Agenda
6:00 Introductions, Agenda additions and Approval, Minutes Approval,
Announcements
6:10 Status of previous resolutions
6:20 Additional Priorities and order of priorities
7:30 Adjournment, Next Metro Committee meeting Wed. Dec. 9, 6 PM
Action Minutes October 14, 1998
Present: Dan Alweiss, Joan Downey, Ed Miller, Ken Neimi, Ken Parker, and
Howard Strassner.
1) We polished the Quick Fix as follows:
Metro with ATCS seems to be generally operating in ways that permits
trains to occasionally run at nearly one minute headway in the subway.
Unfortunately most lines are frequently subjected to "crush loading"
during peak service times and often even during off peak periods.
Twenty old Boeings, which were not outfitted for subway service were
retired from service to reduce problems in the subway.
As a temporary solution, during the current crisis period, in order to
relieve the crush loading problem RM suggests that the twenty Boeings be
brought out of retirement for limited service and used in single car
shuttle service for part of some lines. This will instantly increase
the number of cars available to provide service to riders by nearly 20%.
Because Muni has been hiring more drivers and less drivers are required
because of the use of Proof-of-Payment, there should be drivers
available for the additional cars. This should be done so that every
train in the subway should be at least two cars long during peak service
hours. This will put more cars into service at reasonably close headways
to relieve crush loading. Having all two trains enter the subway will
also reduce the number and impact of entry errors.
The following sections of lines should be considered for this service:
"J-M" from Holloway to Church. "J" passengers would transfer to the
Metro at Church. "K" from Balboa to St. Francis Circle or West Portal or
"J-K" from Church. The L, M and N should run as at least two car trains.
We recommend, for now, that shuttle turnbacks be accomplished in manner
that will minimize impact on other lines.
To further to increase the number of cars available to reduce Metro crush
loading, during the crisis period, Muni should replace the lightly loaded
two car "N" trains to Caltrain with a single car extra subway car running
from Castro to Caltrain. Another method to increase the number of useful
cars, until many more cars are available, will be to eliminate Metro
service to Caltrain completely and increase the still popular bus routes
in this service. We remind Muni of their promise, when the Caltrain
train service was started, to report to the Supervisors on the actual
ridership of the buses and trains to Caltrain.
Because the total number of cars available is still so low, it is also
necessary that the morning and evening peak service periods be extended.
Because some passengers will be inconvenienced by a required transfer,
all cars shall leave the Embarcadero outbound so that all 5 lines receive
their appropriate share of cars in the correct sequence. The dispatcher
at Embarcadero needs to be the single overall manager on duty at all
operating hours with the responsibility and authority to correct the
sequence as required.
Ultimately when additional Bredas are available Metro should operate with
in service coupling to combine single cars from the ends of the lines
with short route turnback cars. This may be essential to finally
eliminate transfers and crush loading.
Too often empty cars run as "Test Cars" during peak periods. This risks
delays in service or reduce the number of cars in service. "Test Cars"
should not run during peak periods.
Whenever, for any reason, Metro runs cars or trains in turn back service
the signs on the cars must clearly show the correct destination of each
car, at least before the car gets to Van Ness. Drivers must also
repeatedly announce turn backs to on board and on station passengers.
Communication with passengers is improving but passengers are frustrated
and better communication is required
Items for Future Meetings (in no particular order)
1. Proof of Payment Implications on Metro 4. Increasing Scheduled
switchbacks - locations and frequency 8. Phones/Lights in
stations 10. Embarcadero dispatching/line delays 2. LRV
availability a) Review success of MMX and ATCS. c) Follow
up on Maps d) Line improvement surveys e) Review
and comment on Third Street LRV EIR f) Expand Proof of Payment g)
Printing/ posting of schedules h) Investigate where Muni is vis a
vis construction of further Metro lines/LRV's i) Implement a
London style platform signal of the identity of next say 3 trains and
arrival times. j) More notice at Montgomery Street giving order
of cars in next train k) Fare Gates to Accept other passes. l)
Promote Courtesy with announcements on platforms and in trains. m)
More convenient train stop locations on stations
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