Comments on: Bus Rapid Transit, the Geary Blvd. Solution http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/ Join the Debate! Read and comment on articles posted on actlocallysf.org. Fri, 16 May 2008 18:55:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.0 by: Benjamin King http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-63 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:21:12 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-63 I ride the bus from Presidio Ave every day to and from work, but rarely ride the 38 due to over-crowding. I'm not worried about getting downtown quickly, so I usually opt for the 2 or 4. I think the main Geary problem can be solved simply with more busses. Who wants to get on a bus only to squeeze in between dozens of people with laptops and purses? Or better yet, wait 20 minutes while 2 busses filled to capacity roll on by? If I lived in the Richmond I would probably drive rather than ride.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 7</li> </ul> I ride the bus from Presidio Ave every day to and from work, but rarely ride the 38 due to over-crowding. I’m not worried about getting downtown quickly, so I usually opt for the 2 or 4. I think the main Geary problem can be solved simply with more busses. Who wants to get on a bus only to squeeze in between dozens of people with laptops and purses? Or better yet, wait 20 minutes while 2 busses filled to capacity roll on by? If I lived in the Richmond I would probably drive rather than ride.
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]]> by: Tim Trautmann http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-62 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:55:08 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-62 BRT is the right choice for the Geary and Van Ness corridors. While the fears of conservative merchants are understandeable, I strongly believe that convenient public transit into the Richmond will bring overall positive results to both merchants and residents. An efficient, fast, punctual and frequently running BRT will give residents a real alternative to automobile travel and thus reduce traffic volume on Geary and Van Ness. A BRT will also give citizens from other neighborhoods a reason to come to the Richmond for shopping, dining and entertainment. (Have you ever tried to find parking on Clement on a Thursday or Friday night? Close to impossible). A BRT would give more people access to the Richmond, not less. For those arguing that a BRT uses more energy and pollutes more. Compared to what? Single occupancy automobile traffic? If the buses are run on an alternative fuel such as Bio Diesel they can be highly efficient and environmentally friendly.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 10</li> </ul> BRT is the right choice for the Geary and Van Ness corridors. While the fears of conservative merchants are understandeable, I strongly believe that convenient public transit into the Richmond will bring overall positive results to both merchants and residents.

An efficient, fast, punctual and frequently running BRT will give residents a real alternative to automobile travel and thus reduce traffic volume on Geary and Van Ness.

A BRT will also give citizens from other neighborhoods a reason to come to the Richmond for shopping, dining and entertainment. (Have you ever tried to find parking on Clement on a Thursday or Friday night? Close to impossible). A BRT would give more people access to the Richmond, not less.

For those arguing that a BRT uses more energy and pollutes more. Compared to what? Single occupancy automobile traffic? If the buses are run on an alternative fuel such as Bio Diesel they can be highly efficient and environmentally friendly.

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]]> by: Trent Wood http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-61 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:40:57 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-61 I've ridden a similar system in Bogota, Colombia and the service is excellent. At peak traffic hours the busses are faster than cars. This is a very important point. When public transportation is as fast or faster than cars people will be more inclined to take the bus or train. You can try to convince people of the environmental benefits of public transportation but unless the service is truly competitive people will continue to use cars. Parking is not easy on Geary. Cars are constantly double-parked (further disturbing traffic flow). Having fast and convenient public transportation to this area might encourage more people to go there to do their shopping and at the same time reduce traffic and greenhouse gasses.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 10</li> </ul> I’ve ridden a similar system in Bogota, Colombia and the service is excellent. At peak traffic hours the busses are faster than cars. This is a very important point. When public transportation is as fast or faster than cars people will be more inclined to take the bus or train. You can try to convince people of the environmental benefits of public transportation but unless the service is truly competitive people will continue to use cars.

Parking is not easy on Geary. Cars are constantly double-parked (further disturbing traffic flow). Having fast and convenient public transportation to this area might encourage more people to go there to do their shopping and at the same time reduce traffic and greenhouse gasses.

