At the Muni Time Capsule event back in November, KALW reporter Audrey Dilling spoke with several people who showed up that night to share their Muni stories. One of our favorites was this modern-day transit love story: Steven and Vickie met one day while riding the 22-Fillmore en route to the outer Richmond. Their initial attraction to each other survived a transfer to the 38-Geary, and the rest, as they say …
Found this old photo by Bill Swingle on Flickr today. He writes:
Pile of someone’s stuff on the Embarcadero/Folsom Muni platform. These pictures were all real black/white printed in the early ’60s according to the dates on the back.
Seeing all of this stuff strewn all over made me sad for whoever lost it all.
The following story was originally posted on the Ocean Beach Bulletin. It was written by Kristine Mendoza. Photo and videos are by Tom Prete.
Ocean Beach, at the westernmost edge of San Francisco, has been a well-known destination for those wanting to get away from the loud and bustling city. Residents appreciate its sleepiness and quiet beach-town vibe, while visitors bask in the fog on its sandy beaches, meditating to the repeating pattern of foghorns and seagull calls.
However, for a group of residents near one of the hubs of the neighborhood, the ocean sounds have been drowned out by the high-pitched wail of the N-Judah train. Muni representatives say the agency is aware of the problem at the western turnaround of the N-Judah route at La Playa and Lower Great Highway, and is working on a long-term solution. But residents and businesses have been seeking a fix to the shrieking streetcars for years.
“The noise is deafening,” explained John Zwolinksi of the La Playa/Great Highway Neighborhood Watch.
Since the group’s formation two years ago, the issue of the noise at the end of the line has been at the forefront of its agenda. Zwolinski has teamed up with several neighbors as well as Supervisor Carmen Chu to get their voices heard at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which oversees Muni.
Heavy metal noise
According to John Haley, director of transit operations at the SFMTA, the noise is caused by the metal-to-metal interface of streetcar wheel and rail. In addition, the light-rail vehicles in use today are much heavier than the cars that were originally used on these tracks. The cars now used on Market Street for the F-Market line were the standard car up until the mid-1970s. Those cars weighed up to 25,000 pounds less than the modern LRVs. Haley stated that the noise is exacerbated by the heavier cars and the tight turning radius at this particular turnaround.
Residents were told last winter that a resolution was in the works. Crews of “greasers” were sent to the site of the noise to lubricate the track in an attempt to silence the wailing. However, the efforts – and results – were short-lived.
“After a couple of turns the grease wears off,” said Zwolinski.
According to Zwolinski, Muni devised a plan to install automatic greasers that would lubricate the track in two spots along the turnaround, using biodegradable grease. That project was supposed to be in place in the spring of 2010.
Longtime residents aren’t the only ones taking issue with the noise level. Greg Seth, manager at the Oceanview Motel at the end of the N-Judah line, says the noise has been an issue for his guests.
“There are a lot of people that don’t want these rooms,” Seth said. “It hasn’t affected business a great deal, but people do complain.”
As convenient as they may be, the Clipper Card hasn’t won any beauty contests. If you’re mourning the loss of our beloved colorful paper Fast Passes, we’ve got something for you: our new Clipper Card holders that actually look like a Fast Pass on the outside! These Clipper Card holders just arrived at the Muni Diaries Etsy shop. They are laminated for durability, and feature two clear pockets inside for your Clipper Card and a few credit cards or IDs.
Each Clipper Card Holder also features a vintage Muni map, showing various San Francisco ‘hoods and old Muni lines alongside those we know and love. Check ’em out:
These Clipper Card holders are lovingly crafted by Heather L. of Heathered and designed by Suzanne Lagasa.
On a wild Flickr hunt, we came across this painting of the 19-Polk by Andy Stattmiller, an illustrator in the Mission, who has rendered characters on the bus lovingly. Note the sassy fishnet stockings about to step off the back door.
