SF Muni Inches Closer To Allowing All-Door Boarding
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – A proposal to allow San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency riders to legally board at the back of the bus has cleared anther hurdle.
The plan was strongly endorsed by a San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee on Monday, a week before it goes to the full board for final approval.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
Muni officials have been trying to find a way to keep buses on-time and speed them off to their destinations. So Supervisor David Chiu asked the Land Use Committee to allow riders with proof of payment or Clipper cards to be able to board at any door.
"We know that Muni has to become more efficient for our city to have a world class transportation system," said Chiu.
He noted that Muni is one of the slowest transit systems in the nation, with buses averaging only eight miles an hour.
MTA Director Ed Reiskin said he is also onboard with the plan.
"When people are all congregating and waiting to get into the front door, it has a measurable impact on the speed of the system," Reiskin said.
Speeding up the system would save Muni millions in operating costs each year.
One downside to the proposal is a possible increase in fare evasion. But to fight the problem, the MTA plans to hire 10 more fare inspectors.
If approved next week, Muni would roll out the program starting in July.
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