Muni restores limited service for essential trips only

San Francisco transit officials will begin the slow process of reestablishing some Muni routes after the transit agency made the decision on April 8 to cut service by nearly two-thirds due to operator shortage during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin said Monday at a press conference that the 5-Fulton, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 28-19th Avenue and 54-Felton lines will return on April 28 with modified routes.

In addition, the 38R-Geary will return to service on weekends only and the 714 BART Early Bird Shuttle will run two early morning trips to help essential workers.

Since April 8, only 17 out of more than 70 Muni routes have been operating.

Tumlin said the SFMTA considered how to restore service in the same way they considered what services to cut.

He said:

“We’ve used our abundant data looking at where our riders are. We’ve also used data on where our essential services are.”

He added:

“Most importantly, we’ve looked very carefully at where our riders are who have the fewest choices and neighborhoods that suffered the most from historic disinvestment.”

The transit agency said they also listened to feedback from riders and organizations from areas where service is needed the most, Tumlin said.

The 5 line will serve St. Mary’s Hospital and essential services in the Western Addition and Tenderloin. The 12 will serve the Chinese Hospital and Chinatown’s seniors who have limited access to other transportation options.

Muni’s 54-Felton will provide essential service for riders in the Hunter’s Point, Portola, Excelsior and Crocker Amazon neighborhoods, and will connect passengers to Balboa Park BART station.

The transit agency will also increase frequency on the L-Taraval, N-Judah and 9-San Bruno buses. The expanded service will allow more space for riders to practice social distancing.

Tumlin added:

“This, however, is a reminder that even though we’re starting to bring service back, please do not ride Muni unless you are an essential worker, unless you’re making an essential trip and unless you don’t have another choice.”

Details about specific schedules and route changes can be found at the SFMTA’s website.

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.