Joe Burn

Michael McLaughlin

Locals have been staging protests and demanding city action after a 70-year-old man was killed by a truck while using the crosswalk at Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street Tuesday.&nbsp;

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Locals have been staging protests and demanding city action after a 70-year-old man was killed by a truck while using the crosswalk at Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street Tuesday.&nbsp;

But transit chief Jeffrey Tumlin says safety improvements are unlikely to happen near that stretch of Parnassus and that the man’s death was practically unavoidable given the location.

But transit chief Jeffrey Tumlin says safety improvements are unlikely to happen near that stretch of Parnassus and that the man’s death was practically unavoidable given the location.

The area where the man, identified as Jose Chow, was killed is an essential access point for UCSF’s emergency room and Spinal Trauma Center, said Tumlin, director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.&nbsp;

The area where the man, identified as Jose Chow, was killed is an essential access point for UCSF’s emergency room and Spinal Trauma Center, said Tumlin, director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.&nbsp;

“In a case where it’s a primary fire and ambulance route, we can almost never use things like speed humps,” Tumlin told The Standard in an interview, explaining that a spinal injury could be worsened by humps for a patient in an ambulance.

“In a case where it’s a primary fire and ambulance route, we can almost never use things like speed humps,” Tumlin told The Standard in an interview, explaining that a spinal injury could be worsened by humps for a patient in an ambulance.

A bus drives by as people look at the memorial at the intersection of Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. On Tuesday, a person was killed after being hit by a truck at the intersection. Before Tuesday’s death, there had been at least 19 pedestrians killed in crashes this year, according to city data. Walk SF said the death is the 20th so far this year.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2000" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241023-crashfolo-es-13.jpg?w=2500" alt="A street scene with a &quot;Parnassus&quot; sign, two people walking, and a tree. A blurred bus passes by, and there are yellow heart decorations and flowers on the post." class="wp-image-324530"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A bus drives by as people mourn at the traffic death memorial at Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street.</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241023-crashfolo-es-13.jpg?w=2500" alt="A street scene with a &quot;Parnassus&quot; sign, two people walking, and a tree. A blurred bus passes by, and there are yellow heart decorations and flowers on the post." class="wp-image-324530"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A bus drives by as people mourn at the traffic death memorial at Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street.</figcaption></figure>

A sign at the intersection of Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street warns passersby about a deadly collision that took place days earlier when a dump truck ran into 70-year-old Jose Chow. The Oct. 22, 2024, collision marked the city's 20th traffic death of the year.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1875" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5703.jpeg?w=2500" alt="A street corner features a pole with a sign reading: &quot;A driver killed our neighbor here, October 22, 2024.&quot; A yellow taxi is parked by shops." class="wp-image-325715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign at the intersection warns passersby about the collision that marked the city&#8217;s 20th traffic death of the year.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5703.jpeg?w=2500" alt="A street corner features a pole with a sign reading: &quot;A driver killed our neighbor here, October 22, 2024.&quot; A yellow taxi is parked by shops." class="wp-image-325715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign at the intersection warns passersby about the collision that marked the city's 20th traffic death of the year.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5703.jpeg?w=2500" alt="A street corner features a pole with a sign reading: &quot;A driver killed our neighbor here, October 22, 2024.&quot; A yellow taxi is parked by shops." class="wp-image-325715"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign at the intersection warns passersby about the collision that marked the city&#8217;s 20th traffic death of the year.</figcaption></figure>

Fire trucks have to slow down to almost a complete stop to pass a speed hump, he said.&nbsp;

Fire trucks have to slow down to almost a complete stop to pass a speed hump, he said.&nbsp;

Preliminary police information does not suggest speeding was a factor in Chow’s death when he was hit by a dump truck turning right from Stanyan Street onto Parnassus, the transit director said.

Preliminary police information does not suggest speeding was a factor in Chow’s death when he was hit by a dump truck turning right from Stanyan Street onto Parnassus, the transit director said.

The light was green, Tumlin said, citing initial police reports.

The light was green, Tumlin said, citing initial police reports.

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Even if speeding was a factor, the streets aren’t on the city’s High Injury Network list, meaning accidents rarely happen and installing speed cameras there isn’t allowed under state law, Tumlin said.

Even if speeding was a factor, the streets aren’t on the city’s High Injury Network list, meaning accidents rarely happen and installing speed cameras there isn’t allowed under state law, Tumlin said.

“So there’s basically no options because it’s an emergency room,” he said. “There’s no current options.”

“So there’s basically no options because it’s an emergency room,” he said. “There’s no current options.”

