Muni steps up service for 2017 Giants season

Take me out to the ball game — on the N-Judah.

The San Francisco Giants’ home opener is next Monday at AT&T Park, which means the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will ramp up Muni service to the ballpark during home games as they have done for years now.

Transit officials said they will deploy Metro Ballpark Shuttles in addition to running the N-Judah and T-Third subway lines. The additional service will start running two hours before the game begins until 20 minutes after the game begins.

E-Embarcadero historic streetcars will also provide service to the ballpark until 6 p.m.

Muni bus options to get to AT&T Park include the 10-Townsend, 30-Stockton, 45-Union/Stockton and the 47-Van Ness.

The SFMTA suggests passengers preload their Clipper cards with fares or purchase a fare off the Muni Mobile app.

Muni passengers can buy round trip Muni transfers at the Embarcadero Station at the east side of the station two-and-a-half hours before the game starts. One-way transfers will be available for purchase at the ticket booths near Willie Mays Plaza two hours before the game until the start of game.

Sales of one-way transfers will continue at the beginning of the 7th inning, according to the SFMTA.

Officials will deploy parking control officers to direct pedestrians, traffic and movement of Muni light rail vehicles.

The SFMTA suggests bicyclists heading to the game to use the dedicated bike lane along The Embarcadero or on Townsend Street. Valet bicycle parking is available on the south side of the ballpark along the Portwalk, operated by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

Bay Area Bike Share is also another option to get to AT&T Park. A bike station is available near the Caltrain Depot and on Townsend and Second Streets, the SFMTA said.

The SFMTA also has three taxi zones available for those attending a game. One is located on the east and west side of Second between King and Townsend streets. Another taxi zone is on the west side of Second between Townsend and Brannan streets and a third location is on the west side of Third between King and Townsend streets.

Motorists can expect congestion in the area on home game days so it’s advisable to check the Giants schedule.

Parking meters near AT&T park operate until 10 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Meter rates prices are $3, $5 or $7 per hour during games. Meter parking rates are higher if parked closer to the ballpark.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.