Muni Substituting Diesels on Trolleybus Lines on Sunday - Major Delays to Happen

This Sunday is the big NFC championship game where the 49ers are traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks.  But the more troubling issue is why Muni is not allowing any trolleybuses to run in the city, and instead substituting it for diesels all Sunday.

From the Chronicle, the reason why the trolleybuses are being locked in the garage is a precaution in case there's fans rioting in the streets.

Riots?  If citizens wants to riot, they'll vandalize or destroy any Muni bus they please, regardless if it is diesel or electric.

The truth of the matter is, if Muni takes all the electric trolleybuses off the streets on Sunday, you will experience severe delays on all trolleybus lines.  There are not enough diesel buses to make-up for a huge loss.

And how do I know of the delays?  Last week Saturday, Muni switched all electric lines running along Market street to diesel only (excluding the 14-Mission), but they had a legitimate excuse, there was major road construction on Market and it blocked the overhead wires and the tracks used by the F-Market.  I ride the 6-Parnassus, but the diesel buses ran too far apart, with wait times of 30 to 40 minutes; normally the wait with trolleybuses is about 15-20 minutes.  Even the bus substitution for the F-Market was terrible, I was waiting 25 minutes for a bus that was sardine packed; after that point, I turned around and went home.

But wait, there's more.  This Sunday, Muni is cutting-off all Cable Car and F-Market service and they are also going on diesel as well.  For the entire three day weekend, the N-Judah will not run trains from Duboce and Church to Ocean Beach, and instead run much slower and smaller capacity buses.  This means that all the diesel lines will be STRETCHED THIN.

I seriously question the SFMTA's choices of cutting-off all the trolleybus lines for diesels.  Like I said earlier, with all the lines being forced to diesels, there is not enough diesel buses to make-up a huge gap like this.

Clipper at BART Ticketing Machines: Behind Schedule

I just got word today from Clipper's Facebook page that the activation of BART's ticketing machines to be able to add e-cash value is behind schedule.

The original goal for BART is to have all stations ready by the end of March (as per MTC meeting agenda/notes). The new estimated time of completion will be no later than the end of April.

While Clipper nor BART has an explanation of why there's a delay, I'm disappointed at both agencies. The MTC has been mentioning for months in their Operations Committee agendas that BART will be fully capable to add value at their machines by the end of March. I have a suspicion the last stations that will have Clipper added to their ticketing machines will be the downtown core stations (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, and Civic Center) because passengers can go to Muni's ticketing machines as an alternate venue.

While I'm on the topic of BART ticketing machines handling Clipper add value purchases, I hope they go beyond e-cash only purchases and include the purchasing of electronic high value tickets without the need to join the autoload program, and be able to purchase passes and ridebooks too.

Here's the list of stations with Clipper capabilities (in no particular order):

1. West Dublin/Pleasanton
2. Glen Park
3. Pleasant Hill
4. Rockridge
5. Balboa Park
6. Dublin/Pleasanton
7. Fruitvale
8. Castro Valley
9. Union City
10. Fremont
11. Pittsburg Bay Point
12. North Concord/Martinez
13. Concord

For now, have a great week and stay warm.

Muni is Paying Attention to Akit's Blog - But There's One Mistake They Made

As a result of some recent Akit's Complaint Department reports, Muni has taken the positive steps to make changes after I challenged them to do better.

Youth and Senior Muni Paper Passes - Extended Until May
I was the first to report before the news media and the press office of Muni said it was official: the youth and senior paper passes was extended from January to May.

I first got word from Clipper on their Twitter account, and not long later, Muni quietly updated their website to say the paper passes will end in May.

My initial post about the delay.
My second post about Muni quietly confirming the delay.

But I still challenged Muni do to a little better; they needed to at least get the word to the general public, and their press room did. Read the press release here. They also sent out the same press release via e-mail to local media outlets.

The 2.5 Hour Gap for Saturday evening service for the 38L and 38-Geary
I argued that it was not appropriate for Muni's most heavily used transit line to have a 2.5 hour gap of no service on Saturday evenings when the last 38L departs 48th & Point Lobos at 5:37PM, and the first 38-Geary (regular) bus leaves at 8:02PM.

One of my commentators pointed out Muni posted a service alert over a week later to give notice to the general public about the 2.5 hour gap. Sadly, the agency took the easy route by publishing a notice, and did not correct the bus schedule to at least fill in the large gap.

(The best solution is to have all Fort Miley operators during the 2.5 hour gap to make a right turn on Point Lobos at 43rd, pick-up the folks at 48th Avenue, and start their run inbound towards downtown.)