Tumlin said he spoke with UCSF leadership on Thursday to see if they could explore other ways to make the area safer, but he cautioned that doing so would take time.

Tumlin said he spoke with UCSF leadership on Thursday to see if they could explore other ways to make the area safer, but he cautioned that doing so would take time.

A memorial to people killed by cars in San Francisco sprung up at the intersection of Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street, where a dump truck killed a 70-year-old Jose Chow on Oct. 22, 2024. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2500" width="1875" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5701.jpeg?w=1875" alt="Yellow heart-shaped signs on a pole with handwritten names and dates. Flowers are placed below, partially wilted and vibrant marigolds." class="wp-image-325713"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At the corner where a truck fatally struck Jose Chow, yellow hearts were taped up to memorialize other people killed by cars in San Francisco.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5701.jpeg?w=1875" alt="Yellow heart-shaped signs on a pole with handwritten names and dates. Flowers are placed below, partially wilted and vibrant marigolds." class="wp-image-325713"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">At the corner where a truck fatally struck Jose Chow, yellow hearts were taped up to memorialize other people killed by cars in San Francisco.</figcaption></figure>

Hope Giron, 23, has lived near the intersection of Stanyan Street and Parnassus Avenue for 10 years.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1875" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_2047.jpg?w=2500" alt="A smiling woman with glasses stands on the street, holding a jacket. She's in front of a store with sunflowers in barrels, and some produce on display." class="wp-image-325553"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hope Giron, 23, has lived near the intersection of Stanyan Street and Parnassus Avenue for 10 years.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_2047.jpg?w=2500" alt="A smiling woman with glasses stands on the street, holding a jacket. She's in front of a store with sunflowers in barrels, and some produce on display." class="wp-image-325553"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hope Giron, 23, has lived near the intersection of Stanyan Street and Parnassus Avenue for 10 years.</figcaption></figure>

A memorial for people killed by cars in San Francisco overlooks Parnassus Avenue and Stanyan Street, where a dump truck killed a 70-year-old Jose Chow on Oct. 22, 2024. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="2500" width="1875" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5700.jpeg?w=1875" alt="A bicycle sign has handwritten and printed notices attached, detailing a fatal traffic accident and demanding safety improvements." class="wp-image-325716"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign taped up by safe-streets activists demands safer infrastructure, including a walk signal and an illuminated crosswalk. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_5700.jpeg?w=1875" alt="A bicycle sign has handwritten and printed notices attached, detailing a fatal traffic accident and demanding safety improvements." class="wp-image-325716"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign taped up by safe-streets activists demands safer infrastructure, including a walk signal and an illuminated crosswalk. </figcaption></figure>

Reacting to Tumlin’s comments, Hope Giron agreed that speed humps were likely not the answer due to the hospital route.&nbsp;

Reacting to Tumlin’s comments, Hope Giron agreed that speed humps were likely not the answer due to the hospital route.&nbsp;

Instead, the 23-year-old, who has lived in the area for a decade, thought the city should place flashing lights at the intersection like those seen near schools.&nbsp;

Instead, the 23-year-old, who has lived in the area for a decade, thought the city should place flashing lights at the intersection like those seen near schools.&nbsp;

“If we had one of those here, that would be perfect,” she said. “People need to slow down,&nbsp; drivers need to pay attention, and pedestrians need to look up.”

“If we had one of those here, that would be perfect,” she said. “People need to slow down,&nbsp; drivers need to pay attention, and pedestrians need to look up.”

Correction: A previous version of this article stated the intersection had a walk sign, according to SFMTA director Jeffrey Tumlin. The intersection does not have a walk sign.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated the intersection had a walk sign, according to SFMTA director Jeffrey Tumlin. The intersection does not have a walk sign.

Pedestrian’s killing by truck was likely unavoidable, transit boss says

Astrid Kane

Think you know Muni? Like, really know it? Now you can put your street smarts — and streetcar smarts — to the test every day with The Standard’s first official guessing game, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/games/routle/">Routle</a>.&nbsp;

Think you know Muni? Like, really know it? Now you can put your street smarts — and streetcar smarts — to the test every day with The Standard’s first official guessing game, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/games/routle/">Routle</a>.&nbsp;

We first reported on Routle <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/30/routle-is-wordle-for-muni/">in December</a>, sharing the story of the London-based software engineer and transit nerd River Honer, who created the addictive game in a single day as an homage to a city they love. Now we&#8217;re rolling out the game as an exclusive partnership, playable on both The Standard&#8217;s<a href="https://sfstandard.com/games/routle/"> mobile and desktop sites</a>.

