SFGov Watch

1. Director’s Report
   1. Muni Service Disruption on October 8, 2024
   2. Clipper 2.0 Rollout (Spring 2025)
   3. Muni Funding Working Group Update
   4. Muni Ridership and Recovery
2. Decisions Reached
3. Transportation 2050 Presentation
   1. Transportation 2050 Programmatic Update
   2. Fare Compliance Update
   3. Board Discussion
4. General Public Comment

Director’s Report

Muni Service Disruption on October 8, 2024

• Incident Overview: A significant Muni subway disruption occurred on October 8 near the Civic Center station due to a failure in the overhead catenary system (the arm that supports electric wires), which caused 120 feet of wire to fall, halting service for seven hours. There were no injuries.
• Response: The Muni team responded swiftly, dispatching volunteers to assist customers at impacted stations. Bus shuttles were arranged quickly, and reciprocal agreements with BART allowed customers to use their services for downtown travel.
• Lessons Learned: The incident revealed flaws in Muni’s train prediction system, which continued to predict trains that were not coming. The team realized the need to shut off the prediction system during major disruptions and provide clearer communication on what customers should expect, including when they need to switch to other modes like buses or BART.
• Board Discussion: Directors discussed the necessity of continued investment in maintenance and inspections to prevent future incidents, noting the importance of thorough investigations following such disruptions.

Clipper 2.0 Rollout (Spring 2025)

• Key Details: The rollout of Clipper 2.0, a major update to the Bay Area’s fare payment system, is expected by April 2025. This system will allow Muni to phase out the separate Muni Mobile app, providing a unified platform for all fare products, including day passes and lifeline passes.
• Key Features: Clipper 2.0 will introduce open-loop payment, enabling customers to use credit cards or mobile devices directly to tap for fare, similar to systems in New York or London. The system will also support fare capping, allowing customers to cap their daily or monthly payments after reaching a certain threshold, which promotes equity and may boost ridership.
• Board Discussion: Directors were excited about the potential for open-loop payments and fare capping, acknowledging that these changes could improve the customer experience and increase ridership. Director Tarlov asked about the transition from Muni Mobile to Clipper, to which the Director assured the board that the transition would be smooth, with a long lead time and ample communication to the public.

Muni Funding Working Group Update

• Update: The Muni Funding Working Group has been making progress on long-term strategies to ensure sustainable funding for Muni. Upcoming meetings were scheduled for October 17 and October 24, where more detailed discussions on financial strategies would take place.

Muni Ridership and Recovery

• Ridership Update: Muni ridership had recovered to approximately 78% of pre-pandemic levels, with 521,000 average daily weekday boardings. Certain lines, like the 22 Fillmore and 49 Van Ness, had exceeded pre-pandemic ridership levels by over 140%, particularly during weekends, which have seen a 92% ridership recovery. Some lines even reached 200% of pre-COVID levels on weekends.
• Impact of Work-from-Home: Director Tumlin noted that some downtown stations, like Montgomery Street, were only at 28% of pre-COVID ridership due to high rates of remote work in the city. However, Muni’s focus on non-office commutes—such as medical, school, and social trips—has driven high ridership on lines that serve these areas.
• Board Discussion: Director Heminger raised an important question about when Muni should stop using the pandemic as a reference point for ridership recovery and focus on setting new benchmarks. Tumlin agreed, noting that while pre-COVID comparisons are still useful, it might be time to focus on what the “new normal” looks like as San Francisco reinvents itself. Tumlin also mentioned that Muni ridership growth continues to outpace expectations, with no clear signs of plateauing yet, which contrasts with other transit agencies.
  Director Chen pointed out that many unique riders have returned, but are likely taking fewer trips overall due to hybrid work models, suggesting that increasing ridership might require focusing on new riders or incentivizing current riders to take more trips.

Decisions Reached

• Consent Calendar
  • The Consent Calendar included two routine parking and traffic modifications:
    • Item 10.1.A: Establishment of Residential Permit Parking Area C (900 block of Post Street).
    • Item 10.1.B: Establishment of Residential Permit Parking Area H (2500 block of Ocean Avenue).
  • The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously.
• Approval of All-Way Stop Sign at Church and 28th Streets and Transit Stop Relocations
  • The board approved a proposal to establish stop signs at Church and 28th Streets, along with relocating transit stops to improve spacing and safety on the J Church line.
• Approval of Contract with Hitachi Rail for Communications-Based Train Control System (CBTC)
  • The board approved a contract with Hitachi Rail to design and implement a Communications-Based Train Control System for $212 million over nine years, with options for additional support over 29 years.
• Approval of Contract with Verra Mobility for Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Program
  • The board approved a contract with Verra Mobility to implement an Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Program in San Francisco for $7.4 million over six years.

Transportation 2050 Presentation

Transportation 2050 Programmatic Update

• Vision: SFMTA’s long-term plan addresses future transportation needs up to 2050, focusing on growth, sustainability, and equity.
• Key Initiatives:
  • Sustainability: Transition to zero-emission fleets and green infrastructure projects.
  • Equity: Improve transit access, especially for underserved communities.
  • Infrastructure: Invest in aging systems and expand capacity, including projects like the Second Transbay Tube.
  • Technology: Leverage automation, real-time data, and fare systems like Clipper 2.0 to enhance efficiency.

Fare Compliance Update

• Challenges: Low fare compliance affects revenue, particularly with riders not consistently tapping cards.
• Strategies:
  • Education: Focus on public outreach to promote fare payment.
  • Enforcement: Increase spot checks but balance with equity considerations.
  • Tech Solutions: Clipper 2.0 will include features like fare capping and open-loop payments, making it easier for riders to comply.

Board Discussion

• Fare Enforcement: Directors emphasized balancing enforcement with equity, suggesting discounts for low-income riders.
• Clipper 2.0: Optimism around simplifying fare payments and reducing reliance on punitive enforcement.
• 2050 Vision: Support for the plan but concerns over securing sustainable funding to achieve these ambitious goals.

General Public Comment

• Transit Stop Spacing:
  • Suggestions were made to reduce closely spaced Muni stops to improve speed and reduce operational costs, citing inefficiencies on lines like L Taraval and 43 Masonic.
• Pedestrianization Expansion:
  • A proposal was put forward to expand the Hayes Street shared space from two to three days per week, with strong community support from residents and local merchants.
• Speed Camera Program:
  • Support was expressed for the speed camera pilot program to address rising pedestrian deaths, stressing the importance of quick implementation to improve road safety.
• Bus Fleet and Stop Accessibility:
  • Concerns were raised about the shrinking Muni bus fleet and overcrowding, along with difficulties for seniors and disabled individuals due to increased distances between bus stops.
• Taxi Stand Management:
  • Criticism was directed at event organizers for poorly managing taxi stands, allowing cars to occupy spaces designated for taxis, and frustrations with the Color Curb Program were mentioned.