Muni faces possible fines over numerous safety violations

Oopsie @ Church and Duboce
Photo by joemud

On the heels of an 18-month investigation, the California Public Utilities Commission alleges that our very own SFMTA is in violation of federal, state, and local safety regulations. SFMTA, of course, denies the allegations, but the case is headed to administrative law court for a judge to decide whether the agency stands to have fines of $20,000 per day and other penalties levied against it. Muni has 30 days to respond to the state’s allegations.

One of the trouble spots, to no sane person’s surprise, is Church and Duboce. Just yesterday, however, right before we started seeing the reports of the CPUC’s investigation, we received an email from SFMTA noting
planned rail maintenance work for this weekend.

San Francisco Business Journal lists the other major allegations, and the SF Examiner also has a story up.

While we certainly agree with the need for SFMTA to be within regulations, we’d hate to see the already fiscally challenged agency slapped with heavy fines. We’ll do our best to follow up on this case, and report it back here on Muni Diaries.

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9 comments

  • That intersection needs — at the very least — someone to direct traffic.

    The way it is now is dangerous and confusing, with pedestrians running through traffic to catch trains, cars darting in front of slow-moving trains, people turning and driving in the bike-only lane on Duboce… the list goes on and on.

    The long-term solution would be to close the intersection to cars entirely.

    • It always struck me as the poster intersection for San Francisco. Don’t forget homeless people at the stop on Church, and yuppies mixing with Mission and Haight punkies.

      But yes, I’m amazed there aren’t more accidents there. I get hella cautious going through it, no matter what mode of transportation.

  • loren

    i wait at church and duboce for the N almost every day, and i’ve seen so many near-misses… and several accidents. i’m kind of amazed that there aren’t traffic lights there, considering how chaotic it is.

    it would also be nice if that stop had an actual bus shelter of some sort, or railing on the island, or ANYTHING really. it just seems like such a neglected stop considering the amount of traffic (of all sorts) that it gets.

  • Daishin

    I want to thank Muni Diaries for not glossing over the state CPUC allegations against Muni. Sometimes in its haste to be the cheerleader of all things Muni, the Diaries put a positive or at least humorous spin on what how the transit system functions. Between the beautiful romantic photos of “Muni by moonlight” or weddings on the F Line, the actual state of the Muni system gets short shrift in most updates. I think that’s because the mods behind this website have an undying and committed affection for our sad public transit. I just am thankful that on occasion the truth wins out here.

    • “Sometimes in its haste to be the cheerleader of all things Muni.” Whoa, buddy! Sorry you feel that way about us. I think you’re confusing our mission here at Muni Diaries. It’s true that we focus mostly on human interest stories on Muni — you may think it is “the lighter side of Muni” but no less interesting. Riding the system, and the things that happen to and around people on the bus, is an entirely different set of affairs than the political surrounding a public transit agency in a large urban area.

      For nearly three years, we’ve published Muni news on the site, and have always tried to do so in the most constructive way possible. But we’re, at heart, a story-telling website. Correcting your comment: we have an undying and committed affection for San Francisco — its people, its stories, and of course, its problems. It’s easy to say “Muni sucks” or “Fuck Muni.” We know that. We know we’re not in any way perfect, but what we do is what we do — “diaries” of people and their lives and stories. You are always welcome to peruse our Weekend Photos posts for a news roundup of everything wrong with Muni and proposals to try to fix it.

      • Daishin

        First of all, Jeff, I’m not your buddy! Second your admission that “For nearly three years, we’ve published Muni news on the site, and have always tried to do so in the most constructive way possible” simply affirms what I stated in my original post. MD is a cheerleading site for Muni. That’s all I was getting at. The Diaries takes the position that Muni is a worthwhile and valuable asset to our community. I take the opposite and more realistic position that it is not.

        • Again, I’m sorry you feel this way. About Muni, and about Muni Diaries. I think you’re mistaken about both.

        • molly

          I think the main point you need to consider is that…
          “Riding the system, and the things that happen to and around people on the bus, is an entirely different set of affairs than the political surrounding a public transit agency in a large urban area.”

          I also highly disagree with the statement that “The Diaries takes the position that Muni is a worthwhile and valuable asset to our community.” Since when did writing a human interest piece equate to your approval or disapproval of ANYTHING? Covering human interests stories doesn’t correlate to anyone’s opinion and in fact, could be argued that it is even less opinionated then a news article! There is nothing within this piece that shows the slightest of slants within the political arena.
          There will always be interesting human interactions within Muni- don’t ignore it just because Muni sucks! (to put to eloquently).

  • Molly: I merely take objection to Daishin’s characterization of Muni Diaries as a “cheerleading” site for SFMTA. We’re nothing of the sort, and I’m sorry that anyone feels that way.

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