Category: News

Photo by Lynn Friedman

• Bay Area Clipper card users top 1 million (SF Examiner)
• Two Muni Muggings Reported Sunday (BCN via SF Appeal)
• It Ain’t Easy Being Muni (Huffington Post San Francisco)
• Ride Muni Free On New Year’s Eve (SFist)
• SF officer pepper-sprayed during scuffle with Muni rider (KTVU News)
• Bay Area transit projects lose out on federal cash (SF Examiner)
• Muni police cracking down on fare cheats (Nevius at SFGate)
• Starting in 2012, Aaron Bialick Will Be Steering Streetsblog SF (Streetsblog SF) Congrats, Aaron!

Photo by torbakhopper

• BART to extend hours, provide special service on New Year’s Eve (BART.gov)
• Two More People Mugged On Muni Last Weekend (SF Appeal)
• Outspoken cable car operator Eric Williams to lead transit union (SF Examiner)
• Mayor Ed Lee defends big payout to Muni drivers (SFGate)
• BART Police To Up Patrols In Downtown SF Stations, Offer East Bay Escorts (SF Appeal)
• BART Elects New Board President (SF Appeal)
• SFMTA director lists agency’s accomplishments in year-end letter (SF Examiner)

Photo by Steve Rhodes

Muni rider Matt witnessed yet another blatant phone theft on Muni last week:

A young woman’s iPhone was stolen [last Tuesday] by two young men on the 38L outbound bus. The victim was seated in the third seat on the same side as the door, between the second door and the accordion section. The taller of the two men snatched her iPhone and ran off at the Fillmore stop at approximately 8:15-8:20 pm.

The noted modus operandi seems to be operating in pairs and stake out their victim by standing near or in front of the potential mark near the door with frequent texting on older non-smartphone phones, making frequent eye contacts with each other. They seem to frequently target women who are distracted or using their phone during non-commute hours.

Other passengers soon informed the driver of what happened, but the driver said he could not do anything since the victim is gone. He called central and reported the incident.

Matt described the thieves as two young black men, one overweight with some facial hair and the other tall and lanky, both wearing all black. This was one of the string of phone thefts on Muni, so use common sense and be aware of your environment!

p.s. Here’s some information from SFPD on how to file a police report.

Photo by M. J. Kelley

• San Francisco coughs up $8M in Muni health costs (SF Examiner)
• SFMTA Votes To Make Nx Judah Express Bus Permanent, Let It Run Later (SF Appeal)
• SFMTA CFO, Prop A Revenue bonds for critical upgrades approved (Rescue Muni)
• SFMTA authorizes $170 million in revenue bonds (SF Examiner)
• Contract awarded to build BART in Santa Clara County (SFGate)
• SF supervisors to Muni management: Get your act together (City Insider)
• BART copper theft: SF man held after home searched (SFGate)
• SFMTA in no rush to add new express bus routes in San Francisco (SF Examiner)
• Muni budget outlook dims (SF Examiner)
• List: Why BART Might Cut Your Cell Service (humor) (SF Weekly)

It’s time to pay it forward for San Francisco photographer and Muni Diaries friend Julie Michelle.

Muni Diaries readers have enjoyed Julie’s work in the last three years. The beloved local photographer runs I Live Here:SF, the project that started out as an open invitation to simply practice portrait photography. The project has become a great documentation of the people of San Francisco and has resulted in gallery shows, a book, and a community.

Julie’s life partner Lee suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, and her photo subjects are banding together to help.

Julie Michelle of ILiveHereSF.com needs some help. Lee, her partner of many years had a massive stroke recently. We’re throwing a fundraiser event to help them get a handle on the massive expenses that come along with getting sick these days.

Come to a fundraising party at the San Francisco Motorcycle Club (shot by Julie Michelle here) on Sunday the 18th from 3:00 to 7:00. There will music, drinks, good people, and a raffle. Donations will be gladly accepted in person, but if you can’t make the event, there is a ChipIn campaign already running here.

The outpouring of support for Julie is a testament to the wonderful community she’s built through photography. If anything, come and meet some fellow San Franciscans who love our city as much as you.

Here are some of our favorite photos (featuring Muni, of course!) taken by Julie.