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 Offers Tips for Safe, Convenient Holiday Shopping |
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Release date: November 16, 2012 *** Press Release ***San Francisco—The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which manages all surface transportation in the City, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), offers transportation tips and tools for the holiday shopping season which begins on Black Friday, Nov. 23. “We know that so many people will come to Union Square to take part in the holiday shopping experience. Our job is to make sure you can get there and back safely and quickly,” said Tom Nolan, Chairman of the SFMTA Board of Directors. “Whether you take transit, walk, hail a taxi or ride a bike, there are numerous transportation options available to everyone coming to Union Square this holiday season,” said Edward D. Reiskin, Director of Transportation. “However, if you must drive, avoid circling the block looking for an open space. Go directly to an SFpark garage, where parking spaces are usually available and hourly rates are often lower than at meters.” Seasonal Parking and Traffic Measures Traffic Facilitation The SFMTA will restrict on-street parking on several downtown streets between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day for the increased traffic and transit capacity during the busy holiday shopping season. “Tow Away, No Stopping” signs will be installed on the following streets beginning Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Jan. 1:
Traffic Control Traffic Control Officers will be deployed to the Union Square and Moscone Center areas, as needed, to facilitate traffic flow and ensure pedestrian safety and access. Construction Moratorium In order to facilitate traffic and transit flow, no traffic lane or sidewalk closures will be allowed on business area streets between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, other than emergency work. Central Subway construction in the Union Square area will temporarily be suspended. Stockton Street between Geary and Market streets will be re-opened. Transit Tips The two best ways to get to Union Square and downtown San Francisco during the holidays, especially on the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, Nov. 23), are Muni Metro or BART. The Powell Street stop for Muni Metro and BART takes you to the foot of Union Square, directly beneath the Westfield San Francisco Center, and one block from the Metreon at 4th Street and Mission Street. The following Muni rail lines and bus routes will take you to Union Square:
Additional Muni options for Market Street can be found on the Market Street map. A trip planner is available at www.sfmta.com or at 511.org. The historic Cable Car and F Market & Wharves lines make holiday shopping an excursion that is fun for the whole family. Ferries that operate on the day after Thanksgiving: Larkspur, Sausalito, Vallejo and Oakland-Alameda. Details can be found at 511.org or by calling 511. Tree Lighting Ceremony With the Macy’s tree lighting ceremony set to take place on Black Friday at 6 p.m., there will be various street closures in the Union Square area. Crowds of people viewing the ceremony are expected in the vicinity. Transit Safety Reminders Muni customers and shoppers should be careful of pick-pockets, especially during the holiday season. Carry wallets in front pockets, close handbags and carry them in front of you in crowds. If you believe you have experienced a theft on a Muni vehicle please alert the Operator, if possible, and call SFPD non-emergency at 553-0123. Please note the bus or train number as well as the date and time. Call 911 for emergencies or crimes in progress. Due to heightened security measures, do not leave bags or parcels unattended at any time. Transit Fares Muni Reduced Muni fares: Children age 5-17, seniors, and the disabled ride Muni for a fraction of the regular adult fare. The Adult fare is $2 with a 90-minute transfer. The reduced fare is $.75 with a 90-minute transfer. These fares are good on all Muni vehicles, except Cable Cars. For further information, please visit Muni’s Fare Details website. The Muni Metro cash-less fare gates will accept Clipper cards and the 90-day limited use Muni tickets. These are also accepted on all Muni vehicles, including the Cable Cars. At the ticket vending machines (TVM) in the Muni Metro stations, cash customers can purchase their fares. They may either buy their fare on a Clipper card or on a paper 90-day limited use Muni ticket. Customers who already have a card or ticket can use the TVMs to check their balance or add value. For further information, please visit Muni Clipper website. Cable Cars are a flat rate of $6 per trip. Those wishing to make more than two trips should purchase a Muni 1-day Passport for $14. Muni also sells 3-day Passports and 7-day Passports. For further information, please visit Muni Visitor Passports and San Francisco CityPASS website. BART Children age 5-12 and seniors 65 or older can ride BART for one-quarter the normal fare with discount tickets. BART discount tickets are only sold online or through the mail. They can also be purchased on Clipper cards at www.clippercard.com. Bikes and Taxis Best bicycle parking near Union Square and downtown: Union Square, Ellis-O’Farrell and 5th/Mission garages all offer free bicycle parking on a first come, first served basis. Taxi stands are situated throughout downtown San Francisco, usually near hotels. For a full list, please visit SFMTA’s Taxi Stands website. To ensure you choose a legitimate San Francisco taxi, please visit SFMTA’s Always Hire a Real San Francisco Taxi website. Parking Tips Ample parking spaces are available at most BART stations in the bay area on the day after Thanksgiving. SFpark makes finding a spot in downtown San Francisco easier than ever. Garages near downtown and Union Square include: Union Square (985 spaces), Ellis-O’Farrell (950 spaces); 5th/Mission (2,585 spaces); Moscone Center (732 spaces) and Sutter Stockton (1,865 spaces). The SFMTA encourages holiday shoppers to go straight to SFpark garages rather than circle for parking on streets filled with traffic and pedestrians. Benefits of the SFpark garages include:
Other parking garages near Union Square that do not fill up on Saturdays or the day after Thanksgiving: Hearst Garage on 3rd Street between Mission and Market streets and the Jessie Square Garage on Stevenson Street west of 3rd Street. Read all parking signs carefully before parking. Many downtown parking spaces are designated for commercial vehicle parking, and many spaces become tow-away zones after 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. If a parking garage is full, garage attendants will provide maps to nearby garages that have space available. Do not wait outside full garages. Customers can find locations, rates and parking space availability for SFpark garages on SFpark.org, iPhone and Android apps or by texting “SFpark” to 877877. |
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