New Report Assesses Environmental Impact of SF's Transit Effectiveness Project

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The San Francisco Planning Department has released an Environmental Impact Report in response to a proposed Municipal Railway project aimed at improving service.

Muni's Transit Effectiveness Project  would improve service for riders with dedicated transit lanes, easier boarding platforms, route changes and reduced travel times, according to the agency.

"Transit Effectiveness Project is a project that aims to transform Muni so that people can get where they need to go, as fast as possible and as safe as possible," said Muni spokesman Paul Rose.

The Planning Department's draft EIR considers Muni's proposed various ways of doing just that, and while most would have little or no impact on traffic, the EIR suggests other proposals would increase traffic congestion and reduce parking, especially in loading zones.

"Now what we do is to look at each of the proposals that are on the table and take those proposals and work with the community on what we put forward as far as an implementation plan," Rose explained.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which runs Muni, will accept written comments from the public through August 26, and will hold hearings on the draft EIR thereafter.

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