I was on the 44 to Glen Park the other day when the lady sitting next to me turned to me and asked a question. I had to pull my earbuds out of my ears and ask her to repeat herself.
“Will the announcement say when we get to Glen Park?” she asked.
“Probably not, but this is it,” I said, and she thanked me.
City Insider reported today that Muni is bringing back the right-turn beep. Ostensibly this 75-db beep is there to warn pedestrians that the bus is coming and/or turning. They turned it off years ago when neighbors complained, but they’re bringing it back due to the number of pedestrians who’ve been mowed down in recent times.
Once again, Muni is a) leaving it up to pedestrians to get out of the way, and b) putting those who can’t hear at a disadvantage. Like, say, the elderly or hearing-disabled.
I don’t mind an additional safety measure. But here’s why I told the story earlier that I did: if Muni’s going to go to the trouble of beeping its head off every time it rounds a corner, I want EVERY location-related audio announcement on EVERY bus to be turned on, functional, and loud enough to hear. I’ve been on so many buses in the past year that had these turned off, making it difficult for locals on crowded buses to find their stop (when you can’t see out the windows or read the overhead signs because there are just too many people in the way, the audio is necessary) — let alone out-of-towners who don’t know where they’re going.
Seriously, if you’re going to bring back annoying-but-possibly-lifesaving beeps, please also bring back the noisemakers that actually help people figure out where they are and when to anticipate their stop. It’s called customer service.
– Beth W.
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It seems to have happened. I’ve been on this 12 for three right turns now, and I’m already ready for a return to the good old days of going around corners quietly and occasionally mowing down an ipod wearer.
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I have not slept past 0600 (6am) since MUNI brought back the f***ing noisy ass signals. They go for 19 hours a day by my place.
Here’s the real kicker: I have a stop light in front of my window and the drivers leave the turn signal on the whole time they’re stopped at the light. There is NO turn at that light and the next bus stop is almost another block away.
I written and complained to EVERYONE including the board of supervisors(they’re worthless).
Some anonymous higher-ups at MUNI have suggested that a petition be put forth because more people than you know are complaining across the entire City.
Let’s get everyone we can to put a stop to this please. You can reach me at norrrmm@juno.com
You can also read my blog about the corporate take-over of SF and MUNI by Clear Channel at fightclearchannelsf.blogspot.com.
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