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]]> by: Shlomo Cohen http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-60 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:08:51 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-60 I believ that the Geary Street Bus way in the beginning for improving Public Transportation in SF. The next stage is to improve the light rail system in the city and increase accessablity throughout the city.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> I believ that the Geary Street Bus way in the beginning for improving Public Transportation in SF. The next stage is to improve the light rail system in the city and increase accessablity throughout the city.
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]]> by: TED BEKEFI http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-59 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:59:35 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-59 The BRT will not help much at all, because it is subject to all the worsening traffic problems. If the passengers had to cross a traffic lane to get to the bus island that would be havoc. Imagine 200 school kids blocking traffic while trying to board the bus. A train with it's own right of way and fewer stops, such as a subway, is one answer. A elevated or monorail, as used in all the airports would make more room for autos on the street below. As I look at all the empty water around San Francisco I would like to see ferries that take you from the Presidio to The Ferry Building in 10 minutes. How much more refreshing than a bus making 40 stops, a dream yes, but so was the GG Bridge once.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> The BRT will not help much at all, because it is subject to all the worsening traffic problems. If the passengers had to cross a traffic lane to get to the bus island that would be havoc. Imagine 200 school kids blocking traffic while trying to board the bus. A train with it’s own right of way and fewer stops, such as a subway, is one answer. A elevated or monorail, as used in all the airports would make more room for autos on the street below. As I look at all the empty water around San Francisco I would like to see ferries that take you from the Presidio to The Ferry Building in 10 minutes. How much more refreshing than a bus making 40 stops, a dream yes, but so was the GG Bridge once.
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]]> by: Leeman Now http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-56 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:20:02 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-56 I suggest people who don't agree with improving MUNI to travel to other cities around the world. I recently went to Taiwan and Hong Kong, two cities with world class transit systems that make MUNI look like very sad. I think the BRT is a step in the right direction but would be more useful if it was combined with a free fare for MUNI light rail cars. That would encourage more people to use mass transit, something the City needs.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> I suggest people who don’t agree with improving MUNI to travel to other cities around the world. I recently went to Taiwan and Hong Kong, two cities with world class transit systems that make MUNI look like very sad. I think the BRT is a step in the right direction but would be more useful if it was combined with a free fare for MUNI light rail cars. That would encourage more people to use mass transit, something the City needs.
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]]> by: Jason Rhein http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-54 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:36:10 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-54 By the way if the bus in the picture is what they're actually going to use on the Geary and Van Ness BRTs we have to start thinking about the serious eye sore they pose. I remember seeing busses that looked similarly ridiculous in Los Angeles. I laughed and took pictures of them to show my friends back home. The current look of MUNI busses is fine - boxy, but functional - none of these ridiculous curved swoops and hideous nonsense. IT'S STILL A BUS and it will always be a bus no matter how much ridiculous crap you put on it. This may not be the major concern, but it IS important.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> By the way if the bus in the picture is what they’re actually going to use on the Geary and Van Ness BRTs we have to start thinking about the serious eye sore they pose. I remember seeing busses that looked similarly ridiculous in Los Angeles. I laughed and took pictures of them to show my friends back home. The current look of MUNI busses is fine - boxy, but functional - none of these ridiculous curved swoops and hideous nonsense. IT’S STILL A BUS and it will always be a bus no matter how much ridiculous crap you put on it. This may not be the major concern, but it IS important.
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]]> by: Jason Rhein http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-53 Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:30:51 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-53 Geary BRT is a great idea... as a bandaid until rail.. UNDERGROUND rail can be achieved. For such a liberal city we're so afraid of any change. We need to suck it up, spend the money and change for the better immediately. This will cost billions, will inconvenience businesses and residents for short periods of time, but the payoff is worth it. BRT costs less because it's worth less. Spend the money and do it right.. subway down Geary and Van Ness corridors, extend upcoming Central Subway to Columbus, and then all the way up Columbus. Geary subway should terminate at the new transbay terminal. Geary BRT does not address the bottleneck downtown. We are the second most densely populated city in the US with halfway decent public transit. No more excuses. These projects all should've been done 10 years ago. They need to start construction YESTERDAY. Help pay for some of it by charging a toll to vehicles entering the city and increasing parking rates. (I say this as a downtown resident who drives and pays a lot of money to park in the city... these increases would affect me dramatically). DO IT NOW! We need it yesterday. All of these plans for 20 years out do NOTHING for residents now. Geary and Van Ness BRT for now as a short term BANDAID. Geary and Van Ness Subway as the goal... START NOW! P.S. I know this will never happen because this city is full of so many crybabies from both political extremes. "It costs too much" "it hurts businesses" SUCK IT UP AND DO IT!!!!