Ed Lee, San Francisco’s New Mayor, Talks Muni 11.09.11
Photo by Steve Rhodes
So, what does Ed Lee, San Francisco’s new mayor, have to say about Muni?
[crickets] …
No, but seriously, we’re not the only ones who wished that then-Interim Mayor and Mayoral Candidate Ed Lee had responded to requests to talk about Muni. Before the election, Streetsblog SF wondered, “Where has Mayor Lee Been on Muni Questionnaires.” SF Public Press also asked the same question.
For what it’s worth, Mayor Lee’s spokesperson later told StreetsBlog SF:
In the next four years, Mayor Lee will partner with Ed Reiskin and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to boost Muni’s on-time performance and run it more efficiently with work rule reforms, new technologies and our Transit Effectiveness Project. We will invest in refurbishing tracks, buses and railcars. And we will expand the City’s public transit system for the future, with express bus lanes on Geary and Van Ness and the construction of the Central Subway to link jobs and housing in SoMa and Mission Bay to neighborhoods north and south.
We hope that now that he’s got his next four years settled, Mayor Lee will reach out to the community of people who care about Muni.
Streetcar Avengers Fighting Crime and Missed Runs 11.09.11
Art by San Francisco-based artist Julian Lozos. Check out his Kickstartr page (goal met!) for more on his calendar project.
Pretty cool. It’s like choosing which of the X-Men you’d want on your side in a fight (JEAN GREY).
I pick #130 for its deadly combo of style and substance. MSR says it was part of a commission to expand service for the Pan-Pacific International Exposition: the event that brought us the Palace of Fine Arts and showed off a rebuilt — on landfill, but still — post-1906-earthquake San Francisco. Plus, it’s done a tour of duty on almost every streetcar line.
My favorite-favorite F coaches, though, have to be the PCC cars. Smoothest, cushiest ride in town if you time it right (PSST not around 9 a.m. or 5 p.m.).
Meander over to Bernalwood to see more local-landmark superheroes.
Muni News: Bus rapid transit, Transbay Transit Center, streetcar rehab 11.09.11
Photo by Jason Rodman
- Transbay Transit Center sails through hearing (City Insider)
- Van Ness BRT environmental report now available (Rescue Muni || SF Public Press)
- Proposed Van Ness rapid bus touted for speed, reliability (City Insider)
- Muni and state commission close to settlement on alleged safety violations (SF Public Press)
- Following Prop. G ruling, Muni’s $2 billion in federal funds safe (SF Examiner)
- Woman Pepper-Sprayed, Robbed While Waiting For Muni (BCN via SF Appeal)
- SFMTA saves $1 million during streetcar rehab project (SF Examiner)
Muni Ran Over My Bike on the Bike Rack 11.09.11
Photo by Simon Li
I am curious to know from other bike riders if they have ever put a bike on Muni and had if fall out and then run over by the bus?
I put my new Fuji Absolute Hybrid 3.0 with all the bells and whistles on it. I had only rode it for two weeks. It was rainy and dark, and the bus driver didn’t make much eye contact with me. I put the bike in and put the lever lock over the wheel at about 1 or 2 pm. I shook it to make sure it was stable. Then when we were going downhill I heard a HUGE crunch.
Sadly, my bike is really messed up, but the frame is still ok. I do have renter’s insurance, but that has a $250 deductible. Has anyone had any luck getting a claim money back from the City Attorney’s office for a bike falling off of the rack? The Muni supervisor on scene stated that it happens. I’m so bummed out because I loved my new bike and spent a lot of time fixing it up. It also had all of its original components. On Muni’s website it says that you use the bikeracks at your own risk and they aren’t responsible for any damages.
The SFMTA’s “Bikes on Muni” page has information on how to put your bike on the racks, with an accompanying video. We posted a how-to rap video in 2009 here on Muni Diaries. And Helen was correct that you’re putting your bikes on the Muni bike rack at your own risk, even though we’ve known helpful Muni drivers who lend a hand. Cyclists have also told us about bikes being stolen off the racks. Be careful out there, everybody.
RIP Jesse Morris — “Punk Rock Johnny Cash” 11.08.11
Update: A benefit concert and radio tribute are planned for this Friday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 13. Details.
Many of you have seen Jesse performing at BART — we first wrote about Jesse in 2009 on BART Diaries. Jesse was interviewed by BART.gov and talked about why he likes playing in BART stations:
“The acoustics are good down here, the people are friendly,” he says. “They stop and listen, they tip, they smile … I have a good time down here.”
