Category: News

Photo by Flickr user _lmc

This short week sure did pack quite a punch. Four-day weeks often remind of us what’s left in the juicer’s reservoir — condensed everything, and not too savory.

Anyhow, Muni seems to have held up fairly well, all things considered. Here’s a look back at the week in Muni news:

– Muni Weighs How to Restore Service If It Gets the Chance (StreetsblogSF)
– Muni budget still in limbo (City Insider)
– SFMTA Board Urges Board of Supervisors to Put Revenue Measure on Ballot (StreetsblogSF)
– Cyclist collides with F-Market streetcar (SF Examiner)

And looking ahead to this weekend, the SFMTA advises of the Union Street Fair, which will take place from 10 to 6 Saturday and Sunday. It will affect service on the 22-Fillmore, 30-Stockton, and 45-Union/Stockton in the Union/Fillmore area. The Statuto Race on Sunday will affect 39-Coit service Stockton/North Point vicinity. And on Saturday, the Saint Boniface Church Anniversary will detour service on the 5-Fulton in the Golden Gate/Leavenworth area.

Once this paste known as humidity lightens up, please breathe again. And have a great weekend!

Photo by adamjackson1984

Photo by angryf

Photo by Brandon Doran

Photo by 邪恶的正太

Despite the fact that Warren G. Harding died here in 1923 (of pneumonia) and Gerald Ford suffered an assassination attempt (Sarah Jane Moore, released from prison in 2007) here in 1975, Barack Obama is pressing his luck and visiting Baghdad by the Bay tomorrow.

Why do we care? Well, not only are we still wearing our Obama T-shirt (hey, it’s almost laundry day!), but this presidential visit will cause some minor Muni disruptions. Street closures from 11 a.m. Tuesday to noon Wednesday include:

· 4th Street from Market Street to Mission Street
· Mission Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street

Affecting service on:

· 8X /AX/BX Bayshore Express
· 14 Mission
· 14 L Mission Limited
· 14 X Mission Express
· 30 Stockton
· 45 Union-Stockton
· 91 Owl

Feel free to line up along the route and ask for a public-transit bailout.

Photo by Flickr user catbagan

This week sure has seen an onslaught against Muni operators. First, we had the mayor slamming the TWU for not agreeing to a set of budget-reducing concessions. Then, on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors-commissioned audit of Muni found that excessive overtime and other employee behaviors are costing the agency (and thus by extension, you and me) millions of dollars. Though, it should be noted, not nearly enough to have closed a $28.8 million budget deficit.

Hell, even Tara had a post this week griping about a bus driver’s behavior.

So, what do things look like from the other side, from the driver’s seat, so to speak? This brings me to a letter we received a few weeks ago from a veteran Muni operator’s wife. This is the second letter we’ve received from the spouse of a Muni operator (read the first one here), wanting give their views on what it’s like to drive the bus here. We want to share with you some of the salient points of this most recent letter.

My husband has been working for the past 30 years with Muni. … Not many people who may sit behind a desk or may have easier jobs (and don’t have to worry about being assaulted like this bus driver, who was recently dragged off the bus and beaten by thugs)  can understand that being a Muni driver is more than just driving a bus. I watched my husband change over the years and the abuse he has received as well as many operators.

Read more