Play a new Muni guessing game built by an engineer who misses SF

We first reported on Routle <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/30/routle-is-wordle-for-muni/">in December</a>, sharing the story of the London-based software engineer and transit nerd River Honer, who created the addictive game in a single day as an homage to a city they love. Now we're rolling out the game as an exclusive partnership, playable on both The Standard's<a href="https://sfstandard.com/games/routle/"> mobile and desktop sites</a>.

We first reported on Routle <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/12/30/routle-is-wordle-for-muni/">in December</a>, sharing the story of the London-based software engineer and transit nerd River Honer, who created the addictive game in a single day as an homage to a city they love. Now we&#8217;re rolling out the game as an exclusive partnership, playable on both The Standard&#8217;s<a href="https://sfstandard.com/games/routle/"> mobile and desktop sites</a>.

It works similarly to Wordle, but instead of giving players six chances to spell a five-letter word, Routle offers up a San Francisco transit line against a plain white background. You have five chances to guess which route it is.

It works similarly to Wordle, but instead of giving players six chances to spell a five-letter word, Routle offers up a San Francisco transit line against a plain white background. You have five chances to guess which route it is.

Incorrect answers are laid out in red, gradually forming a skeleton Muni map that offers geographic hints. Couldn’t get it? Come back to The Standard tomorrow and try again. The game is randomized for all 60 or so of the city’s bus and streetcar lines, from the 1 California to the T Third Street.

Incorrect answers are laid out in red, gradually forming a skeleton Muni map that offers geographic hints. Couldn’t get it? Come back to The Standard tomorrow and try again. The game is randomized for all 60 or so of the city’s bus and streetcar lines, from the 1 California to the T Third Street.

Routle isn’t too difficult — at least, not if you know the 5 Fulton from the 12 Folsom/Pacific. Honer has constructed a route-planning app called <a href="https://www.munionthego.com/">Muni on the Go</a> and collaborated on other software in the public interest, like <a href="https://thisshouldbehousing.com/">a vacancy-mapping app</a> intended to demonstrate the feasibility of building social housing. They modeled this game after playing a similar one for London, <a href="https://metrodle.com/">Metrodle</a>.&nbsp;

Routle isn’t too difficult — at least, not if you know the 5 Fulton from the 12 Folsom/Pacific. Honer has constructed a route-planning app called <a href="https://www.munionthego.com/">Muni on the Go</a> and collaborated on other software in the public interest, like <a href="https://thisshouldbehousing.com/">a vacancy-mapping app</a> intended to demonstrate the feasibility of building social housing. They modeled this game after playing a similar one for London, <a href="https://metrodle.com/">Metrodle</a>.&nbsp;

For the next year, Honer will be working on other games for The Standard, possibly even versions of Routle for other cities. Subscriber-only Routle features (such as a leaderboard) are also in the works, so <a href="https://sfstandard.com/membership/">become a Standard member</a> and get in on the action.

For the next year, Honer will be working on other games for The Standard, possibly even versions of Routle for other cities. Subscriber-only Routle features (such as a leaderboard) are also in the works, so <a href="https://sfstandard.com/membership/">become a Standard member</a> and get in on the action.

Introducing Routle, The Standard’s new — and highly addictive — daily transit game

Garrett Leahy

San Francisco and federal officials on Wednesday toured a transit center called &#8220;The Portal&#8221; that is under construction and slated to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/12/what-is-the-portal-san-franciscos-future-downtown-rail-line-plan-gets-a-new-name-and-merch/">bring regional and city transit together</a> and recently <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-downtown-rail-extension-portal-cost/">went up in cost</a> by more than $1 billion.

What is &#8216;The Portal&#8217;? San Francisco&#8217;s future downtown rail line plan gets a new name, and merch

Cost of San Francisco Downtown Rail Extension swells to $8.2B

San Francisco and federal officials on Wednesday toured a transit center called "The Portal" that is under construction and slated to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/12/what-is-the-portal-san-franciscos-future-downtown-rail-line-plan-gets-a-new-name-and-merch/">bring regional and city transit together</a> and recently <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-downtown-rail-extension-portal-cost/">went up in cost</a> by more than $1 billion.

San Francisco and federal officials on Wednesday toured a transit center called &#8220;The Portal&#8221; that is under construction and slated to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/12/what-is-the-portal-san-franciscos-future-downtown-rail-line-plan-gets-a-new-name-and-merch/">bring regional and city transit together</a> and recently <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-downtown-rail-extension-portal-cost/">went up in cost</a> by more than $1 billion.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/02/elon-musk-twitter-probe-sec/">Elon Musk Sues to Avoid Testifying in SEC Twitter Probe</a>

Elon Musk sues to avoid testifying in SEC Twitter probe

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/02/elon-musk-twitter-probe-sec/">Elon Musk Sues to Avoid Testifying in SEC Twitter Probe</a>

Shortly after the price hike, tech billionaire Elon Musk claimed his tunneling company, <a href="https://www.boringcompany.com">the Boring Company</a>, could build the project for 1% of the multibillion-dollar cost.

