A
RESCUE MUNI
Box 190966, SF 94119-0966 vm: 273-1558
em: transit1@rescuemuni.org
March 29, 1998
Re: Muni Service Changes, Lines 32, 42, 80X and 81X
Board of Supervisors
401 Van Ness
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Supervisors,
Rescue Muni, the San Francisco Transit Rider's Association, opposes most
of the pro-posed changes to the subject Muni service to and from the
Caltrain Terminal at Fourth and Townsend Streets for the following
reasons:
1) Inadequate public notice. This matter should have had a complete
discussion at the Public Transportation Commission and a Board of
Supervisor committee hearing.
2) The proposed changes are based on overly optimistic projections for
ridership on the new E line, which, even after three months of service,
is failing to attract a majority of riders away from the bus lines. This
is because the bus services are often faster, more direct and better
coordinated with Caltrain service. Given the low ridership on the E line
and the chronic equip-ment availability problems afflicting Muni
system-wide, the allocation of six brand-new Breda rail cars to this
service is counter-productive.
3) Rescue Muni is working to recommend low and no cost improvements to
service. In less than a year of formal existence, we have had some
success, and our membership is growing rapidly. In this matter our
position is almost directly in opposition to Muni. We recommend that
only three one car trains be assigned to the E-Embarcadero line at this
time, as ridership does not appear to warrant committing three two-car
trains to it. This is a less than ideal use for a scarce and very
expensive capital resource. The three additional cars would be better
deployed to the N line. Overcrowding seems worse on that line and most
vehicles on that line are Breda. More Breda cars on the N will make more
coupling possible to help solve another Muni problem. In-creasing service
should be reconsidered in the future if E-line ridership increases
substantially.
4) The partial cut-back in 32 service is acceptable because part of the
32 duplicates the E,
but the E must adjust their runs to make transfers easy. Most of the
service by the other lines must remain because they provide convenient
essential service to the increasing residential
and business locations south of Market.
The Board of Supervisors is urged to reject the proposed abandonments and
refer the matter back to the PTC for further public review and
consideration of alternatives.
Very truly yours,
Howard Strassner, RM Secretary, 419 Vicente SF 94116,
661-8786 (h,w,fx) Ruthow@Juno.com
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