We have asked DPT and Muni to consider putting the transit-only lane in the
right lane of Third and to run it all the way from Townsend to Market. We
have also proposed the building of bus bulbs at the stops where there is no
right turn. Bus bulbs would improve both transit and pedestrian conditions
along Third Street because they would serve as a transit-priority device
(buses would not have to merge back into traffic after picking up
passengers), provide more room for passengers/aka pedestrians who are
waiting for the bus, and act as traffic calming devices by making the
street appear narrower to drivers. In addition, we have proposed putting
right turn lanes where appropriate in the curb lane in order to avoid
conflicts with buses in the right transit-only lane.
I believe that our alternative is basically Alternative E presented by
Robert Parks in his February RM listserve message on Fourth and Third
Street transit-only lanes. Like Robert, we are further suggesting that DPT
and Muni should look at improvements to transit service on Third and Fourth
as a package. Ultimately, we believe that DPT and Muni should be designing
a complete transit-only lane loop from Market to Townsend on Fourth and
back again on Third.
Is our proposal one that Rescue Muni can support?
Betsy Thagard
Walk San Francisco