Shortly after the price hike, tech billionaire Elon Musk claimed his tunneling company, <a href="https://www.boringcompany.com">the Boring Company</a>, could build the project for 1% of the multibillion-dollar cost.

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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1718119043041812955?s=46&amp;t=XHTt7crz0jAu-2_PuczCSQ
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">This will take an eternity and hurt taxpayers badly. The <a href="https://twitter.com/boringcompany?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@boringcompany</a> can solve this problem for ~1% of this cost.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1718119043041812955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-downtown-rail-extension-portal-cost/">Cost of San Francisco Downtown Rail Extension Swells to $8.2B</a>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/27/san-francisco-downtown-rail-extension-portal-cost/">Cost of San Francisco Downtown Rail Extension Swells to $8.2B</a>

An official leading the project&#8217;s construction pushed back on Musk&#8217;s claim after the tour.

An official leading the project's construction pushed back on Musk's claim after the tour.

An official leading the project&#8217;s construction pushed back on Musk&#8217;s claim after the tour.

“What we’re doing is different than their company was founded to do, at least to date,” said Adam Van de Water, executive director of the <a href="https://www.tjpa.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transbay Joint Powers Authority</a>, which is heading up construction of the transit center.

“What we’re doing is different than their company was founded to do, at least to date,” said Adam Van de Water, executive director of the <a href="https://www.tjpa.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transbay Joint Powers Authority</a>, which is heading up construction of the transit center.

Van de Water said Musk&#8217;s company specializes in smaller tunnels meant for single-occupancy vehicles and not tunnels meant to accommodate mass transit.

Van de Water said Musk's company specializes in smaller tunnels meant for single-occupancy vehicles and not tunnels meant to accommodate mass transit.

Van de Water said Musk&#8217;s company specializes in smaller tunnels meant for single-occupancy vehicles and not tunnels meant to accommodate mass transit.

“I did see [Musk&#8217;s] tweet, and we’re excited [The Portal] is getting more exposure and awareness,&#8221; Van de Water said.

“I did see [Musk's] tweet, and we’re excited [The Portal] is getting more exposure and awareness," Van de Water said.

“I did see [Musk&#8217;s] tweet, and we’re excited [The Portal] is getting more exposure and awareness,&#8221; Van de Water said.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/12/what-is-the-portal-san-franciscos-future-downtown-rail-line-plan-gets-a-new-name-and-merch/">What is ‘The Portal’? San Francisco’s Future Downtown Rail Line Plan Gets a New Name, and Merch</a>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/09/12/what-is-the-portal-san-franciscos-future-downtown-rail-line-plan-gets-a-new-name-and-merch/">What is ‘The Portal’? San Francisco’s Future Downtown Rail Line Plan Gets a New Name, and Merch</a>

Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive director Adam Van de Water shows acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su the space under the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. A new high-speed rail terminus is going to be built under the facility.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-9.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217396"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the space under the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday. A new high-speed rail terminus is going to be built under the facility.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-9.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217396"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the space under the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday. A new high-speed rail terminus is going to be built under the facility.</figcaption></figure>

The Portal, formerly called the Downtown Rail Extension, is a tunneling project that will link Caltrain from the station at Fourth and Townsend streets to AC Transit and San Francisco Muni buses inside the Salesforce Transit Center at 425 Mission St.

The Portal, formerly called the Downtown Rail Extension, is a tunneling project that will link Caltrain from the station at Fourth and Townsend streets to AC Transit and San Francisco Muni buses inside the Salesforce Transit Center at 425 Mission St.

The Portal is viewed by transit boosters as a linchpin of a regional transit system that will eventually unite Caltrain, San Francisco’s bus system and high-speed rail.

The Portal is viewed by transit boosters as a linchpin of a regional transit system that will eventually unite Caltrain, San Francisco’s bus system and high-speed rail.

Van de Water said Caltrain is expected to service the Salesforce Transit Center via The Portal by 2032, and that if high-speed rail were fully funded immediately, those trains could service the station by 2033.

Van de Water said Caltrain is expected to service the Salesforce Transit Center via The Portal by 2032, and that if high-speed rail were fully funded immediately, those trains could service the station by 2033.

