Your place to share stories on and off the bus.
Photo via SFAppeal
SFMTA approved a two-year budget that might result in an increase in Muni fares but allows drivers to park for free again. The free Sunday meters means that the agency is giving up about $11 million in annual revenue, reports SFGate.
The panel voted unanimously to scrap Sunday parking charges, setting up another showdown at the Board of Supervisors when it considers the MTA budget. The members also voted to prioritize expanded service to low-income seniors and youths, banking on some of a $15 million surplus the agency has, and delayed some planned fare increases.
More about those fare increases via the Examiner:
The transit agency’s approved two-year budget also calls for a Muni single-trip fare increase of a quarter to $2.25, a 10 percent boost in service systemwide and expanding the free Muni for low- and moderate-income youth into a permanent program that includes 18-year-olds. These and a bevy of other changes will go into effect July 1, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors. The budget is set to increase to $943.2 million next fiscal year and $962.6 million the following year.
Photo via @JimMcNutty
Officials have confirmed that the woman who was under the BART train yesterday evening had jumped in front of it, but that she survived, according to SFAppeal. At about 4:50 p.m. on Monday, we got word via Twitter from witnesses that Montgomery station was closed due to a medical emergency. BART was single-tracked and bypassed Montgomery station, which reopened around 6:15 p.m. There were massive crowds at other stations. Traffic above ground was also delayed.
From SF Appeal:
Investigators used witness statements and video to reach the conclusion that the woman jumped from the platform shortly before 5 p.m., BART police Lt. Paul Kwon said. The woman was taken to San Francisco General Hospital but Kwon did not know the extent of her injuries.
SFWeekly says that the woman was treated for head injuries but was still talking. She’s expected to survive.
Update: 6 p.m.
Passengers report that Montgomery Station has re-opened after the person under the train was transported to the hospital. @SFBART says that service restoration is in progress.
At Montgomery St station now. Looks open. #sfbart
— Bob Hendricks (@rdhendricks) April 15, 2014
UPDATE: Unknown person under BART train transported to local hospital. Montgomery station reopens #BART #Montgomery #Breaking
— Golden Gate Xpress (@XpressNews) April 15, 2014
KTVU reports that although the station has re-opened, other stations are still jam-packed with passengers.
#BREAKING @SFBART service resumed at 5:45pbut here is the line at Embarcadero station now. pic.twitter.com/rsc6oEaMJw
— Jana Katsuyama (@JanaKTVU) April 15, 2014
Update: 5:49 p.m.
Riders are packed at other BART stations due to the Montgomery Station closure, as seen in the above photo from the Embarcadero Station from @JimMcNutty.
Original post (5:32 p.m.):
The Montgomery BART station is currently closed after reports that a person is under a BART train. Fire trucks and police vehicles are in front of the station, as witnesses on Twitter report. As of 5:32 p.m., the station is still closed and there are delays SFO, Daly City, and Millbrae bound trains, according to KRON4. In the photo below, passengers are jam-packed in the train as they await for the delay to clear up.
Photo by Tolebon
More from riders:
Montgomery Station closed @ 2nd St station. Panhandlers are saying someone jumped. "Went splat," if I'm quoting directly. #SF #muni #BART
— Hilldawgg (@Hilldawgg) April 15, 2014
The Chronicle’s Vivian Ho tweeted that the person under the train is still alive and being transported to a hospital to treat for head injuries.
Person under train at Montgomery station still alive. Transported to hospital with head injury. Station still closed for investigation.
— Vivian Ho (@VivianHo) April 15, 2014
We’ll keep you updated as we find out more.
Photo via Cyclean
How many people touched that nylon fabric strap you’re holding onto on Muni, and what did they touch before getting on the bus? If the thought of this gives your germaphobic self an anxiety attack, check out this self-cleaning strap designed by a group of Chinese designers who won the Red Dot Award.
How do these straps clean themselves? According to the designers:
The handle strap can be rotated through a small plastic chamber that contains a rough sponge, a cleaning and disinfecting agent, and rollers. The handle strap can be cleaned by pulling down on one side of the loop to feed it into the chamber. The rollers clean and disinfect the strap as it is fed through. The strap emerges from the chamber clean. The sponge can be replaced and the cleaning agent can be refilled.
Hmm. Replacing the sponge and cleaning agent might be where the process can break down here, but straps in the picture look pretty darn clean and enticing. The “Cyclean” straps are still just a design and haven’t been manufactured yet, according to Fast Coexist. So for now you’ll have to make do with good ole hand sanitizer gel. Look on the bright side: at least we haven’t heard about bed bugs on Muni!
H/T: @jesskuo
Photo by cbcastro
If you think that the lack of Muni late night service is a buzz kill, get yourself to this afternoon’s city hearing to listen in on the discussion. Among the topics on the agenda:
-Availability & frequency of transbay transportation
-Availability & frequency of Muni LRV lines (Market Street Tunnel)
-Accessibility to information on Muni OWL lines
-Daytime vs. Nighttime Muni routes
-Transportation available to bar patrons and late night/early morning workers
-Public Safety
Deets:
Land Use and Economic Development Committee
Monday, April 14th
1:30 p.m.
San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 263
H/T: SFWeekly