Truth is is that a fully privatized system (like London) would make MUNI very expensive (last time I checked a daily travel card was about 8.40L or about 16 bucks). First Capital Connect makes all the money, yet still puts London taxpayers on the hook for maintaining the tracks.

A dedicated police force made sense in the violent 70′s but I think SFPD should earn its ridiculous work order money and ride the bus.

If the system were privatized, all 3 lines would have been long gone.

Privatizing would at least put the system under much more of a pressure to perform and to take RESPONSIBILITY. I don’t like the lawsuit culture, but the potential for litigation and without an easy way to get bailed out by the city, I imagine safety would dramatically increase. Cameras would suddenly start working, operators would suddenly start reacting to incidents on the bus. At the same time the system would take serious steps to end fare jumping, as no private entity likes to give away money. Muni operators would have to make do with this thing called accountability (as they have close to zero right now) and could get away with way less acting out.

All that said, privatization is a complex issue and I hesitate to come down in favor of either side.

All I have to really say about Muni is that while as a livability advocate it pains me to say this, but I truthfully really and absolutely despise Muni and I’m thankful every day that I don’t have to rely on it. This filthy monstrosity it is a farce at best and a dangerous proposition at worst where you can get stabbed for your cellphone – note, I live in Ingleside, where 3 of the top 5 lines in the chart have most of their “incidents” happen. I encourage all of you to come down to our area and ride the bus for a little to see the REAL state Muni is in.

It does seem that MUNI security is a huge problem and the SFPD has neither the will nor the resources to deal with it. I ride MUNI everyday and certainly I would feel safer knowing there was a full time, dedicated security service available. Even if they didn’t ride every bus just having someone the operator could call would be a huge help.

I’m not sure how much waste really exsists but the operators must be trained to understand that their’s is a customer service position and the passengers are their whole reason for being.

Major thoroughfares such as Geary need to have dedicated bus lanes.

Railed systems are inefficient and wasteful, they are too difficult to re-route and when one train goes down it affects the entire system.

MUNI needs to update it’s busses. Given the amount of abuse these buses are subjected to it really is amazing that they run as well as they do, but really, would it be too difficult to make a comfortable bus?

Finally, the whole problem comes down to economy of scale. The nine bay area counties should combine into one mass transit system so that you can ride from Sonoma to Gilroy without changing systems. The cash infusion would allow for a decent and deciated police force, shifting of resources where needed and local control that would allow citizens sufficient input to control “their” transit systems.

As I understand it, an MOU has a mandatory expiration date (with the option of either extending the agreement or letting it expire). Is this just a 3 month PR stunt or is the City serious about making MUNI safe?