Sponsored link
Friday, November 22, 2024

Sponsored link

UncategorizedSF signs on with private luxury transit system

SF signs on with private luxury transit system

MTA board members listen to testimony on the tech buses

By Tim Redmond

At the beginning of the Municipal Transportation Agency meeting on the “Google bus” plan, Ed Reiskin, the MTA director, issued a warning that would define how he and his board see the issue.

“We recognize there’s a lot of concern around housing and the cost of living, and these buses have fallen into these discussions,” he said. “But what we’re proposing is very narrowly tailored to address the transportation issues.”

And just like that, the MTA attempted to sever the impacts on San Franciscans of what can only be called a privatized transit system from anything but the question of when and how (not if) the private luxury buses can use Muni stops, and how much they should pay for the privilege.

It’s no surprise that, after more than an hour of often impassioned testimony, the panel approved the pilot project with very little debate.

The deal, as outlined by MTA planner Carli Paine, calls for the city to allow the buses to use select Muni stops – at locations still to be determined – for a fee of $1 a stop. That, Paine noted, means that a company running a shuttle that uses 20 stops, ten times a day, would pay $200 a day, or more than $50,000 a year. Major users could be forking over $100,000.

That, of course, is chump change to the companies that contract for the shuttles. (more after the jump)

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

Sponsored link

Featured

Breed’s opioid strategy has failed. But there’s a much better option, a new report says

Study shows arrests aren't helping—a model from Zurich offers a clear and effective alternative.

SF Sketchfest recs for every taste and persuasion

Tim Curry, the Groundlings, Found Footage Fest, Tight & Nerdy: As always, the sprawling comedy fest delivers.

The Grammys actually get some things right (and show the Bay a little love)

The often-derided corporate-friendly awards are seeing things a little differently, in the light of a 'New Blue Sun.'

More by this author

‘Standing united in our humanity’: Transgender Immigrants Day kicks off Trans Awareness Week

A community facing attacks on two fronts from Trump resolves to keep SF a sanctuary that 'transcends borders.'

Arts Forecast: Seeking community? Art makes a path

Sound Healing Symphony, SF Coffee Fest, Rose Pistola, White Crate, Leonard Cohen Fest, Legion of Honor 100, more to connect you.

5 fab, free things to do instead of freaking out on Election Day

Smell gorgeous flowers, hear sweet music, hang with the Queen of Art Deco, play some Galaga—we're here for you.
Sponsored link

You might also likeRELATED