Tag Archives: SFMTA

Save the Date: Community Transit Forum on Thursday, October 15

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Did you know that we have an initiative on the November ballot to raise $1 billion annually to fund Bay Area transit via sales tax increases across five Bay Area counties? 

The funds are dedicated to averting massive service cuts and funding capital improvements for BART, SF Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit, and the San Francisco Bay Ferry.  Locally in San Francisco, this regional effort is complemented by a proposed SFMTA Muni parcel tax. The city’s measure seeks to raise $160 million annually specifically to protect Muni bus and cable car operations from fiscal cliff cuts.

Without new sources of revenue, the lost revenue from the pandemic and lower ridership in the past five years will cause severe service cuts for the agencies listed above.  For SF Muni that translates to:

  • 50% cut in Muni services 
  • Elimination of fare discounts and pass programs for youth and seniors
  • $322-$398 million budget deficit (25% of Muni’s operating budget)

Supervisor Mandelman and transit officials provide more details and have extended Q&A with attendees.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 15th, from 6-7:30pm, in Ellard Hall at Most Holy Redeemer (100 Diamond St in the Castro).

APEC is coming to SF in November: What You Need to Know to Get Around

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San Francisco is proud to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Approximately 30,000 people from over 20 countries are expected to attend this historic event, but traffic and public transit will be impacted throughout the City, including Dolores Heights.

While most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods, APEC will impact travel throughout San Francisco, including Dolores Heights. The bulk of the travel and transit impacts will take place from November 14-19.

Due to high security, areas around events and activities will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians, except for event attendees or people who live or work within the security boundaries.

Streets and freeway ramps around SoMa and Nob Hill will be closed November 14 -19. These closures will result in significant traffic impacts.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is working hard to make sure that you can get where you need to go during APEC. But please expect congestion downtown, traffic delays, transit reroutes, delays and crowding on Muni during APEC and any additional conference-related events or activities.

Additional events may arise with little notice and may impact Muni routes, traffic and pedestrian access.

Predictions and third-party navigation apps may not display information properly during this period.

*We advise anyone traveling through San Francisco to allow ample time for travel and be prepared for possible delays.*

Visit the SFMTA website for up to date information.

SFMTA Info on APEC Traffic

What’s Up with the Flying Car?

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Thanks to all neighbors who responded to the carjacked Lincoln that crashed through the barrier and landed upside down on 19th Street on Saturday, July 22 (see minute 1:25 on linked YouTube video.)  Many shared video and photos of the incident with SFPD.  That evidence helped SFPD to arrest the two ringleaders in this carjacking/reckless driving incident on July 26  

Unfortunately, the two individuals arrested are not being charged owing to lack of sufficient evidence to bring a strong case.  Specifically, the owner of the carjacked vehicle is unwilling to serve as a witness.  Sergeant Wren of Mission Station is investigating the crime.  It is still an open case.  As of September 2 he’s awaiting lab results on a piece of evidence that’s key to any further action.

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  

Good news:  earlier in August, DPW workers replaced the broken metal railings on the top and bottom of the staircase.  

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez (at 21st Street) when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.  

(Surveillance camera footage of the crash. Start watching at 1:25.)

Car “Flies” Over Sanchez Stairs and Lands on 19th Street

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On Saturday, July 22 around 7:15pm, five people carjacked a Lincoln sedan at Dolores Park.  They clearly didn’t know our area as the driver decided to go west on 20th Street up to Sanchez then north on Sanchez.  Driving at a high rate of speed the car crashed through the barriers at the top of the stairs and flew down to 19th Street – flipping mid-air and landing on its rooftop.  Miraculously, no one in the car was badly hurt and the sidewalk was clear.  Three walkers had just descended the stairs less than a minute before the crash.  .   

Neighbors supplied video and photos of the full event which likely aided the Police in their search for those involved.  On Tuesday, July 25, SFPD announced that it arrested two of the five suspects.  

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  This is the second crash in 2023.  In February an out-of-control car crashed into the hillside railings on upper Sanchez north of 21st Street. 

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join and participate in your block safety group
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.