What’s up in Chinatown, Muni? (updates)

Update 11:50 p.m.: KGO/ABC7 has more:

The driver says the problems started when he went to investigate a malfunctioning wheelchair platform. The bus somehow lost control, rolled about 100 feet down a hill and crashed into a second bus.


And then…

The bus rolled into a collection of street-side newspaper racks and a mailbox before it came to a complete stop on a sidewalk.

That was from California Beat, which also reported that several passengers were treated for minor injuries.

Update 3:26 p.m.: @GarySoup tweets to let us know WTF:

Bizarre Muni bus on bus accident snarled service on Stockton St. Began when 8X driver parked [the] bus to get coffee from Cafe Honolulu. 8X bus rolled backward, sideswiped SB 30 bus. Rear end of bus knocked over traffic signal controller and mailboxes. 2 hrs to untangle.

I <3 the internets.

Original post: @disflylatina sent us this photo today. To state the obv, WTF?

Weekend Photos: Pull the Cord

pull the cord
Photo by Flickr user katiemarinascott

“The nightmare is over.” L-operator upon reaching Embarcadero.

When reader Ben sent us the above short email, I had to laugh. We know it’s not all that bad, though. Rachel from Fog City Notes shared a story of hilarity with fare inspectors this week, and we’re still trying to solve the mystery of why people do what they do when they wait for the bus. A big part of our urban existence happens on public transportation, so the next time you say to someone, “So I was on the bus today…” don’t forget to share that story with us.

Meanwhile, in Muni news:

  • Yes on Proposition G Headquarters Opens in the Castro — Fix Muni Now Kicks Off (SF Citizen)
  • Muni operators onboard, albeit begrudgingly, for service restoration plan (SF Examiner)
  • Some historic streetcars could return to the N-Judah line (Market Street Railway Blog)
  • Central Subway travel times disputed (SF Examiner)
  • Teen Suspect In Muni Gay Bashing Arrested (SF Appeal)
  • Muni chief urges riders to support federal transit funding (Examiner’s Under the Dome blog)
  • BART board decides not to increase fares (BCN via SF Appeal)
  • Protective streetcar shelter at Geneva nears completion (Market Street Railway)
  • Pot Ads on Muni? They’re Already on BART — So Why Not? (SF Weekly)
  • Dennis Herrera Running for Mayor (SFist)

Enjoy these photos and your weekend!

The old State Belt Railroad
Photo by Flickr user Roshan Vyas

Muni Rider
Photo by Flickr user David Lytle

These New Ads
Photo by Flickr user eviloars

Sittin’ in the waiting room … ahhhh


Photo by davitydave

We posted the above photo in last Friday’s Weekend Photos, and we let that be that. We never got a chance to ask the obvious: WTF? So, yeah, WTF? How did dude get that big-ass chair down to the platform? How did he also get that dog down there, muzzle-less? And was this part of some elaborate prank? Or was he simply furniture-shopping? Did he take said items on Muni with him?

Also, more fun waiting-for-Muni photos:

Waiting for the 48
Photo by WarzauWynn

DSC_0048
Photo by andy54321

Turf Wars
Photo by Troy Holden

underwear guy and muni bus
Photo by stevendamron

True love waits. And waits.
Photo by Justin.Beck

Steady Freakout
Photo by Nick.Fisher

Street's got my heart
Photo by juicyrai

Empty Bus Stop Park
Photo by rick, previously featured on Muni Diaries here

Smoke inside an 8X-Bayshore Express (updates)


Photo by LiveSOMA

Update 10:29 a.m.: LiveSOMA now has photos of the removal of the smoked-out bus (wasn’t that a story at our last live event?).

Update 9:49 a.m.: Eyewitness Brooke has these details:

I was about to walk into Whole Foods on 4th at Harrison when I heard a commotion across the street. I looked over and saw several people running out of long Muni bus, the 8 line. A big purple cloud was coming from the back of the bus. It looked like a very particulate smoke, and people appeared to have some of the smoke powder on them. I stopped to see if I should call 911, if they looked hurt. They were pretty much freaking out and looked scared, but they didn¹t look hurt. Then I saw the driver walking to the back to assess the situation, so I didn¹t think it was necessary to get nvolved. I went into whole foods to buy a couple of things. When I came out of Whole Foods about 5 minutes later, the cloud was gone, but on the sidewalk and street there was a layer of violet-purple stuff on the ground about the length of the back half of the bus. It appeared that several of the people that had been on the bus were still there talking to the bus driver about what had happened.

Original post: @jblebrun reports of smoke inside an 8X:

Whoa.. muni 8x suddenly filled with fine white powder… looked like smoke. Entire bus was covered by white cloud. 4th and Harrison

LiveSOMA has photos and a story:

The bus driver explained how the whole bus filled with white smoke to the point where she couldn’t see and had to stop. Her quick reaction prevented any injuries, although an SFFD Ambulance arrived a few minutes later to double check the situation. Passengers were also asked to fill out ‘comment card’ type sheets that allow Muni to follow up.

Anyone else witness this? Any idea what happened?

A Muni bus filled with ‘Oxford scholars’

22 fillmore
Photo by lorelei

100 Muni Stories

Muni rider Tara K. has a story that goes to show, you never know what kind of colorful character you’ll encounter on Muni:

Okay, today is the day I’ll be early to work…well, on time. I set out in high hopes of catching an early 22-Fillmore bus. I get on the bus and there is actually a seat!

Inevitably, 2 minutes into my ride, the bus breaks down in the middle of Church and Market. The passengers, all grumbles, start to shuffle. The bus driver announces that she will drop everyone off at the next bus stop and wait for assistance. As the bus stops at a stop sign people step down and everyone gets off. The bus driver announces for a second time that she will take people to the next stop but no one seems to understand.

That’s when the magic happens. A older woman, probably in her 80s, dressed in matching red and white from head to toe, turns to the remaining three people on the bus and yells “well, looks like this bus was filled with a bunch of God damned Oxford scholars. I tell ya the City is filled with ‘em!” I glance at another passenger as we suppress a burst of laughter. Then the show begins. The older woman continues on asking, “why the hell are people so stupid? Didn’t they hear that the driver is gonna take us to the next stop. A bunch of cattle, they are.”

As the driver pulls up to the stop the older woman turns to us all once again. She smiles and says, “well, it’s too bad they all missed the extra ride, the idiots, but it was nice ridin’ with y’all.” I catch her eye and say, “it’s really too bad they missed a great comedian!” She looks at me askance (Oh God, was that too cutesy for this lady, now I’m gonna get it), giving me a half smile and guffaw…and whaps me on the leg with her cane while nodding in recognition of her performance!

Note to self: Always ride Muni early cuz the bus will break down and you could be smiling for days.

It either happened to you, or around you. Share your Muni story on Muni Diaries.

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