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    CA: SFMTA TEP Red Lane Pilot Shows Results

    May 10, 2013
    Church Street transit-only lane between Duboce and 16th sees 20 percent reliability improvement & five percent reduction in travel time on the 22 Fillmore.
    Related To: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)

    The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announced that the transit effectiveness project’s (TEP) new red transit only lanes on Church Street between Duboce Avenue and 16th Street are improving Muni travel times through the area. The TEP aims to transform Muni by improving reliability and providing quicker trips for customers.

    “The TEP provides a road map for Muni’s transformation during the coming decade,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “The good work underlying the TEP provides us with an opportunity to systematically improve Muni service.”

    The 22 Fillmore has had a five percent reduction in travel time on average and has improved its travel time reliability by an average of 20 percent. The 18-month pilot will allow the Agency to evaluate transit and traffic impacts, compliance, and paint durability to inform future decisions in applying such strategies citywide.

    “As a transit first city, we need to be smart about how we improve transit to make it an attractive, reliable choice for San Franciscans. The TEP is a significant part of how we’ll get there,” said Edward D. Reiskin, SFMTA director of transportation. “Projects such as the Church Street pilot help us learn how to most effectively implement these solutions.”

    The Church Street Transit Only Lane Pilot creates a red transit lane for Muni and taxis along the most congested segment of the J Church Line and the 22 Fillmore Route, between 16th Street and Duboce Avenue. This project aims to reduce delays and improve service reliability for J Church trains and 22 Fillmore buses by allowing Muni vehicles to bypass traffic congestion and access transit stops more quickly.

    The pilot will help determine if transit-only lanes help passengers of the J Church and 22 Fillmore traverse this heavily-congested area more quickly and reliably. During the pilot, all J Line trains and all southbound 22 Fillmore buses will stop at the boarding islands in this corridor. Northbound 22 Fillmore buses will also stop at the boarding islands in this area except for at Duboce, where they will stop at the curb. Left turns will be restricted from Church Street at 15th and 16th streets on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic enforcement began with warnings. Officers have begun issuing citations to motorists and have issued at least 16 to date.

    During the planning phase of the TEP, the SFMTA examined many factors, such as cleanliness, speed and reliability. For Muni customers and other San Franciscans, reliability was the most important factor shaping their travel decisions. This was true across all demographics as well as current and potential Muni customers. As part of the Muni Rapid vision, and in conjunction with other Muni programs, the TEP will be the blueprint for making Muni a great transportation choice for our residents and visitors.