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Proposed Service Reductions & Modifications

Note: This page and any Portable Document Format (PDF) or similar files linked from this page are part of an archive and might not contain current information.

The proposals on this page reflect the actions of the SFMTA Board on April 30, 2009.

Overview of proposed service reductions

On April 7 and April 21, the SFMTA Board of Directors held two public hearings regarding options to close the Agency's fiscal year 2009-2010 operating deficit, projected to be $128.9 million. The options included service reductions, expenditure reductions, as well as increases to fares, fees, fines, rates and charges. A revised Amended Proposed Operating Budget for 2009-2010 was presented to the Board on April 30. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors adopted the proposals, revising the end of Community Service routes to 11 p.m..

The revised Amended Proposed Operating Budget for 2009-2010 included a proposed set of transit service reductions which represented an annual operating savings of $13.4 million and fell into the following categories.

Discontinue routes with low ridership and/or nearby alternative service;
Eliminate segments of routes with low ridership and/or nearby alternative service;
Adjust frequencies of routes to minimize the impacts of other proposed changes and to conserve resources;
Modify the structure of routes to minimize the impacts of other proposed changes; and
Change non-Owl service by ending most cross-town and radial routes between midnight and 1 a.m. and most community routes at 11 p.m.

The operating savings associated with this revised service reduction proposal account for growth in paratransit demand associated with the service reductions. The proposed service reductions also take into consideration the planned move to the temporary Transbay Terminal, which was previously approved by the SFMTA Board of Directors in March 2008, and would likely coincide with the timing of any proposed service reductions that are approved. The proposed service reductions have been designed to affect the least number of customers possible.

The service reductions developed in response to the SFMTA’s unprecedented budget deficit do not represent the implementation of the Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP). However, the proposed reductions and other modifications have been informed by the data collected and the extensive public input received during the TEP planning phase. This extensive technical data and analysis helped us make informed and precise decisions about these service changes and how to provide the best possible service within limited resources.

The SFMTA will continue to implement cost-effective reliability improvements including adjusting running times to compensate for congestion and addressing crowding caused by shifting travel patterns. We will strive to provide the best possible quality of service to our customers.

Click here for details on public meetings held on this topic.

Summary of proposed service reductions

Action	Routes affected
Discontinue Route	4-Sutter 7-Haight 16AX-Noriega “A” Express 20-Columbus 26-Valencia 53-Southern Heights 74X-CultureBus 89-Laguna Honda
Eliminate Route Segment	N-Judah on The Embarcadero and King Street (weekends only) 1-California south of Sacramento (weekdays only) 2-Clement west of 14th Avenue 10-Townsend north of Broadway and to Transbay Terminal 12-Folsom/Pacific along The Embarcadero 18-46th Avenue along Geary and Point Lobos 21-Hayes west of Stanyan 29-Sunset in the Presidio north of Baker Beach 36-Teresita from Monterey/Foerster to Balboa Park BART 38-Geary Ocean Beach branch 41-Union between Lyon and Steiner 67-Bernal Heights on portions of Crescent and Mission 88-BART Shuttle west of I-280 108-Treasure Island between Transbay Terminal and Caltrain
Modify Route Structure	5-Fulton (only every other vehicle extends past 6th during peak periods) 10-Townsend (reroute to follow 12-Folsom/Pacific route to Jackson/Fillmore) 12-Folsom/Pacific (reroute along 2nd and Sansome streets and extend to 24th Street BART) 16BX-Noriega “B” Express (extend to Great Highway) 18-46th Avenue (reroute to follow 38-Geary Ocean Beach branch route) 36-Teresita (reroute to Glen Park BART and Cesar Chavez/Valencia) 108-Treasure Island (reroute from Avenue M to Avenue H on Treasure Island)
Improve Frequency of Service	5-Fulton east of 6th Avenue during peak periods 6-Parnassus/71L-Haight/Noriega Limited during peak periods 16BX-Noriega “B” Express during AM peak 19-Polk during midday in Potrero Hill and Hunters Point
Decrease Frequency of Service	5-Fulton west of 6th Avenue during peak periods 19-Polk during peak periods and off-peak on Polk 31-Balboa during peak periods 36-Teresita during peak periods
End Early	End community routes at 11 p.m. (17-Parkmerced, 35-Eureka, 36-Teresita, 37-Corbett, 52-Excelsior, 66-Quintara and 67-Bernal Heights – note that each route would have trips departing in each direction at or after 11 p.m.) End non-Owl routes between midnight and 1 a.m. depending on demand (1-California, 3-Jackson, 6-Parnassus, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 18-46th Avenue, 19-Polk, 21-Hayes, 23-Monterey, 27-Bryant, 29-Sunset, 31-Balboa, 33-Stanyan, 43-Masonic, 44-O’Shaughnessy, 45-Union/Stockton, 48-Quintara/24th Street, 54-Felton and 71-Haight/Noriega – note that service after midnight on routes 28-19th Avenue, 30-Stockton, 47-Van Ness and 49-Van Ness/Mission would be replaced by 14-Mission, 90-Owl and 91-Owl)

