Creep on the T-Third (update)

T-Third Street - Wings
Photo by Jamison Wieser

Update (3:01 p.m.): In the comments on this post, Stephanie says:
I sent a copy of this to the SFPD and this was their reply:
I printed your blog and gave it to the Captain to see what we can do. I recommend that a police report be made if you see this guy doing this again. If you call the police while on the bus, they can meet the bus and identify him.
Ofc. E. Teper
Bayview Police Station
201 Williams
San Francisco, CA 94124

Original post: Mel has a disturbing report from the eastside:

There is a total creep who gets on the T-Third line over by Ingleside. He preys on young girls who usually seem too scared to confront him, or aren’t even sure of the situation. I know, because he assumed I was one of those.

He will sit next to you in the cramped two-person seats. At some point he will move one of his arms to the side, like he’s reaching for something in his pocket. The only thing is, the arm stays in that awkward position, usually touching a young girl’s thigh or buttock for a really long time.

I know it seems silly, but when I experienced it, I honestly couldn’t be sure he was doing what I thought he was doing. I remember elbowing the guy, and he said he was “reaching for something in his pocket.” Yeah. No one “reaches” for 2 minutes ++.

The guy is really tall, maybe over 6 feet, and just an awkward-looking fellow. I don’t know if there’s anything mentally wrong with him, but his conduct is definitely wrong.

After he tried that on me, he actually kept using the same technique on other girls. I’ve caught him on two other occasions, and have called him out on it. Other than seeming like a crazy person by glaring or trying to warn these other would-be victims, I’m not sure how I can really prevent this from happening to other women.

Hey creepy dude, stop creeping people out, cuz you don’t wanna end up another Muni humper. If anyone else experienced this or any other creep on the T-Third or any other routes, let us know. We also advise you to contact the police, or at the very least, let the driver or SFMTA know about it.

Muni news: Fatal BART shooting, senior/disabled Muni/BART discount passes


Photo by Matt Roe

  • Cabbies And Muni Drivers United On Labor Conditions (CBS 5)
  • A more user-friendly Muni/BART pass for senior and disabled riders (SFGate)
  • BART police chief defends officers involved in Civic Center shooting (SF Examiner) || BART cops shoot, kill man at Civic Center Station (SF Examiner)
  • Transcript of July 4 news conference on officer involved shooting at Civic Center Station (BART.gov)
  • Clipper Card Updates: July 2011 Operations Committee (Akit’s Complaint Department)
  • Argument on Muni bus leads to stabbing of 17-year-old boy (SF Examiner)

Wanted: Muni advice for an out-of-towner

DOUBLE DECKER MUNI BUS
Photo by Lulu Vision*

British dude James sent us the most charming email the other day asking about standard procedures and etiquette on Muni. Oh, how we wish some of our fellow riders would be as considerate about etiquette as James. Here are some of James’s questions:

  • Do we pay when we get on? Or do we need to have pre-paid passes or something?
  • When we’re at a bus stop, do we need to put our hand out to catch it or does it always stop at every stop?
  • Is there a bell you ring to get off the bus?
  • What do I say to the driver when I get on? What’s the little phrase that people use? (for example, here in the UK, it’s usually “one to town, please” or something like that).
  • Do I get given a ticket? Do I need to keep hold of it?

A few things have changed since we did a “newbie orientation” last year. The SFMTA has a new customer guide, which addresses some of these questions in more detail but doesn’t really go into my favorite question from James: what you say to the driver when you get on?

We thought it more fitting to turn his inquiry over to you, the Muni-riding community. So whadaya say? Help a guy out.

* Pictured is one of the short-lived Muni double-decker buses, which, you know, is so … British.

Hot right now: Muni Simulator Game!

Reader and photographer Bhautik Joshi alerted us on Twitter to a German simulation game where you can be a Muni driver! The promotional clip above from the game maker comes with a grandiose soundtrack that seems more fitting for I Am Legend than driving Muni. At any rate, it sounds totally epic. While watching the promotional clip, I fully expected a herd of zombies to come out and attack the bus and the driver to save us all (always double-tap).

The game lets you simulate driving a bus (or streetcar or cable car) on spotless San Francisco streets. Sitting in the driver’s seat, you can operate your own bus, make your own schedule, “finish exciting missions and find hidden money.” You can also repair buses, make a pit stop for coffee, refuel the bus, and take the bus to a carwash.

The game is available for PC only right now. Our friends at Market Street Railway say that the game even features mysterious catacombs and a storage facility with a Milan tram.

Who knew that people found driving the bus in San Francisco so exciting? Think the game makers will be up for incorporating some of the stories on Muni Diaries into the game? I have a couple of choice stories that come to mind…

Tweaking the Muni Worm

San Francisco

Wait a minute, did SFMTA redesign the venerable Muni logo?

Nah, this is the work of Jeremiah, who used a little creative license and photoshop to spice up his photo of the side of a bus.

The Muni logo was originally designed by San Francisco-based graphic designer Walter Landor in the 1970s and adorns everything from old fast passes, a transit-inspired Nike shirt, feminist head gear, to a neck tattoo.

Where else have you spotted the worm?

Weekend Photos: Everyday America

MUNI 1776 PCC STREETCAR
Photo by Muni Better Late Than Never

Happy July 4, the bus says.
Three more things to do this weekend:

  • Prince versus Michael Jackson at Madrone (Muni 21, 24, 5, 6, 71, 22).
  • Streets of San Francisco photo show at Schroeder’s (1, 41, F, J,K, L, M, T, N).
  • Monday – fireworks along Pier 39!

  • Remember that Muni is on a Sunday schedule this Monday. If you’re along the Pier 39 area, check out reroutes and extra service for the fireworks celebration.

    Enjoy these photos and your long weekend.

    365 Joy / Day 172
    Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch

    Muni pirate
    Photo by Hugo Haas


    Photo by Claudine


    Photo by Justin Beck

    Expect Muni delays
    Photo by Lorcan Keating

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