file. This is an old card that does not exist! Ah: Clipper Rep #2 says this is why I have “bad debt,” triggered by the Autoload a couple days ago. But! It was updated! (Right? Hmm…)

5. Tara learns that she did, in fact, update her information in July. Tip: Always ALWAYS keep confirmation emails from Clipper when you update information; they contain reference numbers that should help if/when they don’t know what you’re talking about. She makes third call to Clipper that morning. (I am Tara’s violently flashing incompetency-radar.)

6. Clipper Rep #3 has no idea what Tara is talking about with this “bad debt” and “card not working” business. Everything looks fine, just as it did to Clipper Rep #1. No, no. Something is wrong. Look harder. Tara eventually gets the equivalent of, “Oh, there it is.” Info was updated correctly by the user, but it failed to be processed by Clipper.

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