After the tour, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su lauded and expressed support for unions that worked on the project, which Van de Water said used labor and materials from 48 U.S. states.

After the tour, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su lauded and expressed support for unions that worked on the project, which Van de Water said used labor and materials from 48 U.S. states.

Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive director Adam Van de Water shows acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. A new high-speed rail terminus is going to be built under the facility.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-3.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217390"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-3.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217390"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco on Wednesday.</figcaption></figure>

“President Biden believes by investing in America, investing in workers, we can build a stronger nation,” Su said. &#8220;All of that can be done through good union jobs and a path to the middle class.&#8221;

“President Biden believes by investing in America, investing in workers, we can build a stronger nation,” Su said. "All of that can be done through good union jobs and a path to the middle class."

“President Biden believes by investing in America, investing in workers, we can build a stronger nation,” Su said. &#8220;All of that can be done through good union jobs and a path to the middle class.&#8221;

The Downtown Rail Extension has been decades in the making, and its estimated cost has ballooned from $6.5 billion to a staggering $8.25 billion since October 2022, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In 2016, the cost of the rail extension was estimated <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/downtown-rail-extension" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at $3.9 billion</a>.&nbsp;

The Downtown Rail Extension has been decades in the making, and its estimated cost has ballooned from $6.5 billion to a staggering $8.25 billion since October 2022, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In 2016, the cost of the rail extension was estimated <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/projects/downtown-rail-extension" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at $3.9 billion</a>.&nbsp;

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1668" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-7.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217394"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the space under the Salesforce Transit Center.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/inside8bntransitcenter-7.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-217394"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van de Water shows acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su the space under the Salesforce Transit Center.</figcaption></figure>

Of the recent cost increase, $729 million is attributed to a request that the federal government credit the costs of a train box at the transit center that Van de Water described as &#8220;mostly completed.&#8221;

Of the recent cost increase, $729 million is attributed to a request that the federal government credit the costs of a train box at the transit center that Van de Water described as "mostly completed."

Of the recent cost increase, $729 million is attributed to a request that the federal government credit the costs of a train box at the transit center that Van de Water described as &#8220;mostly completed.&#8221;

The remaining $7.5 billion in cost is completing the platforms at Fourth and Townsend stations and the Salesforce Transit Center and boring a tunnel miles through the ground to connect the two stations with Caltrain service.

The remaining $7.5 billion in cost is completing the platforms at Fourth and Townsend stations and the Salesforce Transit Center and boring a tunnel miles through the ground to connect the two stations with Caltrain service.

A person was fatally struck by an early morning test train along tracks in San Carlos, Caltrain said Sunday.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1663" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0472.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-186482"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caltrain&#8217;s new electric fleet was available for a first-glance tour in San Jose on July 29.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0472.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-186482"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caltrain's new electric fleet was available for a first-glance tour in San Jose on July 29.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_0472.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-186482"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caltrain&#8217;s new electric fleet was available for a first-glance tour in San Jose on July 29.</figcaption></figure>

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority said in 2022 that the rail extension would bring “California’s statewide high-speed rail service into Downtown San Francisco at the TJPA multimodal facility, Salesforce Transit Center, which currently connects nine transit systems (found within and around) to eight Bay Area counties.”

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority said in 2022 that the rail extension would bring “California’s statewide high-speed rail service into Downtown San Francisco at the TJPA multimodal facility, Salesforce Transit Center, which currently connects nine transit systems (found within and around) to eight Bay Area counties.”

California has been developing a high-speed rail system running between San Francisco and Los Angeles since voters approved it in 2008. As of May 2023, <a href="https://buildhsr.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90 miles of guideway</a>, a track or riding surface to <a href="https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/programs/eir_memos/Proj_Guidelines_TM2_3_3R00.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">support or guide transit vehicles</a>, have been built, with <a href="https://hsr.ca.gov/about/high-speed-rail-authority/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another 119 miles</a> of the project under construction, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

California has been developing a high-speed rail system running between San Francisco and Los Angeles since voters approved it in 2008. As of May 2023, <a href="https://buildhsr.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">90 miles of guideway</a>, a track or riding surface to <a href="https://hsr.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/programs/eir_memos/Proj_Guidelines_TM2_3_3R00.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">support or guide transit vehicles</a>, have been built, with <a href="https://hsr.ca.gov/about/high-speed-rail-authority/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another 119 miles</a> of the project under construction, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

San Francisco’s $8B transit center boss fires back at Elon Musk’s claim he could do it cheaper

Gabe Greschler

To stanch the fiscal wounds that have roiled Bay Area transportation since the start of the pandemic, two Bay Area lawmakers are proposing a ballot measure for November 2026 that would inject massive funding into regional transit agencies.