Details of proposed service reductions

Details on the route specific changes are provided in the table below, which is also shown below along with maps that show the route specific details.

Detailed Table of Proposed Service Reductions

Click the link for a line or route name to view the proposed map for that route

Route	Current Service	Recommended Change	Alternative Service
N-Judah	Operates every day between Ocean Beach and Downtown via the Market Street Subway and along The Embarcadero and King Street to the 4th/King streets Caltrain Station.	Discontinue service between Embarcadero Station and Caltrain along The Embarcadero and King Street on weekends.	T-Third Line provides identical service along The Embarcadero and King Street every day.
1-California	Operates between the Richmond and Embarcadero Center every day until 1 a.m., with every other bus extending to Howard/Main streets weekdays until 7 p.m.	Eliminate segment south of Sacramento Street on Davis, Beale, Howard, Main and Drumm streets.	30X-Marina Express and 41-Union provide service along the portion of the 1-California being eliminated. Beginning in fall 2009, 5-Fulton, 38-Geary and 38L-Geary Limited will also provide service on Main and Beale streets when the temporary Transbay Terminal opens.
2-Clement and 4-Sutter	2-Clement, 3-Jackson and 4-Sutter all work together to provide service along the Sutter Street corridor. 2-Clement operates between 33rd Avenue and the Ferry Plaza on weekdays and between 33rd Avenue and Sansome/Sutter streets on weekends. 4-Sutter operates weekday, peak-only service between 6th Avenue and Sansome/Sutter streets.	Discontinue 4-Sutter. Eliminate segment of 2-Clement west of 14th Avenue. 2-Clement and 3-Jackson would provide a combined 5-minute peak period frequency on Sutter Street east of Fillmore Street.	1-California and 2-Clement provide service between Presidio and 6th avenues. 1-California, 38-Geary and 38L-Geary Limited provide parallel service between 14th and 33rd avenues. 3-Jackson provides service on Sutter Street east of Fillmore Street.
5-Fulton and 21-Hayes	21-Hayes operates on Fulton between 6th Avenue and Stanyan Street and then travels to Downtown via Hayes and Market streets. 5-Fulton operates between Ocean Beach and Downtown every day.	Eliminate segment of 21-Hayes on Fulton Street between 6th Avenue and Stanyan Street. Modify 5-Fulton during peak periods to address current crowding and additional customers that may shift from the outer segment of 21-Hayes.	5-Fulton provides service on Fulton Street between 6th Avenue and Downtown.
7-Haight; 6-Parnassus; and 71L-Haight/Noriega Limited	Operates between Haight Street at Golden Gate Park and the Financial District during weekday peak periods in both directions with a 15-minute frequency.	Discontinue 7-Haight. Increase frequencies of 6-Parnassus and 71L-Haight/Noriega Limited from 10 to 9 minutes during peak periods.	6-Parnassus and 71L-Haight/Noriega Limited provide service between Golden Gate Park and the Financial District.
10-Townsend and 12-Folsom/Pacific	10-Townsend operates every day between Van Ness Avenue/North Point Street and Potrero Hill, serving the northern waterfront, Financial District, 4th/King streets Caltrain Station and Potrero Hill. 12-Folsom/Pacific operates every day between Pacific Heights, Chinatown, The Embarcadero, SoMa and the Mission.	Restructure 10-Townsend and 12-Folsom/Pacific so both serve Pacific Avenue, Sansome and 2nd streets. Eliminate segments of 10-Townsend that serve the Transbay Terminal and north of Broadway. Eliminate segment of 12-Folsom/Pacific along The Embarcadero. 