SFMTA and ConnectSF unveil bold vision for San Francisco transit

The Transit Corridor Study StoryMap has been published by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and ConnectSF as part of the public outreach process to identify projects and policies for a more effective, equitable and resilient transportation system for the area.

Together with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) and the San Francisco Planning Department, project staff will be seeking input from residents, community and business groups, youth organizations and other stakeholders on reinvestments for the city’s transit system by way of the Transit Investment Strategy. The recently launched StoryMap serves as an interactive information tool that details improvements the community could see in the not-too-distant future: a five-minute network, new rail lines across the city and critical infrastructure improvements.

“As we work to build a new funding base for Muni, we need the public’s help thinking about the future of San Francisco transit,” said Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA director of transportation. “Muni’s current funding base is broken, as ridehail and autonomous vehicles cut our revenues. We need new tools to manage San Francisco’s limited street space to move more people and goods and prioritize those with the fewest choices.”

ConnectSF is advancing a bold vision for the future of the transportation system. In order to realize this vision, SFMTA says it will need to invest in creating a system that is better than before – faster, more reliable and more accessible. The investment strategy details the big changes SFMTA envisions and where it will need funding to achieve them. Transit is essential to keeping the city moving, and a stable, ongoing funding source will be critical for helping San Francisco manage congestion and rebuild its economy.

“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, transit will be critical for our economic recovery and to manage growing traffic congestion,” said Tilly Chang, executive director, SFCTA. “The ConnectSF transit strategy will raise system accessibility and reliability for riders across the city, addressing key safety, equity and climate needs and helping us to reach our ConnectSF vision for the future.”

Increasing service and making changes that enable new or better transit options are among ConnectSF’s top investment priorities. The Muni Forward toolkit already includes a number of proven methods for accomplishing this. Bus lanes, transit signal priority, car-free zones and transit queue jumps are just some examples. ConnectSF envisions a network of bus and rail routes running every five minutes for quick, convenient access to all parts of San Francisco.

“All San Franciscans should have equitable access to reliable public transit from their homes, jobs or schools, and the environmental benefits that come with it,” said Rich Hillis, director of San Francisco Planning. “The ConnectSF Transit Investment Strategy will ensure that proposed investments in transit will support current and future land uses and will provide a high-quality transit system for generations to come.”

Delivering a modern Muni Metro that residents can rely on also requires the funding necessary to catch up with the backlog of deferred maintenance and to enhance the light-rail system – for example, upgrading Muni Metro with a new train control system to allow for four-car trains and consistent, predictable service. In the future, in those areas of the city where no amount of bus improvements will be able to meet the demand, long-term planning will also include new major rail projects.

ConnectSF staff is eager to explore these possibilities with the public and take feedback on these ideas and proposals. More information about the project can be found on the ConnectSF website. The public is also invited to a town hall presentation to learn more on April 21, 2021.