Philosophy on the 6 Parnassus 01.11.12
Interesting what you can learn from a sticker…
…especially ones you find on Muni. Add your own Muni story to Muni Diaries.
Christmas Night on Muni 12.26.11
How was your Christmas on the bus? For once uneventful, let’s hope?
Two Way Haight Street and Your Muni Ride 10.20.11
Photo by Andy B
When constructed in 2014, the project is expected to improve transit reliability for the roughly 20,000 daily riders on the 6 and 71 Muni lines by eliminating unnecessary detours that delay buses behind congested car traffic.
The current experience on the 71, said SFMTA Director Joél Ramos, is a ”long and painful ride.”
“I take offense at people who have guffawed at the 3-minute savings,” he said. “When you’ve got a bus load of people, that’s 60 people times 3 minutes each. That turns into hours which quickly turns into days of time for people that are late to work, away from their families, and these are people that are doing the right thing by not driving and getting out of our cars in this transit-first city.”
More from Haighteration:
Currently, Haight Street traffic flows in one direction — westward, away from Market Street — on the block in question. That means Muni buses traveling eastward on Haight Street have to be diverted, turning left once they reach Laguna and then right onto Page. The route brings Muni into direct competition with automobile traffic approaching Octavia Boulevard, which can often make for a painfully slow commute.
What do you think of the Haight Street Two Way Traffic Plan? Good idea to improve your commute?
“My little hat” and multi cultural Muni 04.14.11
Photo by R.Henry Goins
Tuesday was a good day. I didn’t have to work, I had finished the massive overhaul of cleaning my room and I had just finished three excellent crispy tacos from El Faro in the Financial District. I was feeling pretty good.
I walked down to Market street to catch the 6 or 71 to meet my cousin to help her run errands. When the 6 finally showed up, I got on, tapped my clipper card and sat down, listening to music and checking my favorite blogs on my phone.
After a few more stops had gone by, I became aware that the large woman sitting across from me was staring me down. Hard. Like the way a dog looks at a bone. I smiled awkwardly at her and she motioned for me to take out my headphones. I obliged and she pointed at the yarmulke my head and loudly asked “What up wit’ yo’ little hat?”
Now, as a modern, liberal, San Franciscan Jew, I don’t ever really wear the head covering prescribed by the Torah. But every now and then (and since Passover is just a week away) I feel the need to connect with my roots. Go to Temple, wear my kippah and tallit, make myself feel extra Jewy.
So, how do I answer her politely? The bus was surprisingly crowded for the middle of the day, and I detest questions like these because religious practices are weird to talk about in public.
“It’s a kippah,” I tell her. “A head covering to remind Jews that God is above them.”
She nodded, satisfied with my answer. But she had more questions. “So, you’s a Jew then?”
I nodded.
“So, you don’t believe that Jesus died for yo’ sins?”
Crap. Just what I was afraid of. While I am proud about my heritage, I am not well-schooled in defending my faith. And certainly not on a public bus full of people staring uncomfortably at us while my stomach growls loudly because I just crammed down five tacos and a coke.
“Jews have a lot of different ideas about Jesus, but for the most part, no, we don’t believe that.”
Her eyes widened. “But what you gonna do when you die? Wit-out Jesus, you go to hell!” It was almost a plea. Truthfully, although I was annoyed at this conversation, I couldn’t help but feel a little touched. She seemed genuinely afraid for my soul, and she wasn’t being accusatory or belligerent. Over zealous maybe, but I was getting the feeling it came from a good place.
This led to us having a startling meaningful conversation about faith, and how different religions are better for different people. I learned that she was born and raised in San Francisco, and had been homeless for years. Using drugs, alcohol and her own body as a weapon of escape, she cleaned up her act with the help of a church. She now had a job, didn’t steal and was in the process of reconnecting with her family from whom she was estranged.
I told her about my family, my own crazy childhood, and how I also used my faith to pull me out of some dark times. It turns out she and I had a lot in common. As the bus made the left turn off Haight and on to Masonic, I stood up, thanking her for the conversation.
“I ain’t met a Jew before,” she told me as I swung my backpack around my shoulder. “But you seem like a chill people. You’s a good kid, honey. Keep up the good work.”
I hugged her, and told her people like her give Christians a good name. I got off the bus and started walking down Masonic. A homeless guy at the stop for the 43 line asked me for some change, but I apologized; I didn’t have any to give.
“Fucking kyke!” He yelled at me. I sighed.
Just another day in San Francisco.
Justice on the 6-Parnassus 08.04.10
Photo by Ian Fuller
Muni rider Aaron caught this exciting action on the 6-Parnassus last week:
I hope someone got video of this. The other thuggy girl sat there in awe with her mouth open as the elderly woman sat back down. Beauty, incarnate.
While we hope no one was injured in this excitement, we’re always happy to see Muni riders standing up to the thugs among us.
Be like Aaron. Share that Muni story you’ve been telling your friends at parties.