10-Townsend would operate from Jackson/Fillmore streets along current route of 12-Folsom/Pacific to Broadway/Sansome Street, south on Sansome and 2nd streets through Downtown and then follow existing 10-Townsend route to Potrero Hill. 12-Folsom/Pacific would operate from Pacific/Van Ness avenues to Broadway/Sansome Street, south on Sansome and 2nd streets through Downtown to Folsom Street and then follow the existing 12-Folsom/Pacific route to the Mission District. From Cesar Chavez Street the 12-Folsom/ Pacific would extend north along Valencia Street to provide a terminal loop that would replace the discontinued 26-Valencia service to Saint Lukes Hospital and to serve the 24th Street BART Station. Operate each route with 20 minute frequencies all-day until 7 p.m., when the 10-Townsend would end service. Provides combined 10-minute daytime frequency on Pacific Avenue, Sansome and 2nd streets.	F-Market & Wharves Line provides service along The Embarcadero. 47-Van Ness provides service along North Point Street.
16AX and 16BX-Noriega Expresses	16AX and 16BX both operate between the Sunset and Downtown (Market/5th streets) during weekday peak periods in the peak direction with 10-minute a.m. frequencies and 15-min p.m. frequencies. 16AX runs from Great Highway via Noriega Street and Sunset Boulevard to Lincoln Way. 16BX runs from Sunset Blvd via Noriega Street and 22nd/23rd avenues to Lincoln Way.	Discontinue 16AX. Extend 16BX to Great Highway and increase frequency of 16BX during a.m. peak period from 9 to 7 minutes. Operate route as “16X.”	29-Sunset provides service along Sunset Boulevard and Lincoln Way and N-Judah Line provides parallel service to Lincoln Way along Judah Street.
19-Polk	Operates between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Navy Yard with every other trip turning short at Townsend/8th streets during the midday. Peak period frequency is 10 minutes. Midday frequency is 12 minutes north of Townsend Street and 24 minutes south of Townsend Street.	Reduce peak period frequency from 10 to 12 minutes and change midday frequency to 15 minutes along entire route.	Frequency change only.
20-Columbus	Operates between Van Ness Avenue/North Point Street and the Financial District via North Beach weekdays southbound from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and northbound from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.	Discontinue 20-Columbus.	41-Union provides peak-hour service between North Beach and the Financial District. 30-Stockton provides all-day service between Van Ness Avenue and Chinatown where passengers can transfer to 1-California.
26-Valencia and 36-Teresita	26-Valencia operates between the Balboa Park Station and 5th/Mission streets every day. 36-Teresita operates between the Forest Hill Station and Balboa Park Station every day with a 20 to 30-minute frequency.	Discontinue 26-Valencia, except for segment between Cesar Chavez/Valencia streets and the Glen Park BART Station, which would be served by the rerouted 36-Teresita. End 36-Teresita service at 11 p.m. and reduce peak period frequency of 36-Teresita from 20 to 30 minutes. Reroute 36-Teresita to Cesar Chavez/Valencia streets and the Glen Park BART Station via Chenery Street to serve segment covered by discontinued 26-Valencia.	J-Church Line provides service between the Balboa Park Station and Downtown. 14-Mission and 14L-Mission Limited provide parallel service between Cesar Chavez/Mission streets and Downtown. 43-Masonic provides service between Forest Hill Station and Balboa Park Station.
29-Sunset	Operates between Baker Beach and Candlestick Park every day until midnight with every other bus extending to the Presidio Transit Center north of Baker Beach until 7 p.m.	Eliminate segment in the Presidio north of Baker Beach.	Presidio Trust’s PresidiGo shuttles provide local service within the Presidio.
31-Balboa	Operates between Ocean Beach and Downtown with 10-minute frequency during peak periods and 15-minute frequency midday.	Reduce peak period frequency from 10 to 12 minutes.	Frequency change only.