To stanch the fiscal wounds that have roiled Bay Area transportation since the start of the pandemic, two Bay Area lawmakers are proposing a ballot measure for November 2026 that would inject massive funding into regional transit agencies.

Senate Bill 1031 would amass between $750 million and $2 billion a year through taxes to beef up funding across the nine Bay Area counties in an attempt to avoid service cuts and improve roadways.

Senate Bill 1031 would amass between $750 million and $2 billion a year through taxes to beef up funding across the nine Bay Area counties in an attempt to avoid service cuts and improve roadways.

The legislation would also call for a plan to consolidate at least some of the 27 transit operators across the region in response to years of mounting complaints from riders who have described the labyrinth of bureaucratic agencies as confusing and a barrier to better service.

The legislation would also call for a plan to consolidate at least some of the 27 transit operators across the region in response to years of mounting complaints from riders who have described the labyrinth of bureaucratic agencies as confusing and a barrier to better service.

&#8220;We need to keep moving,&#8221; said state Sen. Scott Wiener at a press conference on Monday at San Francisco&#8217;s Powell BART Station. &#8220;We need to have as strong a transportation system as possible.&#8221;

"We need to keep moving," said state Sen. Scott Wiener at a press conference on Monday at San Francisco's Powell BART Station. "We need to have as strong a transportation system as possible."

&#8220;We need to keep moving,&#8221; said state Sen. Scott Wiener at a press conference on Monday at San Francisco&#8217;s Powell BART Station. &#8220;We need to have as strong a transportation system as possible.&#8221;

The bill would first need to pass at the state level before heading to the ballot box. It could pull from a variety of funding streams that include sales, business payroll or parcel taxes. The rate at which those taxes could increase would be decided by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

The bill would first need to pass at the state level before heading to the ballot box. It could pull from a variety of funding streams that include sales, business payroll or parcel taxes. The rate at which those taxes could increase would be decided by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

The legislation comes as post-pandemic ridership continues to climb but has struggled to fully recover in the face of work-from-home trends that have significantly impacted potential commuters.

The legislation comes as post-pandemic ridership continues to climb but has struggled to fully recover in the face of work-from-home trends that have significantly impacted potential commuters.

Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) speaks at a press conference launching the “Connect Bay Area Act” for the 2026 ballot at Hallidie Plaza in San Francisco on March 18, 2024. The act, also referred to as Senate Bill 1031, is focused on providing transportation funding.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img height="1667" width="2500" src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ballottransportation109.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman speaks at a rally holding a model bus, with protesters and signs saying &quot;Fund Transit Now&quot; in the background." class="wp-image-260282"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">State Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) speaks at a press conference about Senate Bill 1031 at Hallidie Plaza in San Francisco on Monday.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ballottransportation109.jpg?w=2500" alt="A woman speaks at a rally holding a model bus, with protesters and signs saying &quot;Fund Transit Now&quot; in the background." class="wp-image-260282"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">State Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) speaks at a press conference about Senate Bill 1031 at Hallidie Plaza in San Francisco on Monday.</figcaption></figure>

Across the entire region, public transportation services are only seeing about two-thirds as many riders compared to pre-2020 levels, according to Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesperson Rebecca Long. Recovery figures vary for specific agencies: BART is at 45% of pre-pandemic ridership, while Muni is at 70%.

Across the entire region, public transportation services are only seeing about two-thirds as many riders compared to pre-2020 levels, according to Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesperson Rebecca Long. Recovery figures vary for specific agencies: BART is at 45% of pre-pandemic ridership, while Muni is at 70%.

“We’re&nbsp;building a legacy of transit that will bring the Bay Area forward,” said state Sen. Aisha Wahab, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Wiener.

“We’re&nbsp;building a legacy of transit that will bring the Bay Area forward,” said state Sen. Aisha Wahab, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Wiener.

Without a boost in funding, transit advocates on Monday warned of a &#8220;death spiral&#8221; whereby service cuts could further diminish ridership, leading to ever-worsening budget crises. The commission estimated that Bay Area transit operators will face a budget deficit of at least $600 million if new funding doesn&#8217;t come through.

Without a boost in funding, transit advocates on Monday warned of a "death spiral" whereby service cuts could further diminish ridership, leading to ever-worsening budget crises. The commission estimated that Bay Area transit operators will face a budget deficit of at least $600 million if new funding doesn't come through.

Without a boost in funding, transit advocates on Monday warned of a &#8220;death spiral&#8221; whereby service cuts could further diminish ridership, leading to ever-worsening budget crises. The commission estimated that Bay Area transit operators will face a budget deficit of at least $600 million if new funding doesn&#8217;t come through.

