Muni Diaries

A new documentary airing at Sundance and on The New York Times today chronicles the 22 VTA bus in San Jose, a 24-hour line that turns into an overnight refuge for the homeless. This unfortunate reality is something that San Franciscans know all too well, and we have even heard from long-time residents and drivers about homeless people riding public transit to keep warm. The documentary is powerful, even (or especially) without narration.

Filmmaker Elizabeth Lo is a student at Stanford and made the film about the bus route, which is known as “Hotel 22.” During the course of the evening, some of the riders get into an argument, and others mutter complaints, but the bus driver seemed unfazed and woke everyone up when they arrived in Palo Alto in the morning.

You can watch the documentary on The New York Times.

The Internet Age often has a way of making things work out. Talking more of justice than revenge.

Case in point: We recently told you about these questionable at least, terrible at best totally racist ads that had been popping up on Muni buses all over town. It’s not clear who’s behind the efforts, but according to The Mary Sue:

The ads now feature Kamala Khan, Marvel’s Comics first Muslim character to headline her own comic book with messages against islamophobia, racism and hate speech and a group of protestors calling for more love. Enjoy.

I don’t think I could love this any more than I do.

Scale of 1-10 (10 being puppies and kittens hugging): How awesome is this corrected ad? After all, if the inside of the Muni bus implores us to please love back, perhaps it behooves the outside of the bus to carry the same message.

h/t Muni rider Andy

Photo via Street Cred – Advertising for the People