To make matters worse, I drove by the bus stop just after 6PM on Saturday the 15th and noticed about a dozen standing at the 48th & Point Lobos stop. Some of them looked like tourists while the rest are locals. Since Muni made an effort to put a public notice online, did they post at a rider alert sign at the bus stop? The answer is no. There was ZERO signage at the stop. I saw the 38L outbound that just dropped off passengers drive off back to the garage. There wasn't even a Muni supervisor at the stop, unlike on Saturday the 8th when I noticed the white city truck at the location.

As a courtesy, I decided to pull over my car and give a call to 311. I told the person about the issue and asked for a Muni supervisor to go over there and inform the people because there was no signage telling them to walk six blocks to 42nd Avenue.

It took five minutes to explain this to the 311 operator. Why? The operator is a total moron; he said: "the 38-Geary doesn't run to 48th Avenue from 8AM to 6PM." Well, no shit Sherlock, I live in the Outer Richmond district and know the 38 and 38L lines very well; were you listening to a word I said about the problem? I told him to go to the SFMTA website and look at the alerts.

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I like it when one person can make big changes to a major city agency; but it's only bittersweet for me because Muni messed-up by not modifying 38-Geary service or posting a notice at the bus stop.

Muni Quietly Confirms Delay of Youth & Senior Passes to Clipper

After a couple of days since my previous post about Clipper officials mentioning of a delay in the mandatory paper pass to Clipper card transition of all youth and senior Muni passes, it is now confirmed by Muni.

Muni has quietly updated their website with the following information:

"May 2011 is the last month for the paper version of the Senior and Youth pass."


Unfortunately, city government bureaucrats don't do their jobs very well because they didn't cover all their bases. The SFMTA's "Passes, etc." section of their site still says:

"You may also buy a paper Senior Pass at your nearest neighborhood store through the January 2011 pass."

Also, wouldn't it have been nice if the SFMTA published a press release to inform the local news media, do a 511 alert, and other social media networks to spread the word? I wonder how many Muni paper pass vendors even know they are still allowed to sell paper passes until the last one issued for the month of May?

Geesh, I should have been hired to do media relations for Muni and Clipper.

BREAKING: Clipper Card Mandatory Switch for Youth and Seniors DELAYED

My suspicions are correct, the MTC is following through with delaying the mandatory Clipper card transition for all seniors and youths who uses their paper passes on Muni.

Originally, Clipper was supposed to be mandatory for all "Y" and "S" passes starting with the February 2011 pass, and this has been the official notice the SFMTA and their press relations department has been telling everyone about.

I received a Twitter reply from a Clipper representative just moments ago (link fixed):

• "Actually, Muni Senior and Youth passes will still be available in paper form until further notice."

While Muni's press relations hasn't provided a press release about this, if it's coming from the folks at Clipper, I will have to assume the delay will be true.

If the MTC follows on their path to delaying the pass transition, the new goal will be June 2011; they want to accomplish the full transition of nearly all Muni passes (except the senior "P" pilot pass and "L" lifeline pass) before the start of the new 2011 fiscal year (July 1, 2011).

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However... I still encourage all youth and seniors of San Francisco to register for a Clipper card. This means, get your butt down to a registration site or a transit ticketing office and complete the registration forms and provide proof of age. For more information on how do get a youth or senior Clipper card, click here. As one of my commentators said, you can get an INSTANT youth or senior Clipper card if you visit a Golden Gate Transit/Ferry ticketing office, and this means no waiting two to three weeks for it in the mail.

Clipper on SamTrans Delayed - MTC Didn't Care to Notify Public

Amid much hype on my blog and Clipper's twitter account, Clipper cards was supposed to be accepted on SamTrans starting December 15th (Wednesday), however the debut will be delayed.

Maybe I should rephrase that... there was not much word spread around about the delay. SamTrans and Clipper's website did not mention anything about a planned date for debut, nor announce a delay. Even the MTC's public relations or media office didn't publish a press release or even link a news article about the delay.

You'll hear it now because I like banging on pots and pans to get attention:
The new debut date for Clipper on SamTrans will be Wednesday, December 22nd.

The only news coverage of the delay came from the San Mateo County Times; the article mentions there was some "software issues" discovered on Monday, December 13th that caused the debut to be delayed a week. Most of the rest of the article sounded like a promotional advertisement for Clipper.

Akit's Opinion:
I'm a little frustrated by all of this. Clipper makes one real big announcement of the launch of the blue card on SamTrans, but nobody tells the public there's been a delay? One newspaper, just one newspaper tells the public in one little sentence about the delay.

It's even worse when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission kept their mouth shut about the delay by not notifying the public. Once Clipper opened their mouth (okay, tweeted it), MTC is responsible for notifying the general public of a delay. With my increasing readership of my blog telling them of the December 15th debut, I wonder how many people tried to use their Clipper card on SamTrans that day and was told it was not ready?

I'm also not happy SamTrans and Clipper also kept their mouth shut. Not even one little blurb on their websites saying the launch would be held off for a week.

