Matier & Ross: Mayor Ed Lee pushed Nat Ford out 06.19.11
Photo by Brian Kusler
Money quote:
[Lee] wanted someone with a “150 percent commitment” to running Muni – and that Ford, with his constant job hunting, wasn’t cutting it.
Matier and Ross also report that Department of Public Works Director Ed Reiskin maybe a likely replacement, though it’s uncertain whether Reiskin will actually be taking Ford’s place.
Read the rest of the story at SFGate.
Modified Signs: Treat People Like Animals 06.18.11
Weekend Photos: On a lighter note 06.17.11
Photo by All City
Enjoy these photos, the weather, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for an uneventful Muni commute home.
Photo by Manuelrod
Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch
Photo by Vivian Chen
Muni News: Nat Ford, Muni Meltdown, Nat Ford 06.17.11
- Mayor to Muni: Hit the 85 percent on-time mark (SFGate)
- Contract means more money for Muni (SFGate)
- Nat Ford’s Legacy (SF Weekly)
- Muni Will Never Make 85 Percent On-Time Goal (SF Weekly)
- Next Muni Chief to Be Local Hire (Bay Citizen)
- Cash-strapped Muni defends severance pay for chief (SFGate)
- Transit Cuts Turn One Bus Ride Into Three (Mission Local)
- Nat Ford’s Departure Is Timed Well (SF Weekly)
- Rec and Park director Phil Ginsburg flattered, but not interested in Muni position (SF Examiner)
- N-Judah mishap unrelated to lack of automatic control system, Muni says (SF Examiner)
Unnecessary Rudeness: A PSA of Sorts 06.17.11
Photo by Tantek Çelik
She says this in response:
“Can’t you read? It said ‘already processed.’ Fucking idiot.”
So … some friendly reminders and tips for everyone at home:
- “EH-EH” is the no-no sound. “EH,” singular, is the good sound. Both are really loud and obvious.
- Those machines always tell you, aurally and on the screen, when your tag worked. Pretty sure it displays a red light if it didn’t.
- It happens to the best of us. I usually board the bus, rolling my eyes after two tries, and tag at the back doors.
- The drivers can be faulted for a great many things, but failure to tag a card on persnickety machines isn’t one of them.
She was sweet as pie to the passengers, perhaps realizing how snatchy the whole exchange was.
Muni Service Restored + Meltdown Witnesses 06.17.11
Photo by geordino
How’s your morning commute after yesterday’s epic meltdown?
We have a few witness reports from yesterday evening for you too. A couple of commenters on Muni Diaries wrote in to share their experience having been on the N-Judah that took out wires and concrete supports, and in effect, wiped out the entire Muni Metro subway system for hours.
First, @heyitscarlosjr:
And next, Lily:
I was on the N Judah when this happened. I was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced during my time on public transit. Before we entered the tunnel a Muni worker looked like he was chasing our train waving his hands. As soon as I lost all cell phone reception sparks started flying everywhere outside of the train, and then the ceiling began to crack spaying debris onto the surrounding seats. We waited 20 minutes to be “rescued” and lead back up to the street. Fuck you for making me an hour late to work Muni!
Sounds like Carlos got off the N-Judah prior to what Lily is describing. In any event, it sounds spectacular if fail-ridden.
And SFMTA has issued its obligatory “Muni will investigate” statement, according to the SF Examiner. Possible culprit? Missing automatic train controls, which, according to the Examiner, “might have prevented a train from ripping wires and concrete supports off a subway wall.”
We’ll keep you updated, and keep us updated on your commute today.
Muni Metro Underground Royally Screwed (updates) 06.16.11
Update (3:41 p.m.): The Examiner reports that an N-Judah LRV is the cause of the delays/stoppages. The light-rail apparently dislodged wires and pulled down a concrete support.
From the Examiner’s report:
[SFMTA Transit Director John] Haley said there is “no question” the evening commutes will be affected. He hopes to have the K-Ingleside, L-Taraval and M-Ocean View up and running by 3 p.m., but service for the J and N are not expected to resume underground until tomorrow. Haley estimated it will take eight to nine hours to repair the damage.
Original post: So reports the SF Examiner. 511 says shuttles are in place between Embarcadero and Castro. Also, the Examiner reports that the Church Street Station is closed. We’ll do our best to keep you updated.
@DavidCairns says: “Note to muni riders: outbound service only at Church station, inbound track evidently totally fucked”
Open Thread: Ding dong 06.16.11
Photo by Andrea Hale
Consider this post a chance for you to reflect on the poop-stained tenure of Mr. Ford, relish in his removal, or turn your sights toward his replacement and potential ways to get Muni back on track.
Also, this was fun.
Yarnbomb a BART Seat! 06.16.11
Photo: Livermore Patch
Did you celebrate June 11, International Yarn Bombing Day? Yeah, me neither. But our man Ed Casey at @BARTDiaries found an interview with someone named Street Color, who yarn bombed the hell out of a BART seat.
How exactly did this happen? First, Street Color “knit really solidly for a month and hysterically for a week.” Then the ride begins. From the Livermore Patch:
Actually I made it as a slipcover so that I could take it on and off. Originally I planned to sew the piece to the seat but as I knit on and on I started to like that seat cover and I knew that BART would cut it off and throw it away . I wanted to be able to make it into a performance piece and put it on lots of different trains. So I put it on the seat and took pictures and then sat on it and rode to San Francisco.
Read the rest of the interview at Livermore Patch.
By the way, Ed prefers the term “guerilla knitting” to “yarn bombing.”
Now, when will someone declare cross stitch warfare on Muni seats?
Thanks, @knithacker!
Nat Ford out as head of SFMTA 06.15.11
Photo by Jamison Weiser
Update, Thurs., 7:37 a.m.: SFGate says Ford’s departure will happen June 30. Read more about his tumultuous tenure and “accomplishments” at the Gate.
Original post:
Read more at the Examiner.
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