Rescue Muni

In SFGate’ open forum, SF Supervisor Scott Wiener says that Muni simply can’t afford to shell out $8M for free rides for all youth’s when the SFMTA doesn’t even have the funding to provide essential operations and maintenance. Supervisor Wiener says that  Muni needs to focus on having a more reliable system first, and that “Every time the system melts down because a switch fails, a vehicle door won’t close, stairs won’t rise, or a derailment occurs, you can be assured that the problem results from Muni not having the funds to maintain its infrastructure properly.”

Today the SFMTA board will vote on being more open about route on time information. The quarterly reports will also include revised goals involving customer service, maintenance, and other objectives. Currently, the public can view a daily run report on the SFMTA site.

Muni’s on time rate was slightly more timely than usual, now 71.7% for 2011 Q4 compared to Q3’s 71.1%. This ratio continues to fall short of the voter mandated 85% on time rate from 1999’s Prop E. The record for best on time rate based on Prop E’s measurement was set in July 2010: 75%.

Starting July 1, Muni will legalize all door boarding on buses. Thanks to Clipper, all door boarding will be a practical solution and reduce boarding times further. A 1 mph increase in Muni’s operating speed could save the SFMTA $76m a year.

The new proposed youth pass would be $5, offered free for qualified low income youth, and free for all youth. Supervisor David Campos is proposing the measure, which would cost $8m a year with a 2 or 3 year pilot program. Maylor Lee supports the proposal as long as the funding source is stable and does not impact the SFMTA’s budget.