San Francisco Muni

The San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni as it is commonly known, is the public transit system for the city and county of San Francisco, California. In 2000, it served 46.7 square miles (121 km²) with an operating budget of $380.9 million. In terms of ridership, Muni is the 7th largest transit agency in the United States. In 2002, ridership amongst all forms of transit totaled 233,015,740 persons, with markedly decreased ridership on weekends. Muni operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Muni is an integral part of public transit throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, connecting with regional services such as BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and AC Transit. Many weekday riders are commuters, as the daytime weekday population in San Francisco exceeds its normal residential population. Muni shares some stations with BART, which can lead to confusion amongst visitors. Travelers can connect to San Francisco International Airport and nearby Oakland International Airport via BART.

Muni operates about 1,000 vehicles: diesel and electric buses, light rail vehicles known as Muni Metro streetcars that run both under and above ground, PCC streetcars running on a heritage line, and the cable cars often featured as a tourist attraction. Most buses are diesel powered, but a few are electric trolleybuses powered by overhead electrical wires. In addition, Muni runs a limited number of zero emissions buses on some routes.

During the late 1990s, amid aging equipment and allegedly poor management, Muni developed a reputation for declining service. San Francisco residents responded in 1996 by organizing Rescue Muni, a transit riders association. Infrastructure has since improved. Muni's previous Boeing streetcars were criticized as being unreliable, and are now replaced by newer Italian Breda Swarovski streetcars.

Architects and civil engineers may work together if larger, unusual garden buildings should be constructed (ex. a winter garden pavilion). Curio cabinets, collectors cabinets, display cabinets, and display showcases for the keeping of small samples or gifts are not that complex in the construction.

Fares are currently $1.25 for adults and $0.35 for seniors over 65, youth aged 5-17, and disabled persons. Fares were increased in 2003 in the face of municipal and state budget cuts. Proof of purchase is handled through a transfer slip, either a piece of paper (buses and streetcar) or print on thicker, card-board-like paper (subway stations and a few outdoor stops such as San Francisco State University), all of which are randomly checked by fare inspectors. Frequent riders can get a Fast Pass for every month.

External links

Swarovski

SF Muni Web site

511.org SF Bay Area transit information

pictures of Muni at nycsubway.org

Rescue Muni