<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> Geary BRT is a great idea… as a bandaid until rail.. UNDERGROUND rail can be achieved. For such a liberal city we’re so afraid of any change. We need to suck it up, spend the money and change for the better immediately. This will cost billions, will inconvenience businesses and residents for short periods of time, but the payoff is worth it. BRT costs less because it’s worth less. Spend the money and do it right.. subway down Geary and Van Ness corridors, extend upcoming Central Subway to Columbus, and then all the way up Columbus. Geary subway should terminate at the new transbay terminal. Geary BRT does not address the bottleneck downtown. We are the second most densely populated city in the US with halfway decent public transit. No more excuses. These projects all should’ve been done 10 years ago. They need to start construction YESTERDAY. Help pay for some of it by charging a toll to vehicles entering the city and increasing parking rates. (I say this as a downtown resident who drives and pays a lot of money to park in the city… these increases would affect me dramatically). DO IT NOW! We need it yesterday. All of these plans for 20 years out do NOTHING for residents now. Geary and Van Ness BRT for now as a short term BANDAID. Geary and Van Ness Subway as the goal… START NOW! P.S. I know this will never happen because this city is full of so many crybabies from both political extremes. “It costs too much” “it hurts businesses” SUCK IT UP AND DO IT!!!!
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]]> by: Jo Lynne Lockley http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-43 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:01:55 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-43 It is time that San Francisco stepped back to consider a total plan rather than putting together piecemeal solutions which will not solve more than a local issue. This solution seems particularly ill considered, since while it will improve the Geary access for those in the neighborhood, it will make the corridor inaccessible for anyone who lives West of Twin Peaks, in the Mission or at any other location not directly connected to the corridor. It's sexy, but then so is Paris Hilton. A well thought out master plan would include: 1) correction of the failure of Muni to meet the current schedules and to set minimal standards for driver comportm4ent. 2) addressing the comfort level of all waiting passengers. Forest Hill is a wind tunnel with one concrete slab for seating. The "shelters" provide no protection from wind or weather, but are attractive to vandals. 3) Providing a GPS driven LED system which would allow passengers to see the approximate wait times for coming buses. See any European city for an example. 4) Reviewing the net to see how all neighborhoods can be provided with frequent pickup. Some lines running over half an hour in theory may actually take one or more hours to arrive. 5) Consideration of various mainline bus alternatives. Smaller buses, jitneys, people movers, shuttles to central points. See again any Latin American or European City for ideas. 6) Think tunnel. As a West of Twin Peaks dweller I can guarantee that I would no longer frequent Geary for my needs, which until now have included all of my business technical requirements. Fortunately internet resources would be easier in the long run.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 1</li> </ul> It is time that San Francisco stepped back to consider a total plan rather than putting together piecemeal solutions which will not solve more than a local issue.
This solution seems particularly ill considered, since while it will improve the Geary access for those in the neighborhood, it will make the corridor inaccessible for anyone who lives West of Twin Peaks, in the Mission or at any other location not directly connected to the corridor. It’s sexy, but then so is Paris Hilton.
A well thought out master plan would include:
1) correction of the failure of Muni to meet the current schedules and to set minimal standards for driver comportm4ent.
2) addressing the comfort level of all waiting passengers. Forest Hill is a wind tunnel with one concrete slab for seating. The “shelters” provide no protection from wind or weather, but are attractive to vandals.
3) Providing a GPS driven LED system which would allow passengers to see the approximate wait times for coming buses. See any European city for an example.
4) Reviewing the net to see how all neighborhoods can be provided with frequent pickup. Some lines running over half an hour in theory may actually take one or more hours to arrive.
5) Consideration of various mainline bus alternatives. Smaller buses, jitneys, people movers, shuttles to central points. See again any Latin American or European City for ideas.
6) Think tunnel.

As a West of Twin Peaks dweller I can guarantee that I would no longer frequent Geary for my needs, which until now have included all of my business technical requirements. Fortunately internet resources would be easier in the long run.

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]]> by: Anthony Lazarus http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-42 Mon, 05 Mar 2007 22:25:15 +0000 http://actlocallysf.org/blog/topic/2007/02/22/bus-rapid-transit-the-geary-blvd-solution/#comment-42 one thing i'd like to add to this lively exchange is that preserving the status quo for a few doesn't justify mediocrity overall, which is what we have for transit on Geary. with more cars on the road, the bus is slowing down and must be separated from traffic, parking and pedestrians. doing nothing is the worst possible outcome for riders, residents and local businesses in the Richmond.<ul><li><label>Overall Rating</label>: 10</li> </ul> one thing i’d like to add to this lively exchange is that preserving the status quo for a few doesn’t justify mediocrity overall, which is what we have for transit on Geary.

with more cars on the road, the bus is slowing down and must be separated from traffic, parking and pedestrians. doing nothing is the worst possible outcome for riders, residents and local businesses in the Richmond.

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