Vintage bus

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Muni 5 McAllister #3270
Photo by Troy Holden

A few years ago I had the coolest, surprise Muni experience on quite the groovy vintage bus on my way to work. I don’t know if any of them are still in operation, but if you’ve ever been on one unexpectedly, you’ll definitely know what I’m talking about.

It was like stepping back into the ’70s when I got on board. The seats were all covered in orange and brown woven fabric, the ceilings were low, it was dimly lit, and I swore I could smell incense wafting through the air.

It’s only happened to me once in my 8+ years of riding Muni, but it was one ride worth remembering.

Category: diaries, reflection

Infrastructure pr0n: even more photos of J-Church track replacement

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This set of photos of last weekend’s J-Church track replacement comes to us from Tom of Church Street Media, who adds his vote of confidence for the workers laying the tracks. Thanks, Tom!

I’ve lived at this corner for 20 years and I had a front row view of the construction — for better or worse.

I can report that the noise was HELLISH over the weekend — no sleep on Friday night, a little better on Saturday, but they seemed to finish ahead of schedule on Sunday night. I’m no expert, but from what I could see, the workers did a first-class job. The machine operators moved the rails and materials with expert precision and with a minimum of wasted effort. There were no workers standing around as we have come to expect to see on other public works projects.

I am happy to report that the hassle and confusion was worth it! The line is much quieter at the intersection and there is little vibration compared to before. I give Muni credit where credit is due.

More photos after the jump.
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Category: diaries, Photos Tags:

Tutorial: How to speed up boarding on Muni

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Fare Box on Car 496
Photo by Flickr user Nick.Fisher

Doug over at Ice Tubes blog got tired of trying to stuff crumpled dollar bills into Muni boxes and posted some tips for the days when you don’t have your Fast Pass/Translink/dollar coins/pocket full of change. Now you have something to do while you wait for the bus. — Eugenia

With the recent fare hike back in July, the cost of riding a bus/light rail in San Francisco has gone up to $2. Now you either a) use a pre-paid bus pass, b) have eight quarters ready, c) contain a fist full of dimes, nickels and quarters adding up to $2, or d) have two $1 bills.
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Category: diaries, Funny: Muni LOLs

State Money Coming MTA’s Way, After All

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Rescue Me
Photo by Telstar Logistics

The governor pulled a major about-face on Monday, signing a bill he had promised to veto (SFGate, Contra Costa Times, Streetsblog SF). The legislation will restore the state’s gas-tax revenue to transit agencies across California (including SFMTA, BART, and AC Transit). MTA is set to receive an estimated $36 million. MTA Director Nat Ford says that might be enough to delay and/or reduce service cuts and fare hikes that are scheduled to kick in this May. Emphasis on “might” here, folks.

Category: News

Weekend Photos: Faster, Muni, Faster!

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Photo by Flickr user Daniell Lefebvre

I was on the 1-California today, and the driver tried for what seemed like forever to get the passengers to move back in order for a wheelchair passenger to get off the bus. There certainly can be ways to speed up boarding, and Streetsblog SF has a video and great story about some simple ways to improve boarding to make Muni more efficient.

“Muni spends about half of its time on any given run not moving, so the bus is either stopped at a light or the bus is stopped at a bus stop. Speeding up boarding would be hugely important in getting Muni in being more reliable and faster,” Tom Radulovich, executive director of Livable City, said in the video.

In other news, transit funding is nowhere in sight as the bill dies (thanks, Arnie), and the 14-Mission has the dubious award of being the most dangerous line (Examiner).

Watch out this weekend as the J-Church construction impacts traffic and Muni, starting tonight (SFAppeal).

Have a great weekend!


Photo by Flickr user Patrick Boury


Photo by Flickr user Patrick Boury

4th and King
Photo by Flickr user captin_nod

Category: diaries, Photos Tags:
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