And what's up with this software problem? SamTrans and Clipper had months to tinker with the software and make sure all the equipment is ready for use for the public.

FOR SHAME!

Akit Delayed Muni Metro Today

Before you think I caused trouble on Muni metro today, please be aware: No, I didn't go nuts on the train, nor did I cause a disturbance with the fare inspectors. There is a very good explanation on why I had to be involved in delaying Muni metro.

Disclaimer: If you just ate your lunch, I'd suggest coming back in 30 minutes. This story is a little bit nasty...

After a nice lunch at Ike's Place at Lime (on Market), I took the F-Market to Van Ness station to catch the next train to AT&T Park to buy some World Series goodies. Lucky for me, the N-Judah just arrived when I got on the platform.

I was sitting in the second car, in the front half section, and facing towards the rear end. At Civic Center station, a man just stood up, was walking towards the third exit door, and he tripped and fell face first into the floor (everyone heard a big thud sound). A couple of passengers helped to pick him up and the train doors closed and progressed to Powell.

Ugh, not a pretty sight. He was all dizzy and was bleeding all over the train floor and his clothes. When the train got to Powell, I got off quickly to move to the first car so I can inform the driver, and also noticed the injured passenger exiting; the guy was so out of it, he fell on his back on the platform and scooted himself against the wall.

I got the driver's attention and quickly told him what was going on. As a trained first responder at my job at SF State (even though I was not on-duty), the safety of myself and others is a priority and the risk of blood borne pathogens on the floor was also a serious concern. The driver hit the emergency brake and called Central Control for an ambulance. At the same time, a station agent was on the platform to look at the guy who got hurt.

The train was stuck on the platform for about 5-10 minutes to assess the situation. The driver eventually ordered all passengers off the train and another N-Judah arrived shortly thereafter.

In the end, the passengers wasn't happy they had to get off the train, but most understood why.

I'm no hero, I just did the right thing like any responsible person would.

Traffic and Muni Alert: PGA Presidents Cup at Harding Park

It's back... the PGA tour is back at the Harding Park golf course that is located on Lake Merced and next door to SF State University. What does this mean to you if you are within the region? Let's take a look:

The "region" I am describing is as followed and covers the likely areas where problems and issues may arise:

• North border: Sloat Blvd.
• South border: John Muir Drive (southern rim of Lake Merced and straddles between SF and DC border).
• East border: 19th Avenue
• West border: Great Highway and Skyline Blvd.

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**MAJOR PROBLEMS: MUNI RE-ROUTES AND SKIPPED STOPS FOR THE 18-46TH AVENUE AND 88-BART SHUTTLE**

I called 311 to find out about the re-routes for the 18-46th Avenue and BART shuttle, and the news is not very good.

MUNI RE-ROUTES/CHANGES EFFECTIVE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 5TH to SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

The 18-46th Avenue bus line is going to hell:

• Going towards Stonestown (SF State area): At 47th and Sloat, re-route turns right on Sloat, left on Great Highway, right on Skyline, and continues normal route. Route will skip: SF Zoo, Skyline & Sloat, Herbst road (Disabled center, SF Zoo staff entrance), Harding park entrance/sewage plant entrance.
• It's "normal" route (map points "A" to "B") would turn left on Sloat, right on Skyline blvd., and turn into Herbst Road before continuing on Skyline.
  

View Larger Map

• Going towards Legion of Honor: At Winston & Lake Merced, re-route turns right onto Lake Merced (northbound), left before road changes to Sunset Blvd., continues down Lake Merced Blvd, turns right onto Skyline, and bus continues normal route.
• It's "normal" route between map points "A" and "B" would turn left at Lake Merced/Winston, go southbound on Lake Merced, turn right on John Muir Drive, turn right on Skyline, and continue on it's route to map point "C" and turn right on 46th Avenue.
  

View Larger Map

When you take a look at the maps, it shows a poor planning from the SFMTA/Muni. Look at the huge gap of service on the lower map, it literally removes all stops from Lake Merced/Winston, John Muir Drive, and Skyline (including the Center for the Disabled on Herbst).

I have officially lodged a complaint via 311's phone line about the 18's route changes:

1. You cannot disenfranchise service to these remote areas on the southern rim of Lake Merced (not boulevard, it's the lake) by not having the re-routes try its best to cover the areas where the roads are closed.
2. The re-route removes all bus service to the Center for the Disabled; who will supplement service for this problem?
   
3. The route going towards the Legion of Honor is the worst because it skips all the stops on Lake Merced Blvd. south of Winston, and the homes on John Muir drive near Skyline. Every time I ride the 18, I see SFSU students who live on John Muir hop on the bus and pay the $2 fare for a short 5 minute ride, versus walking 30 minutes on the very long walk to/from campus.
   