State legislators have tried to get more funding for transit in recent years. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/27/bart-muni-fiscal-cliff-rescue-funds-fare-evasion/">Lawmakers recently put $400 million</a> from state coffers into Bay Area agencies to help avoid a fiscal cliff, but that funding will dry up by mid-2026.

Bay Area transit gets $747M lifeline, but there&#8217;s a catch for BART and Muni

State legislators have tried to get more funding for transit in recent years. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/27/bart-muni-fiscal-cliff-rescue-funds-fare-evasion/">Lawmakers recently put $400 million</a> from state coffers into Bay Area agencies to help avoid a fiscal cliff, but that funding will dry up by mid-2026.

&#8220;We were able to avoid that reckoning for a few years,&#8221; Wiener said. &#8220;But people are also demanding more reliable and safer service.&#8221;

"We were able to avoid that reckoning for a few years," Wiener said. "But people are also demanding more reliable and safer service."

&#8220;We were able to avoid that reckoning for a few years,&#8221; Wiener said. &#8220;But people are also demanding more reliable and safer service.&#8221;

Bay Area transit gets $747M lifeline, but there’s a catch for BART and Muni

Go take a hike—without a car—on these sweet Bay Area trails accessible by public transit

The legislative effort announced Monday would also include a variety of capital improvements, including zero-emission vehicles, pothole repairs and more bicycle routes.

The legislative effort announced Monday would also include a variety of capital improvements, including zero-emission vehicles, pothole repairs and more bicycle routes.

Chonita Chew, a Berkeley resident who helps advocate for seniors seeking better transit options, told The Standard that Wiener and Wahab&#8217;s bill will help provide a vital service for her community but will likely take a lot of heavy lifting on behalf of elected officials and organizers to see to completion.

Chonita Chew, a Berkeley resident who helps advocate for seniors seeking better transit options, told The Standard that Wiener and Wahab's bill will help provide a vital service for her community but will likely take a lot of heavy lifting on behalf of elected officials and organizers to see to completion.

Chonita Chew, a Berkeley resident who helps advocate for seniors seeking better transit options, told The Standard that Wiener and Wahab&#8217;s bill will help provide a vital service for her community but will likely take a lot of heavy lifting on behalf of elected officials and organizers to see to completion.

&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be so long before they work out all the tweaks,&#8221; Chew said. &#8220;For all these seniors, by the time they work out all the tweaks, it&#8217;ll be ready to roll for them.&#8221;

"It's going to be so long before they work out all the tweaks," Chew said. "For all these seniors, by the time they work out all the tweaks, it'll be ready to roll for them."

&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be so long before they work out all the tweaks,&#8221; Chew said. &#8220;For all these seniors, by the time they work out all the tweaks, it&#8217;ll be ready to roll for them.&#8221;

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the ridership recovery figures for BART and Muni.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the ridership recovery figures for BART and Muni.

Warning of ‘death spiral,’ lawmakers seek $2B tax hike for transit

Laura Tolkoff

Jim Chappell 

Though public transit is a perpetual punching bag for San Francisco critics, if you look closer, a real transformation has been happening at Muni.&nbsp;

Though public transit is a perpetual punching bag for San Francisco critics, if you look closer, a real transformation has been happening at Muni.&nbsp;

In the wake of the pandemic, the public agency that runs San Francisco’s transit system has been making significant changes that have improved speed, reliability, cleanliness, and safety. By all measures, these efforts are paying off. Ridership is up on many core routes, with nearly 1 million more riders overall since the same time last year. And customer satisfaction is significantly higher than before the pandemic, recently earning its highest rating from riders since 2001.

In the wake of the pandemic, the public agency that runs San Francisco’s transit system has been making significant changes that have improved speed, reliability, cleanliness, and safety. By all measures, these efforts are paying off. Ridership is up on many core routes, with nearly 1 million more riders overall since the same time last year. And customer satisfaction is significantly higher than before the pandemic, recently earning its highest rating from riders since 2001.

As an advocate for high-quality transit, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) has sometimes been one of Muni’s critics. In our 2005 report “<a href="https://www.spur.org/publications/spur-report/2005-05-18/reversing-munis-downward-spiral">Reversing Muni’s Downward Spiral</a>,” we argued that Muni was on an unsustainable trajectory, with a $60 million deficit and costs increasing much faster than revenues.