38-Geary and 18-46th Avenue	38-Geary operates between the Richmond District and Downtown with three different terminals in the Richmond District. The Ocean Beach branch of the 38-Geary operates 24 hours every day. 18-46th Avenue operates between the Legion of Honor and Stonestown every day.	Eliminate Ocean Beach branch of 38-Geary. Alternating 38-Geary buses would run between Fort Miley and Downtown and between 33rd Avenue and Downtown. Eliminate segment of 18-46th Avenue from Point Lobos Avenue and Geary Boulevard and reroute 18-46th Avenue along the discontinued Ocean Beach routing of 38-Geary. During owl period, operate 38-Geary to Point Lobos Avenue.	18-46th Avenue replaces service along the Ocean Beach routing of 38-Geary. 31-Balboa provides service between Ocean Beach and Downtown. 38-Geary and 38L-Geary Limited provide service on Point Lobos Avenue and Geary Boulevard west of 33rd Avenue.
41-Union (peak only)	Operates between Lyon Street and the Financial District during weekday a.m. and p.m. peak periods in both directions.	Eliminate segment on Union Street between Lyon and Steiner streets and change from 40-foot to 60-foot articulated buses to address crowding.	45-Union/Stockton provides service along Union Street between Lyon and Steiner streets.
53-Southern Heights	Operates between the 16th Street BART Station and Potrero Hill every day until 7 p.m.	Discontinue 53-Southern Heights.	22-Fillmore and 33-Stanyan provide service along 16th Street; 19-Polk, 22-Fillmore and 48-Quintara/24th Street provide service in Potrero Hill.
67-Bernal Heights	Operates as a bi-directional loop between the 24th Street BART Station and the Alemany Farmers Market every day.	Eliminate western portion of circular loop, including service on portions of Crescent Avenue and Mission Street.	14-Mission, 14L-Mission Limited and 49-Van Ness/Mission provide service along Mission Street and the 23-Monterey provides service along Crescent Avenue.
74X-CultureBus	Began September 2008. Operates between Downtown, Civic Center and Golden Gate Park museums every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.	Discontinue 74X-CultureBus.	N-Judah Line, 5-Fulton and 71-Haight-Noriega all provide service between Downtown, Civic Center and Golden Gate Park close to museums.
88-BART Shuttle (peak only)	Operates between Lake Merced and Balboa Park Station during weekday peak periods in the peak direction.	Eliminate segment west of I-280.	M-Ocean View Line and 29-Sunset provide service between Balboa Park Station and SFSU/Stonestown where customers can transfer to 18-46th Avenue or 17-Parkmerced.
89-Laguna Honda	Operates between Forest Hill Station and the Laguna Honda Hospital.	Discontinue as Muni route. Work with Laguna Honda Hospital to transfer responsibility for providing service.	Laguna Honda Hospital to take over responsibility for providing service.
108-Treasure Island	Operates between Treasure Island and the Transbay Terminal 24 hours every day, and between the Transbay Terminal and 4th/King streets Caltrain Station from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. every day.	Eliminate segment between Transbay Terminal and Caltrain; adjust route on Treasure Island from Avenue M to Ave H.	N-Judah and T-Third lines provide service near the temporary Transbay Terminal, scheduled to open in fall 2009, between Embarcadero Station and Caltrain.
Span of Service	Most routes currently end by 1 a.m., although service on some routes ends earlier.	End non-Owl routes between midnight and 1 a.m. depending on demand (1-California, 3-Jackson, 6-Parnassus, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 18-46th Avenue, 19-Polk, 21-Hayes, 23-Monterey, 27-Bryant, 29-Sunset, 31-Balboa, 33-Stanyan, 43-Masonic, 44-O’Shaughnessy, 45-Union/Stockton, 48-Quintara/24th Street, 54-Felton and 71-Haight/Noriega). Service after midnight on routes 28-19th Avenue, 30-Stockton, 47-Van Ness and 49-Van Ness/Mission would be replaced by 14-Mission, 90-Owl and 91-Owl.	Routes with Owl service provide 24-hour service.
Community Evening Service (17-Parkmerced, 35-Eureka, 36-Teresita, 37-Corbett, 52-Excelsior, 66-Quintara and 67-Bernal Heights)	Current service ends between 11:40 p.m. and 1 a.m., depending on route.	End all community evening service routes at 11 p.m.	None.