Necessary Skills to Drive the 1AX-California

Leave a comment

IMG_7980
Photo by Tom Prete

Muni rider Susan wants to give her 1AX driver a high five. Here’s why.

My daily commute involves the 1AX. I realized that one of the drivers in the mornings (my stop at 7:45 a.m.!) is awesome! Her number is 1619. She always announces that “this is the last stop till downtown.” Regular riders are always amazed at how many people don’t get this concept, and that usually prevents a mid-express route stop to let the lost soul off.

She also has a great skill at driving the bus; she doesn’t feel the need to speed up, then jam on the brakes, sending all of the standees flying (a skill that would be good to teach most of the other 1AX drivers!).

A few months ago, to try to balance all my negative reports to Muni, I sent in a compliment about her, and printed out a copy to hand to her in case the Muni computer eats the compliments the way they seem to eat the complaints. She was really suprised to read that compliment, and now I always get greeted with a big smile.

THANK YOU #1619! You are a wonderful example of how Muni could be.

Ah, daydreaming now of “what Muni could be.” If you have more examples of exceptional Muni operators, let us know.

Category: Funny: Muni LOLs

Update: Semi vs. Muni — Were You There?

6 comments


Photo by @mikepreuss

Update (2:17 p.m.): More from our eyewitness and picture-taker: these vehicles were definitely touching and not moving at the time this photo was snapped, he says. Geographic location — and a commenter below — indicates that something’s directionally amiss. Still wondering what happened if anyone knows.

Rider @mikepreuss witnessed an accident between the 30-Stockton and a semi a little after midnight Friday morning. This looks to be around Chestnut and Pierce. Were you on this bus or near the scene? Let us know what you saw. Hope everyone was okay.

Category: News Tags:

BREAKING NEWS: Kenneth Harding possibly died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds (update)

4 comments

Update (4:46 p.m.): From SFGate: “Based on the findings of the medical examiner, at this time we believe he was fatally wounded by a .380-caliber bullet,” [SFPD Commander Mike] Biel told reporters this afternoon. “We believe the fatal wound to Mr. Harding’s body was self-inflicted.”

Original post: The victim of last Saturday’s Bayview killing, Kenneth Harding, possibly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound according to the San Francisco Medical Examiner. SF Appeal (via BCN) has the story.

It was originally reported that SFPD fired on Harding after he fired at them. The altercation took place following a fare inspection that Harding fled from.

We’ll update here as we learn more.

Category: News

So, You Think You Can Plank?

One comment

Icing is so 2010. The cool kids this year are all about planking. They’re planking on Muni. And they’re planking on Caltrain, as captured by rider and Twitter user Scott Brown (above).

BART riders, it’s totally understandable that some of you might not want to plank, due to that whole fecal matter on the seats thing. But others, we know you’re out there and just waiting to horizontally strut your stuff for the camera.

Riders of Muni, BART, and Caltrain, we’re issuing you a challenge: Email us your planking photos to us. We’ll post them next week and crown one lucky transit system the best for planking.

Now, go forth and Plank!

Category: BART, Caltrain, diaries

Hey Kids, Tell SFMTA What You Think

Leave a comment

Baltimore in the FiDi
Photo by Franciscophile

We got word from the interns at SFMTA that they are conducting a research survey for people age 18 and up on their experience and opinion about transitioning to adult fares.

My memories of paying for youth prices for anything has faded far back in the recess of my mind, but if you are a young person who just started paying adult fare, or if you just have something to say about Muni (and we know you always do), you can give SFMTA a piece of your mind.

The deadline for the survey is Tuesday, July 26. The survey is anonymous and the interns promise it takes less than two minutes to complete.

Take the SFMTA summer survey.

Category: News

Filling Nat Ford’s Bruno Maglis

3 comments

10545 SFDPW Director Ed Reiskin
Photo by SFBC Operations

Current Public Works Director Ed Reiskin is the new executive director of SFMTA, the agency that oversees Muni. Reiskin steps into the job recently vacated by the infamous Nat Ford, everyone’s favorite Muni punching bag. We’re not envious of the task ahead for Reiskin, but what we’ve read about him bodes well.

Here’s what Streetsblog SF has to say about Ed:

Reiskin, a bicyclist and Muni rider who is widely respected by his staff, supervisors and transit advocates, was first appointed to head the SFDPW in 2008 by former Mayor Gavin Newsom, and current Mayor Ed Lee, who was city administrator.

Did you catch that? Dude actually rides Muni. Wise people held this as a prime criteria for the next Muni director.

Other coverage of Reiskin: Examiner, SF Weekly, SFGate, SF Appeal.

What do you think? Are you pleased with this pick for the next Muni chief?

Category: News
1 … 523 524 525 526 527 … 801