This is the archival website for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). It is not kept up to date. Please visit the SFMTA website for current information. SFMTA Joins Supervisor David Chiu to Introduce Tour Bus Parking Management Plan |
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Release date: 7/12/11 *** Press Release ***The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the City, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), today joined Board of Supervisors President David Chiu to introduce at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting a draft plan designed to improve tour bus circulation and parking management in the City to ease related congestion as part of the SFMTA’s SFpark project. The plan’s policies and possible regulations include:
As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, San Francisco often has streets congested by tour buses. The existing passenger loading zones are crowded and some buses stay longer than necessary, encouraging other tour buses to double-park or use Muni stops. Also, with few places to park while their customers visit destinations, some buses end up circling City streets for hours. “Making it easier for tour buses to load, unload and park will help tour buses make an even greater contribution to San Francisco’s economy, while reducing impacts for residents,” said San Francisco Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, who helped develop the plan and is today introducing legislation to implement it. “Tourists will access their destinations quickly, and everyone will benefit from safer, less congested streets.” At Supervisor Mark Farrell's request, the SFMTA will also partner with the San Francisco Police Department to educate tour bus operators on restricted streets to prevent congestion in our neighborhoods. "I am pleased the SFMTA is focusing on a program to better manage the tour bus industry in our City. We also need to inform tour bus companies that they are prohibited from driving on certain streets and work with the SFPD to enforce those restrictions," said Supervisor Farrell. “This plan is another example of the SFMTA working with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to address the transportation issues that affect our quality of life,” said Debra A. Johnson, SFMTA Acting Executive Director/CEO. The SFMTA developed the plan in partnership with tour bus operators, the Port of San Francisco, the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, Supervisor David Chiu’s office and other stakeholders. The plan’s strategies would first be implemented in Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 and Union Square. |
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