Obit-lettes: 21-Hayes, 10-Townsend

21 Hayes - Downtown and the Ferry Plaza
Photo by Flickr user kodama (home)

SFMTA’s December 5 service changes include the elimination of portions of bus routes, in addition to the total elimination of some routes, and in other cases, increased service. A few riders wanted to share their thoughts on those parts of routes that will go the way of the dodo come this Saturday. First, here’s Noah, sparing no words for how he really feels about lopping off the Fulton portion of the 21-Hayes:

Good riddance.

Before the death of the Fulton portion of the 21-Hayes, people who lived on Fulton between Stanyan and 8th Ave had the benefit of two buses, the 5 and the 21. People who boarded the 21 on Hayes anywhere East of Divis had the benefit of zero buses during rush hour, because the 21 was always too full to stop.

Now, those of us who ride the 21 in a neighborhood where only the 21 goes by actually have a bus we can ride during rush hour.

SF Appeal has a helpful explanation of what exactly will be happening to the 21.

Next up is Muni Diaries favorite Tara, with a tale of woeful days ahead without her 10-Townsend:

Once BART drops me off at Embarcadero each morning at about 8:50, I scramble frantically, depending on what the NextBus prediction says, to Fremont and Market, awaiting my golden chariot: the 10-Townsend. It, usually reliably, takes me from downtown to the north end of town. It’s quiet, filled with polite folks (except for that one old guy I fought with that time), and rolls through one of the most thriving parts of town at 8:55 a.m. on a weekday. That said, it, um, pretty much empties by the time we pass Sansome and Lombard.

Though some lines are meeting their demise come Dec. 5, others, like the 10, are simply getting rerouted at certain points. Though yuppies like me should be able to deal with a minor glitch in his or her morning bus routine, yuppies like me end up having the biggest shitfits over this very thing. Total White Whine, if you will.

The long and short of it is that the 10 is now turning west on Jackson, instead of taking me all the way north, to my building at North Point and Stockton. I will miss you, that-part-of-the-10. Instead of jamming to my iPod or reading some to-be-a-movie-soon novel from Oprah’s list of recommendations, I usually preferred to stare out the window and watch the hubbub unfold. These are people going to work, bustling around in their businesswear and messenger bags. It actually makes me happy to be going to work, too, like we’re all in some sort of metropolitan club from 9-6 on weekdays. The best part was getting to see it all from my chariot, above the fray. I can still do some of that…but then I’ll have waited 10 minutes for a 10 minute bus ride, only to require another 15 minutes of walking. I might just have to bid adieu to the 10 altogether and walk the whole way, as it might not be worth the hassle when all is said and done.

Ultimately, if it’ll save Muni some cash, I can deal with it. The only thing it does is force me to leave the house about 15 minutes earlier in the morning, allowing me time to walk from downtown to Way Up There. Or, it forces me to hop on a 9x or a 9BX (soon to be rechristened the 8X, etc.), in the event I feel like a nice pushy morning ride or an elbow to the ribs is needed to jolt me awake for the day ahead. Either way, I will deal with it. But it doesn’t stop me from complaining about it here.

We’ll give you a break, Muni, if it’ll save you the cash. But try to cut us some slack next week while we all begrudgingly try to turn the speeding freight train around on our befuddled morning selves.

Check back tomorrow for the last of our Muni obituaries. It will be an all-day tribute to the almost-dearly departed 26-Valencia.

Suspect charged with Monday Muni stabbing, other crimes (update)

Update 12:29 p.m.: KCBS reports that the suspect, Bobby Brown, has been handed a bail of $5 million. As things go, any nutjob person with $500,000 can bail this man out. My feelings are that he’s a deeply troubled individual, and that, whatever the failings of the penal code, he should at least be kept off the streets (and Muni) for now.

Original post: SFGate (and others) have the goods. A quick post for the non-Twitter crowd.

How NOT to go through BART fare gates

Zombie Fare
Photo by Flickr user Orin Zebest

BART rider Beth W. writes in to proffer these suggestions, no-nos you might call them, for passing through fare gates:

* Meander up to the exit, block one of the gates, and then fumble around in your pockets/bag/etc. for your ticket.
* Go through the gates quickly and successfully, then stop walking once the red plastic bits close behind you. For bonus points, start
talking on your cell phone.
* Try to go through one of the gates showing a red circle with a bar through it. Look confused when it doesn’t work. Keep trying.
* Try to get through the gates with an invalid ticket. Get irate when the machine beeps at you. Attempt to slide it through 5 or 6 more times.
* Slide your ticket into the slot for the disabled exit, then try to pick up your ticket from the (nonexistent) spot on top of the machine. If you were in a wheelchair, could you reach up there? No? Then that isn’t where your ticket is.
* Go through the gates with a large suitcase or stroller. Get stuck. Eye passersby pleadingly for help.
* Push your bicycle through the fare gates. Watch as the red gate closes on your bicycle.
* Pay with an exact fare, then throw a tantrum when the machine doesn’t give your ticket back.

    What are your favorite BART fare-gate fails? Share.

    Decorate a Muni Streetcar for the Holidays

    How to Decorate Streetcars
    All photos by Flickr user Telstar

    Rider Todd sent us these fantastic photos of Market Street Railway volunteers decorating Muni street cars for the holidays.  The volunteers decorated the Milan 1818 and New Orleans 952 streetcars last weekend at the Geneva yard with loads of ornaments, wreaths, and garlands.

    The other day when I saw an F train with a little green wreath on its nose, I kind of squealed like a little girl. So thanks, Todd, for the photos!

    How to Decorate Streetcars

    How to Decorate Streetcars

    How to Decorate Streetcars

    See the rest of Todd’s photos from last weekend’s Muni holiday decoration party.

    J-Church Delay Cleared, Stabbing Victim Taken to Hospital (updates)

    J Church Muni Dolores Park
    Photo by Flickr user Transit Nerd

    Update 3:58 p.m. Tuesday: CBS and others are reporting that the SFPD has, in fact, arrested a suspect in the case.

    Update 2:48 p.m. Tuesday: SF Appeal reports that ABC 7 reports that the police have a suspect in custody. SF Appeal cannot confirm the report. we shall see whether it’s true, and whether there’s a good chance that it’s the right guy.

    Update 12:36 p.m. Tuesday: SFGate has a few more details and quotes from the victim.

    Update 10:58 a.m. Tuesday: KTVU has an interview the victim, as well as a sketch of the suspect.

    Update 8:58 p.m.: According to SF Appeal, the SFPD will be releasing images from the surveillance video sometime soon. Let’s hope lynch mobs or vigilante committees don’t form, but that with the public aware of what the perp looks like, he is brought to justice somehow.

    Update 5:49 p.m.: MTA says it handed surveillance video of the stabbing over to the SFPD. The video will be used to help the police in their investigation. There is no word on whether or when the video will be made available to the public.

    Update:
    As of 12:50, SFMTA says that the incident has been cleared.

    Original post:
    We received an alert from SFMTA that, as of 10:40 a.m., regular J-Church service has been disrupted due to police activity on an outbound J light rail vehicle on Church and 18th Street. Bus shuttles are running between Church/16th and Church/22nd Street.

    The alarming part:

    “According to initial reports, one female passenger was stabbed by another passenger. The female who was stabbed was transported to San Francisco General Hospital. The severity of her injuries is unknown.”

    (from SFMTA).

    We will keep you updated.

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