Although Morris has a night job at a bar, and writes and plays original material with his band, Jesse and the Man Cougars, he keeps coming back to play at BART.
“I consider it a job,” he says. “Just like some people might work in an office, I work at the station entertaining people. I get to do what I love, and I can make a living at it.”
SFGate had just written about Jesse and his band, Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars, this January:
How did you name your band?
Jesse came to rehearsal and teased the “old guys” for having young, beautiful girlfriends, saying, “You guys are like a bunch of man cougars.” And the name stuck.
Photographer Bill Cendak shared this photograph of Jesse with us, taken at a band practice at Lennon Studios on Nov. 2, 2011. Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars were due to play at the Uptown this Friday. Cendak has been photographing Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars ever since the band started.
Photo by Bill Cendak
Jesse’s presence made a big impression on photographer Troy Holden, who pointed us to this portrait of Jesse at the 24th Street BART station.
“I see this fellow once each week playing Johnny Cash cover tunes. When I asked him if I could take his portrait, he flipped me off. Not until later did his gesture register with me.”
Jesse was referencing this iconic photo of Johnny Cash, taken in 1969 during his San Quentin performance.
Reader Jenner sent us a photo of Jesse and the Man Cougars at Bender’s earlier this year.
Here’s an older photo of Jesse at the Montgomery BART station.
Photo by fiveinchpixie
If you are a friend, family, or fan of Jesse Morris, we would like to hear from you. Please comment or email us at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com and help us honor a great musician who brought light to our daily transit experience.
Tips for Pregnant Ladies on Riding Muni 11.08.11
Photo by Jonathan Percy
If I thought Muni was uncomfortable, smelly and just generally unpleasant while I wasn’t pregnant, I had no idea what I was in for once I was pregnant.
My first trimester was hell. Every morning I’d dread the N-Judah ride that awaited me. I would say that 3 out of the 5 days of my commute the train was packed or slow, which meant that I could not make it to the office on time to use the bathroom. I began resorting to carrying a compostable bag to throw up in after jumping off at a stop that wasn’t mine or shamefully doing my business crouched on the side of my seat into the bag. The funny part was, no one even glanced remotely in my direction as I heaved into a small garbage bag (which was nice).
I think this might violate an etiquette or two in the bus etiquette handbook, but it beats getting sick all over the floors (or worse, on a poor stranger’s shoes). So, pregnant ladies, hungover partiers, sufferers of motion sickness — start carrying a sick bag with you. At least on Muni, it is much appreciated.
Video: Played out on the 19-Polk 11.07.11
A friend shared this video by Hail Mary Mallon the other day. The lyrical reference is to the 19-Polk, and the visuals are pretty cool. Contains some NSFW language.
Enjoy.
Contagious Laughter on the 33-Stanyan 11.07.11
Photo by Dave Schumaker
Muni rider Kevin has proof that laughter is contagious: including (especially?) when you’re on a nighttime bus full of strangers.
She’s sitting mid-bus: a tiny woman in an anorak jacket with the hood pulled up to her chin, giving her a weeble–like look. She’s talking a mile a minute to no one I can see, punctuating her monologue with the “HA HA HA” laugh. It’s a big laugh for such a little lady. There’s a definite twinkle in her eye.
I look around at my fellow passengers. They’ve all heard her. Frankly, you couldn’t not hear her. Most are smiling. Some are laughing along with her. The guy next to me is shaking with silent laughter. Every “HA HA HA” brings him closer and closer to losing it.
I crank down my music to try and hear what she’s saying. From what I can make out, it’s mostly a stream of nonsense. But whatever it is, it sure is amusing the hell out of her and, by extension, most of us as well.
We San Franciscans get used to daily encounters with the crazy. It’s usually sad, sometimes gross and, once in a while, scary. Tonight, at least, it came in the form of a bus ride full of laughter.
Laughed for no goddamn reason on Muni and wish you could do it more often? Got the giggles waiting for your bus? Send us your story once you’ve collected yourself again.
Photo Diary: The Undead Waits for Muni 11.06.11
Photo by Lilah Johnson
The Day of the Dead procession is hands-down my favorite event of the year in San Francisco – amazing costumes, a calm and beautiful spirit, and sometimes, even some lively fun. This year I spotted this huge skeleton who took over a Muni shelter and made it his own photo booth, inviting all to join him for some silly poses. It was an instant hit and the crowd gathered around the Muni shelter like paparazzi but in a good way.
Ride Muni like a boss. Our Fast Pass Clipper card holders and Muni Diaries T-shirts are all on sale 
