Muni plans to limit bus stops to speed up service
By: Mike Aldax
June 11, 2009
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| Frequent stops: Current guidelines say bus stops must be no more than 1,000 feet apart and no less than 800 feet, but even Muni does not follow its own rules. (Examiner file photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — You’ll have to walk farther to catch your bus, but Muni said a plan to lengthen the distance between most city stops will speed up service.
Muni buses and streetcars are often criticized for showing up late or infrequently at stops. Several riders have written to The Examiner complaining that the speed of Muni vehicles, which are slowed by traffic and signals, is hampered even further by too many stops along routes.
An internal Muni study released this week makes the case for why some of The City’s 4,000 bus stops should be moved farther apart or eliminated.
While a high saturation of stops offers riders — particularly the elderly and disabled — closer access to public transit, that proximity also slows service, said Julie Kirschbaum, a program manager with the transit agency.
To shorten the amount of time buses linger at stops, Muni planners have suggested easing existing guidelines limiting the distance between stops, particularly on flat roadways. Currently bus stops in those areas must be spaced no more than 1,000 feet apart and no less than 800 feet.
Planners are suggesting the distance between stops be increased to as much as 1,400 feet.
As it stands, the transit agency does not follow its own guidelines. According to the report, 70 percent of bus stops are closer than they need to be.
Commuters who ride Muni’s hillier routes would also have to walk farther under the plan. Existing policy allows stops on streets with grades of more than 15 percent to be as close as 300 feet. Muni is proposing stops on streets with grades greater than 10 percent be no closer than 500 feet.
Closing in the distances between stops will not only increase reliability, it will reduce operating costs, according to Muni.
The 9-San Bruno’s 59 inbound stops and 67 outbound stops would be pared down to nine inbound and 11 outbound, saving an estimated seven minutes in travel time and $200,000 in operating costs annually, the transit agency said.
Muni wants the policy approved by its governing board in August. From there, it would go neighborhood to neighborhood seeking public input, hoping to limit impacts to riders in need or to transfer points along routes.
Out on the town
4,000 Approximate number of bus and rail stops citywide
20 Percentage of time buses on 15 heaviest routes wait at stops
1,320 feet Distance most people are willing to walk to access transit
Existing spacing of Muni stops:
Every 800 to 1,000 feet in flat areas
Every 300 to 600 feet in hilly areas
Every 1,000 to 1,200 feet for light-rail vehicles
Source: SFMTA
maldax@sfexaminer.com