4. How about the old and disabled people who depend on that bus line to these far away regions? Do you know how far you have to walk?
5. Why is there NO INFORMATION ON THE SFMTA WEBSITE?
6. DID YOU TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND NOTICES TO AFFECTED RESIDENTS AND THE SF STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY?
   
7. HOW CAN MUNI DO THIS TO THE PUBLIC??????

UPDATE: SFMTA/Muni finally posted the re-route information (but hidden from the SFMTA website; I found it on 511)... but I was FASTER TO POST THIS ON MY BLOG!!!

For the 88-BART shuttle:

• Inbound towards Balboa Park Station will operate normally.
• Outbound will be re-routed due to closure of westbound John Muir Drive. At southbound Lake Merced Blvd. and Font (corrected), bus will continue on Lake Merced, cross the Daly City border, turn right on John Daly Blvd., turn right on Skyline Blvd., cross San Francisco border, and turn right onto John Muir Drive eastbound.

View Larger Map

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In this situation, there will be road closures around the golf course. This information is posted on the SFMTA's website, under the ISCOTT minutes (see here), be aware that this information is NOT yet posted on the "alerts" page of both SFMTA and 511.

Here's the road closures:

• John Muir Drive between Lake Merced blvd. and Skyline (westbound only).
• Herbst street (home to the Center for the Handicapped, SF Zoo staff entrance, and the National Guard).
• Skyline between Lake Merced Blvd. (the road that goes around the north west portion of the lake) and Great Highway.

While there is no official posting about this, expect delays anywhere around the region, even if the roads are open to traffic:

• Lake Merced blvd. between Sloat and Brotherhood will be bad, especially with the extra spectator entrance they've installed near Font.
• You can still take Skyline, but you are forced to use Great Highway to go around the closure between Great Highway and Lake Merced.
• I won't bet on this, but Sunset Blvd. may become a nightmare going Southbound.

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SF State University students, staff, and faculty... what should you do?

1. If you are going to park in the garage, bring your campus ID. Campus cops will kick-out any golf spectator who uses the garage that is exclusively for university affiliates.
2. PARKING IS BANNED (see photo below) on Lake Merced Blvd. between Winston and Font. This will be a heavy impact on the campus garage due to the large amount of street parking in that area.
   
3. If you are taking public transit, expect delays on the 29-Sunset and 18-46th Avenue.
4. Arrive to campus EARLY. Get yourself a nice breakfast on-campus.
5. If you live on John Muir drive and take the bus the campus, you may want to consider carpooling with a neighbor. Muni coverage will suck. I suggest complaining to your city supervisor and Muni officials NOW.

BREAKING: Bay Bridge may open LATE

Late night breaking news folks, during the closure of the Bay Bridge to move the temporary structure into place, bridge inspectors found a huge crack in the eastern span of the bridge.

SFgate reports the crack is two inches thick and halfway through the eye bar (not i-beam). With this problem happening, it is possible that the Bay Bridge may not reopen on-time on Tuesday.

While a possible delay of reopening the bridge might suck, let's think of the brighter side of this situation:

• Without the inspection crew doing a thorough job, this problem could have turned worse if they permitted traffic to run through and the bridge had collapsed.
• More people are taking public transit to get around town, this helps the transit agencies with record low budget deficits.
• Also, taking public transit relieves the traffic pressures and pollution.

Sigh...

Two Weeks Late - Where's Translink (SF Bay Area)?

Let the insanity begin!

The Bay Area's Translink program is now two weeks overdue for its official rollout for San Francisco's Muni and Caltrain systems.

So what's the damn holdup?

In an article by Rachel Gordon of the SF Chronicle written in April of 2008, it states that the delay for Translink " has pushed back the estimated start date for the San Francisco Municipal Railway and Caltrain to July 15 and for BART to Sept. 25."

See article here.

Come on... I know the damn things say "testing in progress," and I think the whole thing is ready to go. The readers are mostly working, although unfortunately this one I found on the 29-Sunset (a.k.a. the worst bus line in San Francisco) is not working.

Just reprogram all the readers, remove the yellow stickers, give a flier to the bus drivers on how to operate and accept the cards, and GET THE BALL ROLLING!

Muni also installed these on the far left faregates at all metro stations as well. Caltrain is allegely installing card readers at all their ticket machines, but I haven't been on that system in years.

I've been waiting for this program for over four years since I was a pilot tester, and the delays after delays are really pissing me off. HELLO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, TRANSLINK MANAGEMENT, SF MUNI MANAGEMENT, AND CALTRAIN MANAGEMENT, IT IS TIME TO GET THIS THING GOING!

OK management people, line up and bend over; it is time for your spanking for delaying the process! AND I HIT VERY HARD WITH A PADDLE WITH AIR HOLES.

Lastly, as for BART on "September 25th..." um... that's a total mystery if they will make it in just less than a month. So if they f-up, I'll be here blogging about it.