Pick an Exciting Name for Muni’s Boring Machine

central subway
Photo by Steve Rhodes

The machines that will build the Central Subway tunnels need a name, and the SFMTA is asking you to vote on names of prominent San Francisco women to bestow on the machines for good luck.

Your choices:

  • Big Alma
  • Juana
  • Mom Chung
  • Firebelle Lil
  • Mary Ellen

These machines will excavate and construct the Central Subway’s northbound and southbound tunnels, traveling from SOMA through Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach.

I must admit that I didn’t know much about these prominent women of San Francisco, and at first I misread “boring” for “uninteresting” (also known as Movies Starring Jennifer Aniston).  To clarify, the voting website has more information about these women. This morning, @bartdiaries told me that “Anyone who doesn’t vote for Big Alma is a damned fool and should have their voting rights taken away.” You can decide for yourself and vote for your favorite two names at the Central Subway website.

Bus pass on your phone? There’s an app for that

turnstile
Photo by Eric Fischer

Not to get your hopes too high, but check this out: Boston’s MBTA is the first municipal transit agency to introduce ticketing via smartphone. From the Atlantic’s Cities blog:

Earlier this week, the agency passed the million-dollar milestone selling single, 10-trip and one-month passes for its commuter rail system through the new app, offering a proof of concept for an idea that could expand soon to buses and metro service and other cities. …

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Chicago Transit: One disgusting slap in the face

socks
Photo by terremonto

So, you think you have a nasty commute? Last month, a transit rider in Chicago called police after a fellow passenger smacked her across the face with a sock full of poop. Screaming and covered in feces, the woman chased after her attacker, but he ended up escaping.

The woman told the Post-Tribune that the attack occurred without warning and described it as the “biggest degradation” she’d ever experienced, so bad that she would have preferred he’d hit her instead.

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Transit News: Fed dollars for transit, Muni cameras aid robbery arrest, Muni’s costly overtime

news1
Photo by cbcastro

  • Transit benefits package unexpectedly included in fiscal cliff deal (SF Examiner)
  • Muni takes note of success of holiday week service reduction (SF Examiner)
  • Stronger Clipper card privacy policy under review (Bay Citizen)
  • Muni Surveillance Cameras Help Nab Alleged Robbery Ring (SF Appeal)
  • Corporate Shuttle Crowds Out Muni Bus (SF Weekly)
  • Muni arrives in S.F.’s top overtime spot (Matier and Ross, SF Gate)
  • BART Independent Police Auditor to hold community forum on Jan. 29 (BART.gov)
  • Ratings for BART on-time performance, seat cleanliness rise in latest customer satisfaction survey (BART.gov)

Your Weekend Transit Advisory: 49ers playoff game, tree festival

The San Francisco 49ers got jealous that the Giants stole the spotlight in 2010, and are all, “Hey, we’re good, too, ya know?” Yeah, we know. They made the playoffs in 2012, you guys!

49ers Football Playoff Game
On Saturday the San Francisco 49ers will host a divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. The kickoff will take place at 5:15 p.m. For more details, please visit www.49ers.com. Gates to the parking lot will open at 1 p.m. and gates to the stadium will open at 3 p.m.

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Muni Houdini? Bus Accident in Bayview Thursday Morning (update)

t third muni accident

Update (10 a.m., Friday):
How did the bus end up on the sidewalk Thursday morning? From SFMTAs spokeperson Paul Rose:

The operator lost control of his vehicle and jumped the curb. Four people were taken to the hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries. The SFMTA and SFPD are investigating to determine the specific cause of the accident. The operator has been placed on non-driving status per standard procedure pending completion of the investigation.

Original post:
A Muni accident this morning caused outbound delays in Bayview on Third and Palou, and we still don’t know how the bus ended up on the sidewalk. This photo came from reader ZA and Ariel D.

Another photo via Twitter:

bus_trapped
Photo by @tweetsfromtheT

From @tweetsfromtheT:

Outbound T delay @ Palou due to #muni accident. 7:32 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013

We hope no one was injured. And also, WTF? We’ve asked the SFMTA for the latest and will update you as soon as we find out.

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