MTA board of directors gets an earful

And You Don't Know What You Want
Photo by Thomas Hawk

The MTA Board of Directors met on Tuesday and, as StreetsBlog SF reports, balked at the F-line fire hike and want to take another look at extending parking meter hours. The Examiner also reported details about the proposed Muni service cuts. Rider Dee Leit attended the meeting and sent us a report that focused on the public comment portion of the meeting, which had an amazing turnout and really struck a chord with Dee. Commenters were concerned about the possible layoffs of Muni cash handlers, car cleaners, and other upcoming service cuts. An excerpt from Dee’s account of the meeting:

The MTA meeting opened with some business, then it opened up first for public comment on off-agenda items. I saw many union workers and people who may be laid off from MTA in the next few months. This includes 11 car cleaners, the folks who keep the buses clean every day. An 11 year old girl came up to say that zxshe was worried about H1N1 being spread due to layoffs of custodial workers on the bus. She was worried that because her school takes Muni on field trips and lots of her fellow students also take Muni, the layoffs of car cleaners could mean that she might catch the disease.

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Weekend Photos: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop

To miss out on the woo-woo train
Photo by Flickr user kayveeinc

The fare hike, that is.

Today in BART news, CBS5 reports that at least two BART board members are in favor of a new fare hike for transbay tube users. No definite word yet so stay tuned on BART Diaries to see this developing story. And remember that on Monday, MLK day, BART will be operating on the Saturday schedule.

Enjoy these moody and nearly monochromatic photos (it’s that kind of day for me today!). As always, send us your stories and pics on BART!

BART pilot
Photo by Flickr user jgatts

Oakland BART
Photo by Flickr user artbandito

every 3 to 4 weeks
Photo by Flicker user mikedthron

Ok, for giggles from the No Pants ride last Sunday. I can’t get over this man’s outfit:
No Pants! Subway Ride 2010: San Francisco
Photo by Flickr user Klara Kim

Weekend Photos: Looking out on San Francisco

The Boat
Photo by Flickr user jwhiteman

I simply do not believe that another week has past. That must mean that 2006 2010 is almost over, right? So fast.

So a couple of bombshell Muni news stories dropped just before this post published. The first, and perhaps most crucial, is Streetsblog SF’s report that SFMTA is now considering a second round of major service cuts in May to close its still astounding nearly $17 million budget gap. Cuts would affect every line, and hike fares on the F, cable cars, and express buses. Ouch.

Also late-breaking, KRON reports that Muni stabbing suspect Bobby Brown was found competent to stand trial for his alleged crimes. We find that hard to believe, but then, we’re not lawyers.

There was also this report from The Thin Green Line (an SFGate blog) about how Muni’s ridership and on-time performance numbers are holding steady. You take the good with the bad, I guess.

The weekend advisory from MTA says that rail work on the L-Taraval line will be on hold for the weekend. Also, on Monday (i.e., MLK day), parking meters will be enforced. Enjoy your holiday, if you’re lucky enough to get one!

DSC_0761
Photo by Flickr user jwhiteman

Inbound Church
Photo by Flickr user daniellallanlefebvre

4th and King
Photo by Flickr user captin_nod

Waiting
Photo by Flickr user daniellallanlefebvre

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