Your Two Cents: BART Defends Decision to Cut Cell Service

IMG_3714
Photo by Black Hour

By now you know that BART temporarily shut down cell service on Thursday to interfere with a proposed protest over the shooting of Charles Hill. And now the agency is under a lot of heat.

According to CNET:

Hackers were calling for action against BART in retaliation for the cell service disruption. The Anonymous group of online activists started promoting Operation BART on Twitter, with one profile saying: “We are going to show BART (@SFBART) how to prevent a riot #OpBART.” … Meanwhile, they also released a digital flyer with the headline “muBARTek,” a reference to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted after demonstrations earlier this year. “

The SFAppeal reports that BART didn’t violate specific FCC rules. And once you’re on the BART platform, “free speech isn’t so free,” says the SF Appeal report (read the Appeal’s excellent coverage of the cell jam).

What do you think of BART’s decision to cut cell service Thursday?

Weekend Photos: Passing the Time

Two men complimenting each others' hats. #muni
Photo by sarahwulfeck

Though Eugenia will be spending a lot of time at WordPress’s WordCamp 2011 (see how devoted we all are to bringing you the best internet experience possible?), here are some other things to do around town over the weekend:

  • Tonight, Fabric8 is hosting an art show called, “Back Door!” You guessed it: It’s Muni-themed. Artist Andy Stattmiller will be showing off his latest works. Fabric8 is at 3318 22nd Street in the Mission. Take the 14-Mission, 49-Van Ness, J-Church, 24-Divisadero, 48-Quintara, or 67-Bernal Heights.
  • Outside Lands is going on all weekend in Golden Gate Park, if that’s your thing. Take the N-Judah, 71-Haight/Noriega, 33-Stanyan, 5-Fulton, or 21-Hayes.
  • Yeah, it’s in Oakland, but we couldn’t not promote the three-day (starting tonight) Bay Area Derby Girls Roller Derby. Our area girls will do battle with Chicago, Austin, and Detroit to determine who takes home the Golden Bowl trophy. Take whatever Muni route gets you to a BART station.

Feel free to share other rad things going down this weekend with your fellow Muni riders.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to let SF Weekly editors know which website you think deserves to win Best Transit Blog and maybe Best Twitter account (write-in). We wouldn’t try to influence your vote or anything.

And don’t forget to follow Muni Diaries on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Whew! Enjoy these Muni photos and your weekend …

Backseat View
Photo by sirgious

uhmm where am i going?
Photo by grace1171


Photo by Brian_Brooks

giants + muni =
Photo by dirty black chucks

SFMTA’s Broken Clipper Machine Policy Unchanged

Back in July 2010, we reported on official SFMTA policy for when a Clipper reader onboard a Muni vehicle is broken: the vehicle’s operator had to allow passengers with Clipper cards to board. We even posted the official memo from SFMTA for you to print out and carry with (much as it made our stomachs turn to encourage dead-tree-ism).

But, lately, there were mumblings that the policy wasn’t being enforced systemwide. So, we got in touch with SFMTA, who verified that the policy hasn’t changed:

The policy has not changed.

Any customer who receives a citation that they feel is unwarranted may certainly protest the citation. Here is a link from our website to the page about paying or protesting a transit fare citation: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/AdultMunitransitviolationonorafterFebruary42008.htm. We appreciate customers alerting us to malfunctioning Clipper readers via 311.

So, when you encounter a broken Clipper reader, insist on boarding the vehicle. Protest a citation if you receive one, using the guidelines in the link above. It’s probably a good idea to note the coach number, the driver number, and the date and time for reference.

The more you know, and all that.

Muni News: BART failures, BART non-protests, Muni station doors

SF downtown, August 6 2011
Photo by YUNCHUNG LEE

  • BART data-device failure shows deep system flaws (SFGate)
  • SF Mayoral Candidates Need to Tackle Transportation Funding (Streetsblog SF)
  • One Year In, Officials Say Transbay Terminal Construction On Schedule (SF Appeal)
  • SFMTA Advises Muni Customers about Metro Station Door Replacement (SFMTA)
  • Rumored protests at BART, Muni in SF on Thursday stall out (SF Examiner)
  • Transit ridership surges throughout Bay Area (SJ Mercury News)
  • BART Officer Contradicts Spokesperson, Says Transit Agency Did Block Cell Phone Service Thursday Night (SF Appeal)
  • Weekend traffic and transit advisories (SF Appeal)
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