Midyear check-in: SFMTA milestones in 2022

July 12, 2022
As the agency heads in to the second half of the year, it says it will continue to think creatively and expedite processes and practices that have traditionally required long lead times.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has been advancing a slate of projects since the start of the year, including increasing Muni service in February and April, completing the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit corridor and moving forward with the quick-build program to create safer street designs, among other accomplishments. 

As the agency heads in to the second half of the year, it says it will continue to think creatively and expedite processes and practices that have traditionally required long lead times. Here is an update on some of its projects with significant milestones happening before year’s end.

Muni service

  • July 9, 2022: Muni service changes, including the restoration of the 2 Sutter (modified), 6 Haight-Parnassus, 21 Hayes (modified); to address changing travel patterns, modifying 23 Monterey, 28 19th Avenue, 43 Masonic, 49 Van Ness-Mission, 57 Parkmerced, 58 Lake Merced, L Bus.
  • Fall 2022: Launch of Central Subway, realignment of rail service; service restoration and increased frequency to address changing travel patterns, as resources allow.

Muni Forward projects

  • 29 Sunset Improvement Project outreach to begin.
  • J Church Improvement Project outreach to begin this summer to collect feedback on how to improve J Church. This fall, SFMTA will follow up with community on what it heard and what it proposes to improve service and reliability on the J Church; late 2022 SFMTA will propose community-informed plan to the board for approval.
  • K Ingleside planning with San Francisco County Transportation Authority underway.
  • M Ocean View Transit and Safety Project outreach underway.

Muni Metro modernization

  • Subway Renewal Program targeting strategic repair, replacement and enhancements continues with Fix It! Weeks scheduled for August and fall 2022.
  • Train Control Upgrade project goes to SFMTA Board for issuing request for proposal (RFP) in fall 2022.
  • Muni Metro Core Capacity Planning Study underway.

New buses

  • 30 El Dorado 32-foot hybrid buses to be replaced by end of the year.
  • Nine of 12 electric buses delivered by end of year.
  • 30 Phase II LRV4 vehicles with accessibility improvements to be delivered by end of year.

Customer experience improvements

  • Currently installing and testing new Customer Information System displays systemwide, focusing on neighborhoods identified by the Muni Service Equity Strategy.
  • Upgraded system replacing the text-based system currently in use with one that uses a sophisticated, accurate vehicle arrival algorithm. Displays are larger and can display graphics. SFMTA is also implementing solar-powered signage.
  • Soft Launch with several features will occur in September to support the opening of Central Subway, with more features released in December, and a public announcement in early 2023. Installation of new signage at transit shelters will be completed in January 2023.
  • Safety Equity Initiative to reduce and eventually eliminate gender-based harassment and violence on Muni underway.
  • System maps will be replaced systemwide for July 9 service changes along with station signage being replaced throughout the year.

Vision Zero quick-build projects

  • Lake Merced Quick-Build: Outreach is completed, and project team is aiming for board consideration to legislate in September, with implementation to follow.
  • Bayshore Boulevard: Building on successful quick-builds already implemented from the Bayview Community-Based Transportation Plan, this project will continue to address safety needs in the area and has gone through a substantial portion of the outreach phase.
  • Battery/Sansome: Aiming for MTA Board consideration and legislation this summer.
  • Franklin Street: In response to a recent fatality in the project area, outreach is underway as of May for the quick-build concept.
  • Hyde Street: This project builds on already substantial work in the Tenderloin including the recent project on Jones. Goal is to implement in 2023.
  • Valencia Street: For this pilot project, the goal is to begin outreach in early July, implement and eventually study as an 18-month pilot.

Capital projects

  • Construction continues on 16th Street Improvement Project, L Taraval Improvement Project and 28 19th Avenue Rapid Project.
  • Colorizing Mission Street transit lanes between 5th and 11th Streets.
  • Temporary HOV lanes pilot going to MTA Board July 19 for study to be extended.
  • Muni Transit Delay Hot Spots Quick-Build Program aimed at reducing delay on Muni’s 10 slowest segments with spot improvements, including 37 Corbett at Church and Market. Stop removal; 44 O’Shaughnessy at Woodside and Portola. Planning underway; 44 O’Shaughnessy at Silver and San Bruno. Outreach underway; 19 Polk at Larkin and O’Farrell. Planning underway.