Category: News

For some time now, it’s been rumored that Muni/SFMTA would test a new technique, formerly known as double-berthing, and now called “double-boarding.” The last update, if you can call it that, that we got was in December, when we linked to a Hoodline post saying that the testing had no timeline.

Then, yesterday, Hoodline reported a tip they received that Muni is set to start testing this week.

SFMTA spokesperson Paul Rose told us via email today that double-stopping will be tested during morning and afternoon commutes today at the three stations. He continued: “This is a new rider convenience tool that manages congestion in the subway and ensures that riders don’t have to wait for a train to clear the subway before exiting their vehicle. At these stations, the first train will stop further down the platform (closer to the end of the platform).”

Read the Hoodline post for full details. It will be interesting to see whether and to what extent double-boarding actually makes for a more efficient Muni Metro system.

Photo by Christina B Castro

Do you feel safer on Muni lately? Crime on Muni has dropped 18 percent from February 2015 to February 2016, according to SF Police Department Lieutenant Tim Paine. In a report by the SFMTA, the SFPD’s Muni Task Force, Muni Enforcement Team, and K-9 unit are using a combination of uniformed and plain-clothed officers on Muni to dissuade crime.

Wait, undercover police office on Muni? Here’s more from the report:

The Muni Task Force, or MTF, consists of plain clothes police officers who conduct covert and overt operations. They ride the lines as undercover officers doing active crime enforcement to target pickpockets, narcotics dealers and other illegal criminal behavior known to plague certain Muni lines and bus stops. Muni Task Force members also handle follow-up investigations where necessary.

The SFPD says that surveillance cameras on Muni buses also provide them with photos “as clear as a high school yearbook picture” of suspects, whom the police then distribute across the department.

Still, fighting, vandalism, and theft remain the top three illegal activities on Muni vehicles in February 2016, according to Paine. So keep your eyes up and your phones down, everybody.

Photo by torbakhopper

The San Francisco Transit Riders Union is launching its new “Make Transit Awesome” campaign tonight with a kickoff party, and your humble Muni Diaries editor will be part of a panel to talk about the behind-the-scenes gems of documenting your daily commute.

From the San Francisco Transit Riders Union:

We’ve been active in the San Francisco transit community since 2010, slowly growing and now punching above our weight. Everything we’ve accomplished so far has been entirely lead by volunteers with one part-time contractor. We want to step up our game and bring on full-time, permanent staff who can truly devote their time and organizing skills to increasing our reach throughout the city and across all possible transit projects.

We envision a Muni where no matter where you are going, you can get there in 30 minutes. We want to help make this happen by launching a “30 by ’30” campaign, outlining a rider-centric vision of the city’s transit network over the next 15 years.

The Indiegogo campaign has already surpassed its initial goal, and you can hear more about it at the event this evening.

San Francisco Transit Riders Union’s Make Transit Awesome
Party and Campaign Kick off
Thursday Apr 21, 7-9 pm
717 Market Street
Facebook invite

Photo by Todd Lappin