As an advocate for high-quality transit, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) has sometimes been one of Muni’s critics. In our 2005 report “<a href="https://www.spur.org/publications/spur-report/2005-05-18/reversing-munis-downward-spiral">Reversing Muni’s Downward Spiral</a>,” we argued that Muni was on an unsustainable trajectory, with a $60 million deficit and costs increasing much faster than revenues.

At the time, SPUR proposed two key remedies. First, we argued that Muni should invest in making buses faster and more reliable. Second, we urged Muni to carry more riders and reduce wait times and delays on its most productive routes. Over the last four years, Muni has done both.&nbsp;

At the time, SPUR proposed two key remedies. First, we argued that Muni should invest in making buses faster and more reliable. Second, we urged Muni to carry more riders and reduce wait times and delays on its most productive routes. Over the last four years, Muni has done both.&nbsp;

Ridership continues to steadily increase. The Van Ness Corridor has <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/reports/average-daily-muni-boardings-route-and-month-pre-pandemic-present">almost 50% more riders than</a> pre-COVID levels on weekdays and weekends. Overall, Muni carried 900,000 more trips this September over that time last year, and weekday ridership is back up to 78% of pre-pandemic levels. This year, <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/blog/2024-muni-rider-survey-shows-big-improvements">72% of customers rated</a> Muni as good or excellent, its highest satisfaction rating in more than 20 years.&nbsp;

Ridership continues to steadily increase. The Van Ness Corridor has <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/reports/average-daily-muni-boardings-route-and-month-pre-pandemic-present">almost 50% more riders than</a> pre-COVID levels on weekdays and weekends. Overall, Muni carried 900,000 more trips this September over that time last year, and weekday ridership is back up to 78% of pre-pandemic levels. This year, <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/blog/2024-muni-rider-survey-shows-big-improvements">72% of customers rated</a> Muni as good or excellent, its highest satisfaction rating in more than 20 years.&nbsp;

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/how-we-make-changes-muni-service">restructured Muni service </a>to adapt to post-pandemic travel patterns, adding service on routes that serve schools and in neighborhoods with high percentages of low-income households. Muni has speeded up buses on many routes with improvements that get transit out of traffic and reduce delays. In the last four years, the agency delivered 22 miles of new or upgraded transit lanes, the fastest expansion in the city’s history.&nbsp;

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/how-we-make-changes-muni-service">restructured Muni service </a>to adapt to post-pandemic travel patterns, adding service on routes that serve schools and in neighborhoods with high percentages of low-income households. Muni has speeded up buses on many routes with improvements that get transit out of traffic and reduce delays. In the last four years, the agency delivered 22 miles of new or upgraded transit lanes, the fastest expansion in the city’s history.&nbsp;

Twenty years ago, Muni was in a downward spiral, and now Muni appears to be enjoying a virtuous cycle. But that cycle can only continue with the support of voters on Nov. 5. Due largely to factors beyond its control, Muni is facing an <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/SFCTA_Board_Item16B_SFMTATransitRecoveryandFiscalCliffPRESENTATION_2024-07-23.pdf">imminent annual operating shortfall</a> estimated at $239 million to $322 million, beginning in 2026. This is where Propositions L and M on this year’s ballot become essential.

Twenty years ago, Muni was in a downward spiral, and now Muni appears to be enjoying a virtuous cycle. But that cycle can only continue with the support of voters on Nov. 5. Due largely to factors beyond its control, Muni is facing an <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/SFCTA_Board_Item16B_SFMTATransitRecoveryandFiscalCliffPRESENTATION_2024-07-23.pdf">imminent annual operating shortfall</a> estimated at $239 million to $322 million, beginning in 2026. This is where Propositions L and M on this year’s ballot become essential.

The true source of financial uncertainty&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-true-source-of-financial-uncertainty-nbsp">The true source of financial uncertainty&nbsp;</h2>

core/heading

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-true-source-of-financial-uncertainty-nbsp">The true source of financial uncertainty&nbsp;</h2>

Muni’s financial woes are neither the result of mismanagement nor inefficiency (and certainly not its use of <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/muni-board-approves-new-train-control-system-19846976.php">floppy disks</a> for train control systems). In fact, SFMTA has been a careful steward of public dollars. The agency has reduced its expenditures by nearly $100 million with these transit priority investments and by consolidating agency functions, with expenses rising less than the rate of inflation.

Muni’s financial woes are neither the result of mismanagement nor inefficiency (and certainly not its use of <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/muni-board-approves-new-train-control-system-19846976.php">floppy disks</a> for train control systems). In fact, SFMTA has been a careful steward of public dollars. The agency has reduced its expenditures by nearly $100 million with these transit priority investments and by consolidating agency functions, with expenses rising less than the rate of inflation.

Search Results for: transit

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