Muni

Could rounds of Muni service cuts and fare hikes push more people to start cycling in San Francisco?

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.

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?

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.

According to eyewitness statements reported by the SF Weekly and the Chronicle, a 5-Fulton bus collided with a cyclist this morning on Market Street and the driver refused to stop, despite pleas by passengers to stay at the scene of the crash.

If today's MTA Board meeting was any indication, Muni's governing body has no appetite for additional service cuts, and charging for transfers is an idea dead on arrival.