Category: From MD Editors

Ray of Hope on the Morning Commute

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Sun, Fog, and Overhead Wires
Photo by Flickr user Telstar Logistics

100 Muni Stories7:13am, October 13, 2009.

The first big rain of the season; I stepped onto the 5-Fulton bus for my usual commute and felt like I had just battled a true typhoon. I went to my favorite seat immediately and settled down.

There were a couple of men talking about San Francisco; they were both recent transplants to the city, so they were making comparisons of their previous locations to The City. I felt like it was just a simple exchange of a few words, so I drifted off into my own thoughts, and onto a warm slumber during the 40-minute commute.

Rain poured outside while our bus driver perilously navigated the slick streets; meanwhile the two men continued to talk across the aisle with each other, until one, who introduced himself as “James”, decided he would just sit beside his new companion, who said his name was “Jack”.

As the bus continued on towards downtown, more passengers boarded with gloomy expressions over the unexpected rain. However, through the gray faces, Jack and James seemed to melt into their own world, sharing their life stories with one another.

Somehow, that small scene from this morning has stuck with me all day–that, amidst all the recent negative Muni coverage, there are still small beams of hope shining through all the mess.

Category: 100 Muni Stories, From MD Editors, Story Archive Tags:

Your Muni ‘Day in Storm’

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Tree VS Muni Lines
Photo by Flickr user Picklesthefirecat

An email from Muni rider Katherine:

Hey guys,

Man what a weathery day!

From SFAppeal: “2:43 PM: Not really related to what we’re talking about, but since this is already a Muni post, what the hell? MTA spokesperson Judson True says that the L Taraval’s derailed between 35th and 36 Aves at 2:05 today. No one was injured, and the cause for the derailment is still unknown.

L riders will be taking a bus between 22 and the zoo.”

My update: my trusty security guard friend, Myles, was waiting to board the train that “derailed”. Apparently it was switching from the outbound to inbound rails and a giant gust of wind caused the electric guide bar thingy and attached electrical box thingy to come completely off the top of train. He thinks the system power cables came along with it. Hence, no L service after 22.

Definitely not a good day for my good ‘ol L line…

The derailment follows a morning of general wet, humid commuting in which NextBus joined its friend Muni in total broken-down-land.

And we’ve still got the evening commute to go … ah!

What has your experience been like today?

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Mind the Bikes on BART, Boy!

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Integrated transport excitement - you can take bikes on the BART!
Photo by Flickr user Pete Boyd

BART rider Chris sends word of a major sting operation on BART. That’s right, bike scofflaws, beware:

This morning, at 16th and Mission, a station agent was posted up at the fare gates asking every person attempting to enter with their bicycle which direction they were going. If they said East Bay or Downtown, then they were reminded that bikes were not allowed on BART. Some people were visibly annoyed… but no one seemed to not know about the rules… mostly people were asking the agent why this rule was starting to be enforced.

BART’s bicycle rules are here, for the record.

Anyone else seen these dragnet officers in action? Anyone got any strong feelings on the matter? Let us know in comments.

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Black Stripe Tattoo on the 31 – is this you? Muni Missed Connections of the Week

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Without Knowing What Is Going To Happen Next
Photo by Flickr user ashleyniblock

The weekend brought a round of amusing Craigslist Muni Missed Connections, courtesy of tattoos and LoveFest.

Black glasses, black stripe tattoos on arms… – m4w (31 Muni Bus)

“You only got on the Muni briefly, and got off at the college. Your left arm has one fairly solid, wide black stripe tattoo on it, the right arm had what looked like 2 or 3 thin solid black stripes, and you were wearing a white tshirt, jeans and black glasses.

You’re beyond cute….like, way beyond cute!!!

I wonder what it’d take for a guy like me to take you out for a drink or something….”

I really love it when Missed Connections are, like, long, semi-drown-out conversations.

Beautiful Asian lady – m4w

“You and I held the same bar… in that crowded muni. I think you are beautiful. I doubt if you noticed me. Coffee?” (italics, ours)

The same bar??? Uh, cute.

Girl in the red hat – 71L at 8:30 am – m4w (haight ashbury)

“Normally I pass on MUNI, but this morning I took the 71L downtown. We sat next to each other, eventually. I’m groggy in the mornings, but wanted to say I thought your nail polish — a funky blue color — was pretty cool. That’s all.”

Could a chance ride and some funky nails be the seeds of romance?

29 Bus – Sunset/SFSU – m4w – 22 (sunset / parkside)

“I see you on the 29 bus a few times a week, both in the morning on the way to SFSU and in the afternoon on the way home. More often than not, the bus is crowded and we end up at opposite ends, so I figure this is the most convenient option for the time being, since it doesn’t require me yelling over the heads of fellow muni riders at you, a girl I’ve yet to meet. I’m not sure we’ll ever talk, but you’re almost excessively cute and catch my eye every time we ride.

Here’s to seeing you tomorrow!”

College love. Charming.

On the Muni with my bike and 2 friends. You are the gorgeous redhead. – m4w – 26 (We got off at Steiner)

“You got on the bus, I forget where, I had 2 of my buddies with me, and we all had bikes. I saw your friend, who I thought was cute, then I saw you. I normally am not attracted to redheads, but you are gorgeous. Perfect face and beautiful hair. Cute style, and red painted toenails with white snowflakes or stars? lol not sure. I looked up at you a couple times, and we made eye contact, but just felt weird that you were with your friend and I was with mine. Then as I was getting off the bus you definitely gave me an amazing smile through the bus windows. Doubt you will read this, but you are amazingly beautiful. So if you do. I’m Shaun. Tell me what I was wearing and what I looked like.”

A night of browsing for Muni Missed Connections simultaneously makes me believe in both chance encounters and total wastes of time. It’s the romantic/cynic in me.

If you’ve spotted a hottie, attainable or not, on Muni lately, let us know.

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Muni with Ambiance

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I don’t know about you, but my mood is easily influenced by my surroundings. Examples of bad ambiance that puts a damper on my mood: unflattering fluorescent lighting, questionable aromas, uncomfortable seating…sounds a little like our favorite transit system, huh? Well, looks like I’m not the only one wishing for a little something extra from our buses. Rider Casgal wrote to ask: “What do you think about a test bus with softer lighting? Still well-lit, but more rosy, maybe people would ease up a bit. Virgin airlines uses color to make flights more enjoyable, maybe better lighting could help our city buses?”

Brilliant idea, Casgal. I am thinking a bus that harkens back to the days of the Orient Express: soft amber glow of gas lamps, plush velvet overstuffed seats with a couple of down throw pillows). And just for fun, a dining car (the original Orient Express dining car offered oyster and chocolate cake). Hmm. One can only dream.

Better lighting, a softer mood, comfortable seats…the folks at Improv Everywhere had the same idea and turned a subway car in Prague into a living room.

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