Coolest Muni rider ever? 07.12.10
Patricia doesn’t mince words:
I challenge anyone to spot a cooler MF on any Muni vehicle. FYI, this was on the inbound 6-Parnassus at around 7:30am Friday (7/09/2010)
Muni Diaries loves a challenge. And we have to agree: This guy is one cool MF. You’ve seen cooler? Show us!
Flipped SUV Hits 6-Parnassus (update w/photos) 05.04.10
Photos by Spots Unknown
Update (1:35 p.m.): Spots Unknown’s post on the accident is here.
Update (1:32 p.m.): SF Appeal has an update from MTA:
An SF MTA spokesperson tells us that preliminary reports say that a Jeep-type SUV hit the island (the cement place where you wait for the bus, yikes), rolled over and hit the Operator side of the bus. As of yet, no injuries have been reported.
Original post: SF Appeal has the goods.
We’ve received a report from Appeal staffer Katie Doze, who says that a 6 Parnassus Muni bus has collided with an SUV on Market at Montgomery, causing it to overturn. “It does not appear that any other car was involved” says Doze, who happened on the scene moments after it happened.
She says that the accident is blocking northbound buses, so if you’re in the area, prepare for bad traffic.
We’ll do our best to update. Or you can check in with SF Appeal.
Muni driver calls passenger ‘retarded’ 01.21.10
Photo by Thomas Hawk
Oh, and stop calling passengers names! Right now!
I was riding the No. 6 Parnassus about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 when a woman passenger pointed out to the driver that he was running a red light while turning off of Judah onto 9th Ave.
He told her: “It’s none of your business.” She said: “I’m riding this bus, so it’s my business.” And got off the bus. He called out after her: “You’re retarded!” Another passenger on the bus got into the act and shouted “Retarded bitch!” out the window at the woman.
My stop was a few blocks later, and after pulling the cord, I went up to the driver. “What is your driver number?” I asked. He pointed to the number of the bus: 5469. “No, that’s the bus number. Is that your number on your sleeve: 2725?” He nodded. I said: “Perhaps you’d like to call me retarded.” “She was rude,” said the driver. “You have no right to call a passenger retarded even if you think she’s rude or out of line,” I said.
“If you’re rude to me, I’m gonna call you retarded,” he said, raising his voice. “Go on, be rude!” I just got off the bus. “You’re not worth it,” I snapped.
Blackberry Breaks 11.25.09
Photo by Flickr user rwkvisual
Editor’s Note: Rider Eric sent in this diary on the 6-Parnassus, where he couldn’t help but notice a heart wrenching exchange on the Blackberry phone next to him.
It’s 6:30pm and I’m getting on the 6 bus to go home. Usually, on my way to work, I catch the underground, but coming home, unless I’m getting produce at the market, I like to get door to fucking door.
I nab my favorite seat-towards the back on the right just behind the back doors. I forgo my iPod for a change, look in my bag for a magazine I know I don’t have, check my watch, and slide down into the glossy brown plastic seat.
I look out the window as we pass Powell. There’s the standard crowd with pocket cameras and fanny packs circling around a group of street performers corralling the tourists like a herd. I think back to these two boys I once saw dancing for money on the F train in Brooklyn. One was moving to the beat of the other’s hands. As we approached the stop at Smith and 9th, they came around with a hat and people pulled out change without even looking up from the newspaper. When the doors opened, they ran to the next car. I watched them through the connecting car windows as the train went underground, the other one now dancing. I look back at the performers at Powell and shrug off the thought that I live in a town that wants to be a city.
I haven’t noticed it until now, but the guy next to me is fiercely thumbing away on his Blackberry. He’s young, unshaved, in ruffled jeans. I never understand why anyone would want a Blackberry if they weren’t a business man. It’s sort of like a 16 year old choosing to drive a Ford Taurus.
Did I mention how big and bright the fucking screen is on a Blackberry? So I can’t help but look over at what he’s typing, it’s practically in my face—“You look at things all wrong…that’s not what I meant at all”. He fires it off, drops the phone between his legs and stares ahead, wistfully.
30 seconds later, a buzzing tone comes from his lap. I try to make out what the message says, but he’s cradling the phone towards the window—unaware of me, but still hiding it. He reads it, lets out a sigh: this isn’t good.
(more…)
Please turn off your engines while waiting 11.20.09
Photo by Thomas Hawk
Muni rider Jessica has a request:
Hi there,
I live near a large bus stop (big enough for two buses) where the 37-Corbett and the 6-Parnassus and some other buses like to wait on their breaks. I only ask that while said buses and bus drivers are on their break that they turn off their engines. The soot from the buses drifts into my apartment and all over my furniture. Which I clean 2 times a week to remove the black layer of debris that lands from the exhaust. The noise of an idling engine is hard enough to bare especially early in the morning. I just ask all bus drivers while you are waiting please turn off the engine. Not only will it cut down on noise but it is good for the environment as well. Thank you and have a happy holiday season.
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