Michael Rhodes

A ten-percent increase in the commercial off-street parking tax, from 25 percent to 35 percent of gross receipts, could bring in $20 million for Muni and reduce congestion by nudging downtown commuters towards transit, all without requiring any statewide legislative changes. But the proposal faces an uphill battle: A recent poll showed just 38 percent of respondents support even a 5 percent increase in the tax, and a similar measure gained even less support in 2006.

Elsbernd Files Muni Operator Salary Amendment, Starts Gathering Signatures (SF Examiner, SF Gate) Muni Operator Responds to Criticisms Directly on Muni Diaries Immigrants Say Muni Fare Inspectors Harass Them (Mission Loc@l) Mona Caron Mural a “Symbol of Tenderloin Transformation and Renewal” (Fog City Journal) Valencia Streetscape Work Delayed by Bad Weather (Mission Loc@l) More Pedal-Powered … Continued

The Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on legislation that would limit new garages in Chinatown, North Beach and Telegraph Hill.

One lesson from Saturday's Save Muni Summit and from MTA Board hearings jam-packed with Muni supporters in the past two weeks is that Muni riders are not an apathetic bunch. But if riders are willing to go to City Hall and to grassroots meetings, why isn't there already a politically powerful transit constituency in San Francisco?

It’s Sunday Streets time! Check out the first Sunday Streets route of the year, plus a town hall meeting on next year’s Muni budget. Here are the week’s highlights: Tuesday: SPUR Lunchtime Forum: Vacant lots: ideas for temporary use. Join for a discussion moderated by The Chronicle’s John King on how to activate some of … Continued

About 100 transit supporters gathered for a summit at the Women's Building this morning to discuss Muni's future, settle on issues that have broad support, and build a movement to lobby for a better Municipal Railway.

Could the bleakest budget in the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's history force its directors to finally get creative in funding Muni?

Transit supporters and representatives from over 60 organizations from across the city will gather tomorrow to discuss Muni's future, and try to identify solutions and strategies to improve the city's transit system and help it survive the current budget crisis.

Last minute legislation to send some State Transit Assistance (STA) funds back to local transit agencies could prove a huge boon for Muni if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approves it.

More on Crash Involving Cyclist and Muni Bus Driver Who Didn’t Stop (The Snitch, SF Gate) Political Consultant Eric Jaye Says Muni Operators Union Never Actually Hired Him (The Snitch) Poll Finds Majority of Voters Support Increased Vehicle License Fee (City Insider) SFPD Begins New Pedestrian Safety Program (KCBS) Park Station Officers Cite Motorists in … Continued