Muni News: Dog-shooting artist, transit funding cuts, Muni repairs 09.21.11
Photo by Kyle Sullivan
- Second art project by sculptor who shot dog on hold (City Insider)
- BART Protests: When Will They Stop? (SF Weekly)
- Bill would allow BART to keep out those who repeatedly break law (Contra Costa Times)
- Should Public Transit Agencies Strive for Profitability? (Streetsblog)
- BART Protesters Calm Down, Hand Out Fliers (SFist)
- BART And Caltrain Officials Decry Proposed Cuts To Federal Transportation Funding (SF Appeal)
- Central Subway Supporters Meet To Talk About Just How Much They Support It (BCN via SF Appeal)
- SFMTA Begins Repairs On Cables Responsible For Many A Muni Delay (SF Appeal)
Clipper Payment Problems 09.21.11
Photo by Jamison Wieser
Clipper attempted to charge $72 for my August Fast Pass against the card that was closed. Because Clipper credits your card before the transaction is actually processed, I did not realize my mistake until Aug. 12, when I received an email to tell my that my charge was declined. I immediately signed on to my account on the Clipper website and updated my credit card info.
But because the charges for his Fast Pass were declined, Clipper blocked that part of Scott’s card until they processed the transaction on his new card. Because the ecash part of his card was not blocked, every time he used Muni between until Clipper cleared his new card, he was deducting $2 per ride.
It seems there is a problem with the Clipper website, where updated billing information is not saved correctly, so when the cash balance on my Clipper card was depleted and when they attempted a new charge, they used my old debit card number and the charge was declined. But, Clipper credited my card. And because there is so much lag time between when the transactions are declined to when they notify the customer, I continued to deplete the Clipper card balance and they initiated more transactions against the closed debit card.
Finally, he tried using the card and found that it was completely blocked. He called Clipper and they informed him of the error with their website. Scott was assured that his account was not corrected and Clipper would expedite having his card unblocked.
Since this was 4:40 p.m. on a Friday, I didn’t have much hope. Sure enough, the card was not cleared until the morning of Aug. 30, when I used my card on the 24, I saw on the display that my monthly pass was used. Then at 1:07 p.m., on the same day, I received an email that charges to my debit card were declined. I called Clipper and sure enough my card is blocked again. Once again, I was told that it was fixed and that it should be available to use in 24 hours.
Scott adds: “I’m not holding my breath.” My god.
We contacted Scott to hear about any possible resolution to his story. We at Muni Diaries are no strangers to Clipper fuckery ourselves. How about you? Has something similar to Scott’s ordeal happened to you? It appears that the website at least sometimes fails to process user updates.
Your Thoughts: Free Muni for Schoolkids? 09.20.11
Photo by velobry
As SF Weekly notes, fares account for around 25 percent of Muni’s annual revenue. But the idea is plausible; for example, offering the passes only certain times of year, and only for low-income students.
We’re curious what you think. We already know how many of you feel about Muni buses and streetcars filled with children. But what about public school students? Should they get a free ride?
Historic 7-Haight — What Could Be 09.20.11
Photo by skew-t
Last week, we posted about a circa-1960s Muni bus up for auction, yours for the bargain-basement price of $12,000. You have a little less than a day to bid on that one. But, you ask, what will I do with my vintage Muni bus, other than have fabulous parties in it?
Tofu St. John on our Facebook Page had a popular suggestion:
I think a few should be restored and put into regular service for the retro appeal. Bring back the 7-Haight and only use old, restored buses.
Now there’s an idea.
We had some sad-face after our favorite elusive (read: not ridden that often, but nice when we did) lines got the axe in 2009. After soliciting Muni obituaries for them, we found a number of you felt the same way. A historic version of the 26-Valencia or the 4-Sutter at least makes for some fun afternoon daydreaming, however unlikely it seems in real life.
Unraveling ‘Trip Down Market Street’ 09.20.11
David Kiehn, historian for the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, will be talking about the Miles Brothers and their many files. For a preview, check out the Market Street Railway‘s narrated version of the footage. It turns out that the film was made just days before the 1906 earthquake. Amazing stuff.
“Unraveling the story behind ‘A Trip Down Market Street’” is at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Jewish Community Center. See details from Squidlist.
Pics from Last Night: Illustrated Muni Riders 09.20.11
Fun with the do-it-yourself HTC display at the Muni stop last night.
I really want to know what the “surprised” guy saw.
What else did you see on and around Muni? Keep up with the fun stuff on the Muni Diaries Facebook page or Twitter.
Muni token wine stopper, FTW 09.19.11
Well, happy freakin’ birthday to me. Over the weekend, a friend gave me this early bday gift: a Muni token wine stopper. Some guy in Sacramento makes wine stoppers with various items like this at the top, and my friend happened to notice this gem. Oddly, she thought I might like it.
It reminds me how some people think I’m a little more into Muni than I actually am. Don’t get me wrong — editing Muni Diaries is a total joy. And ephemera like Muni tokens make me happy. But, it’s not like I’m obsessed or anything …
Thank you, Jill!
Muni News: Free Muni for Kids, BART Protest Shenanigans 09.19.11
Photo by Erik Wilson
- BART spokesman in hot water for staging support (SFGate) | (SF Weekly)
- Muni Masturbation Grinds On (SF Weekly)
- Lost Your Clipper Card? How to Get a Replacement Fast (Akit’s Complaint Department)
- Latest Central Subway Controversy: Commissioned Sculptor Once Shot a Dog (SFist)
- Leland Yee Latest to Call for Free Muni — It’s For the Kids! (SF Weekly)
- New BART general manager willing to meet with protestors (SFGate)
- Central Subway costs vary between San Francisco, federal agencies (SF Examiner)
Photo Diary: Muni Disco Party In My Ears 09.19.11
In other news this morning: girl on Muni with fuzzy disco ball headphones. Scattered light and everything!
That is exactly how I want to start my Mondays. I’m not sure what she’s listening to, but I am hoping it involves “Night Fever,” at least. Take a listen.
Makes you miss the days of the first Muni party in this 1980s flashback, doesn’t it?
Phil Ting’s Muni Survival Kit 09.18.11
Mayoral candidate Phil Ting and his Reset SF team came up with this Muni survival kit with their version of essentials. Just one problem, though: how will you eavesdrop on all the great conversations that you can tweet at us if you’re wearing those headphones? Better put them on and pretend you’re listening to music while tweeting madly.
Read about what Ting and other mayoral candidates proposes to do with Muni if they’re elected in our mayoral candidate roundup.
Ride Muni like a boss. Our Fast Pass Clipper card holders and Muni Diaries T-shirts are all on sale 
