San Francisco Muni
San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni as it is commonly called, is the organization that runs the city’s public transportation system. You can use one interchangeable pass – Muni Passport – to travel on Muni buses, Muni Metro streetcars (electric trams) and the three cable car lines, which are mainly used by tourists. Buses and streetcars serve most tourist attractions and all neighborhoods. Armed with the bus and streetcar map on the inside back cover, and a Muni Passport, you can use the city’s public transportation all day at a fraction of the cost of private rentals and parking fees.
FARES AND TICKETS
Buses and streetcars both cost $2 per ride. When paying your fare, you can request a free transfer, which will allow you to change to another bus or streetcar without paying an additional fare. The transfer is valid for 90 minutes. Reduced fares are available for senior citizens aged over 65 and children (five to 17 years). There is no extra charge for express or limited stop services.
If you are planning to make a number of trips by Muni, a Muni Passport, valid for one, three or seven days, allows unlimited travel on buses, streetcars and cable cars for the duration specified. Muni Passports are available from the information booths near the baggage reclaim areas at San Francisco International Airport. They can also be purchased from the information kiosk at the
Visitor Information Center outside the Powell Street BART/Metro station, and at the cable car ticket booths at Powell & Market streets and Hyde & Beach streets. You can also buy tokens that offer a saving of 20 percent off the standard fare.
USING BUSES
Buses stop only at designated bus stops, every two or three blocks. On boarding, put the exact change or tokens in the fare box, or show your Muni Passport to the driver. Ask your driver to let you know when you are near your destination. Senior citizens and disabled passengers have priority at the front of the bus, so be prepared to give up your seat.
Smoking, drinking, eating, and playing music are prohibited on buses. Guide dogs for the blind can ride for free at any time; other animals may be allowed to ride on Muni vehicles at certain times of day, at the driver’s discretion.
To indicate that you want to get off at the next stop, pull the cord that runs along the windows.
The “Stop Requested” sign above the front window will light up. Instructions about how to open the doors are posted near the exit. Look carefully for oncoming traffic when alighting from the bus; some stops are located at islands in the middle of the street so be particularly cautious at these stops.
The route number and name of the destination are shown on the front and side of every bus, near the front door. Route numbers that are followed by a letter (L, X, AX, BX, etc.) are either express services or make limited stops. Ask the driver if you are not sure where the bus stops. Several lines offer a Night Owl Service from midnight to 6am, but taxis are considered the safest means of getting around town after dark.
BUS STOPS
Bus stops are indicated by signs displaying the Muni logo or by yellow bands on poles. Bus shelters are usually three-sided with glass walls. Route numbers of buses that stop there are listed below the sign and on the exterior wall of the shelter. Route maps and service frequency guides are posted inside most bus shelters, and many are equipped with pay phones.
USING STREETCARS
In the city center, streetcars operate both above and below ground, whereas in outer neighborhoods, they run at street level only. Streetcar lines J (Church), K (Ingleside), L (Taraval), M (Ocean View), N (Judah), and T (Third) all share the same tracks, which run beneath Market Street. So if you intend to catch a streetcar at a Market Street station, it is a good idea to check the letter and name of the one you are about to board to avoid taking the wrong line.
Along Market Street, four of the seven underground stations are shared by both Muni Metro streetcars and BART. Orange, yellow and white illuminated signs mark the entrances.
Historic streetcar near Fisherman’s Wharf
In the station, look for the separate “Muni” entrance. Pay or show a Muni Passport, then proceed downstairs to the platform. To go west, choose “Outbound,” to go east, choose “Downtown.”
Electronic signs show which streetcar is about to arrive. Doors open automatically to allow passengers to enter. In the event they don’t open at a street-level or low-level platform stop, push on the low bar beside the exit.
Stops above ground are indicated by an orange-and-brown metal flag, or by a yellow band around a pole, marked “Muni” or “Car Stop.”
Lines J, K, L, M, N, and T all use new Breda cars, which have distinctive silver and red cars. Streetcars are also known as Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs).
SIGHTSEEING BY BUS/STREETCAR
Popular routes for visitors include 30, 38, 39, 45 47, Market and Wharves historic streetcar line. Route 38 runs to the hills above Ocean Beach, and Golden Gate Park is on route No. 21. More information is available from Muni or the city’s Visitor Information Center.
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