Posted on 04/06/2020 5:22:09 PM PDT by moviefan8
Muni’s massive cutback in service to cope with the coronavirus pandemic will leave just 17 bus routes active in San Francisco, with the rollout starting in phases Tuesday and taking full effect Wednesday.
The decision to eliminate service on 51 of Muni’s 68 bus lines was made because almost 40% of the citywide transit system’s drivers were not expected to report for shifts Monday, said Jeffrey Tumlin, the agency’s transportation director. The drivers are considered to be in high-risk groups if they were to contract the virus.
When the cuts are completed, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s system will be slashed to the following lines: N Judah Bus; L Taraval Bus; T Third Bus; 1 California; 8 Bayshore; 9 San Bruno; 14 Mission; 14R Mission Rapid; 19 Polk; 22 Fillmore; 24 Divisadero; 25 Treasure Island; 29 Sunset; 38 Geary; 38R Geary Rapid; 44 O’Shaughnessy; and 49 Van Ness/Mission.
All the stories, all the time Unlock The Chronicle for 95¢ SUBSCRIBE Muni Metro’s subway and light rail operations were shut down a week ago and replaced with buses.
At a news conference Monday, Tumlin made an unfamiliar plea for people to stay away from Muni if possible. Only essential workers like doctors and nurses, shelter and hotel workers, as well as San Franciscans headed to work, the supermarket or pharmacy, should get on the bus, he said.
“As a lifelong advocate of transit and director of the SFMTA, I never thought I’d say this, but please, if you have any other option getting around, please do not ride Muni,” Tumlin said.
While all Muni lines were still scheduled to operate Monday, officials warned that a shortage of operators would cause havoc on many lines, as buses were expected to run late and have large gaps in service.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfchronicle.com ...
More fares for me!!
If only there was a way to hire drivers from lower risk groups.
Well, bus packing will certainly not help.
Here in Indianapolis, they made all the public transit free to ride because there was concern that fare boxes were a disease issue.
So now the drivers are in an uproar because homeless people are riding the buses all day and night.
“The government will look after you.”
“You don’t need a car in cities with good public transit.”
Petri dish on wheels...
I smell government bailout begging coming.
"They" have been doing everything possible to get people out of cars. Bus-only streets, replacing lanes with bicycle-only lanes, etc. Truth is, buses are yucky and crime-infested, and don't easily get you from point A to B. Plus they're a drain of tax dollars.
The few times I rode the buses in SF a couple of years ago they were always totally packed.
Cutting the # can only make it worse.
Turns out that Agenda 21 is unsustainable.
Guess you need a car now since public transit is cutting back.
You are probably right.
Hey, as I’ve been saying, I already practice “social distancing.” I drive a car and live in the suburbs. The “new urbanism” and “car-free” movements look even dumber than before.
The chicken story reminded me of the MASH episode (final one?) where Hawkeye had a nervous breakdown on a bus. It wasn’t a chicken, but a baby. Very sad for the child.
What are the homeless going to use for bathrooms?
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