The Muni Forward project is bringing a new slew of service changes to transit lines across the city, which are set to kick off this Saturday. Some lines are getting more buses and trains, others less, and one line is getting some bigger new buses added to the lineup. The much-debated stop reductions on the L-Taraval are also moving forward.

According to SFMTA, the changes are based on feedback from Muni riders, adding service to popular routes and reducing frequency on others to prevent terminal crowding or to address under-used service. There are also a few stop and route adjustments in the works.

Increased frequency

The 8AX-Bayshore Express will see increased frequency during morning and evening commute hours. The 25-Treasure Island's service will be increased in the evening, and the 29-Sunset will have more buses in the morning.

The upgrades on the 8AX and 29 were recommended as part of the Muni Equity Strategy, which aims to improve transit performance in selected San Francisco neighborhoods.

Service reductions

In terms of buses, the 7X-Noriega Express and 14X-Mission Express will see less frequent service during morning commute hours, while the 8BX-Bayshore Express and 82X-Levi's Plaza Express will be reduced during evening commute hours.

The city's historic streetcars will also experience a reduction in service: expect fewer F-Market and F-Wharves trains in the morning and afternoon hours, to reduce crowding at the F-line's 17th and Market terminus in the Castro. The SFMTA says the reductions will make the line more reliable.

The new 60-foot trolley buses.

New 60-foot buses

The regular 5-Fulton will get more 60-foot trolley buses, following which have already been introduced on the 5R-Fulton Rapid. The new buses add an additional 20 feet of passenger space, as compared to standard Muni buses—which is necessary, given that the two lines get a combined 22,000 riders per day.

Later this year, the 5-Fulton Rapid Project will also be making major changes on McAllister Street, adding traffic circles, relocating stops, and installing traffic signals to speed up the bus.

Stop and route changes

L-Taraval & L-Owl: As part of the L-Taraval Rapid Project, the L will no longer stop at the following locations: The inbound and outbound stops on Taraval Street and 28th Avenue and Ulloa Street at 15th Avenue; the inbound stop at Taraval Street and 24th Avenue; and the outbound stops on Taraval Street at 17th, 22nd and 35th avenues.

These changes were controversial with many neighbors; here's more coverage of the debate over the L-Taraval stops.



28R-19th Avenue: The line will get a new stop at 19th Avenue and Noriega Street in both directions, and the southern portion of the 28R route will be shortened, moving the line's terminus from Mission Street and Geneva Avenue to the area near the Balboa Park BART/Muni Station.

The 28R's southern terminal will temporarily be relocated to the southwest corner of San Jose and Geneva avenues, as the SFMTA works with the local community to find a permanent location.

Changes are coming to the 28R.

5-Fulton & 5R-Fulton: The inbound 5 and 5R stop at Fulton Street and Masonic Avenue will be moved from the near side of the intersection to the far side.

5-Fulton Owl & 7X-Noriega Express: The inbound 5-Owl and 7X stops on Golden Gate Avenue at Hyde and Jones streets will be discontinued. The 5-Owl stop at Golden Gate Avenue and Leavenworth Street will be moved to the far side of the intersection, and will now also be served by the 7X.

10-Townsend: Inbound and outbound 10-Townsend stops at 2nd and Folsom streets will be discontinued.

12-Folsom/Pacific: The outbound 12 stop at 2nd and Folsom streets will be removed as well.

27-Bryant: While the outbound stop on Bryant Street at 13th and Alameda streets will be discontinued, a new stop will be created at Bryant and Division streets.

Photo: Paul Sullivan/Flickr

48-24th/Quintara: The outbound stop at Quintara Street and 43rd Avenue will be moved from the far side of the intersection to the near side.

What do you think of the changes? Let us know in the comments!