Studies have shown that, in some cities, as much as 30 percent of city traffic is caused by drivers circling for parking. This extra traffic slows our buses to a crawl and pollutes the air. Even worse, some drivers give up and double-park, completely blocking transit routes, not to mention emergency vehicles. The drivers who continue to circle, ever more frustrated and distracted, run the risk of hitting a walker or cyclist.

SFPark is a new program that uses technology to solve these problems. For a video animation on how SFPark works, visit http://sfpark.org/about-the-project/

At the upcoming meeting, SFTRU members will vote on whether to endorse the Mission Bay and 17th & Folsom expansion of SFPark, already endorsed by Livable City and the SF Bike Coalition. Read more about the Mission Bay proposal at http://sfpark.org/resources/mission-bay-parking-management-strategy/ and the 17th & Folsom proposal at http://sfpark.org/resources/17th-and-folsom-parking-management-strategy/

We are a new but growing organization, and we hope you can attend Monday’s meeting to help us advocate for better transit in San Francisco. If you can’t attend, you may also support our advocacy by making a donation or becoming a member. However you help out, we really appreciate your support.

SFTRU Meeting Information

Date: Monday, January 23, 2012
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Location: First Christian Church
Address: 599 Duboce Ave (at Noe)
Map: http://goo.gl/IYeI2
Transit Lines within One Block: N, 24, 37
Other nearby transit: F, J, K, L, M, T, 6, 22, 71.
Plan your trip: www.511.org

Member Meetings for 2012

• February 27
• March 26
• April 23
• May 28
• June 25
• July 23
• August 27
• September 24
• October 22
• November 26
• December 17

Location: Cafe Flore

Address: 2298 Market Street (at Noe)

Map : http://g.co/maps/6nbjy

Transit lines within one block: K, L, M, T, F, 24, 35, 37

Other nearby transit: J, N, 22, 33

Plan your trip: www.511.org

(Left to Right) Peggy de Silva, Christina Castro, Rob Boden, Thea Shelby, and Henry Pan

At Monday night’s board meeting we voted on our 1st Board of Directors! We are all pretty excited that the organization is moving forward to represent Muni riders.

Time: 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Location: San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) (NEW LOCATION)

Address: 100 Van Ness Ave, 26th Floor, Staff Conference Room (Note that the Better Market Street CAC will be holding a meeting on the same floor)

     Map: http://g.co/maps/jyuyu

     Transit lines within one block: J, K, L, M, N, T, F, 47, 49, 21

     Other nearby transit: 19, BART

     Plan your trip: www.511.org

SFCTA to Present on Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Monday’s meeting will include a presentation by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority on the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project. Van Ness BRT, which has been endorsed by SFTRU, will bring better transit service to Van Ness Avenue, as well as expand the rapid transit network in San Francisco. The agency has just released the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the project, and the public is welcome to submit comments. More information on the project and on submitting comments: http://www.sfcta.org/content/view/306/152

Becoming a Candidate

• The deadline for nominations is this Sunday, November 13, 2011, 11:59 PM PST.
• To nominate yourself or someone you know, please contact the current Executive Committee at executiveboard@sftru.org.
• Candidates are encouraged to submit a statement on their candidacy, which we will include in a voter guide. The statement shall be no longer than 200 words, and it must be provided no later than the deadline above. Submit the statement to the current Executive Committee at executiveboard@sftru.org.

Board membership includes attendance requirements, and Board members are expected to attend a monthly Board meeting, as well as additional meetings if urgent circumstances arise (possibly in person or by phone). If a Board member does not attend at least four of every six consecutive, properly noticed, regular Executive Board meetings, her or his tenure on the Board must be reviewed by the Board and is subject to revocation.

Election Date and Time

November Member Meeting
Monday, November 28, 6 to 7:45 p.m.
San Francisco County Transportation Authority, 100 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco

Candidates may compete in the election even if they are not able to attend the November 28 meeting so long as they follow the nomination procedures.

Click Here to read more.

Please check back later this week when we post Our Mayoral Muni Questionnaire! See what the candidates really think about Muni!

Introduction:

Why should I run? At the time, no progressive was running for mayor and the country needs the Green Party now more than ever. We need to open the dialogue on the left.  I am devoted to using transit.

My transit plan will focus on reducing the use of cars and promote transit. I have lived in places without private cars. I’ve time spent waiting at bus stops like most people. Muni is worth fixing.  I think buses should run every 10 minutes. We need to get Private autos off road so transit can flow smoothly. We should use art to make things palatable; “Make MUNI magnificent” by decorating bus shelters and stations to make MUNI an attraction for folks to enjoy/use (as Stockholm, Moscow have done).

There’s no need to trash MUNI drivers as has been done in the last years. Work rules may need to be changed, but drivers need respect. There needs to be bike paths with physical barriers between car & bike traffic (similar to European models). I am very interested in looking at successful transit models.

Question: How do we pay for this?

Different things! We should create a downtown assessment district, a municipal bank so San Francisco pension funds could invested in an SF bank and interest is diverted to SF (similar to the Bank of North Dakota). “Tax the Rich” at pre-Reagan tax era levels. Increase the income tax at municipal level to counteract  lower state and federal dollars. There is lots of wealth to be taxed. And finally reform Prop. 13.

Question: Getting rid of private cars – how would you change the system so the real costs of driving are passed on to drivers/car owners?

A gas tax. We should tax ourselves. [Getting rid of free parking was suggested by a member.]

Question: Would you be in favor of extending the SFPark program to the evenings/weekends? A Variable rate?

Yes but there has to be a leader that can realistically carry out this vision in the context of a humane and sustainable 21^st Century. A leader who WILL carry out the program and be able to explain it to people so they understand.

Question: Is it possible to get MUNI running every 10 minutes; reliably?

Yes, sure. We have that. Timetables existed before and can again.

Question: What are the qualifications the next SFMTA CEO should have?

Any candidate has to have successfully run a system. He/she needs to have the ability to really listen to the constituents, and have the ability to stay calm.

Question:  What do you see as one of the biggest issues you’d like MUNI to tackle?

I am against the Central Subway. It is very disastrous. It doesn’t make any sense that it does not connect with Market Street MUNI or BART stations. There are maintenance concerns as well. It is the most expensive subway mile per mile in the history of the US. (we could not verify this point) There are problems on Stockton Street that can be solved in other ways. It could possibly lead to gentrification of Chinatown. I urge SFTRU to take a position on the Central Subway.

Question:  What alternatives do you see for Stockton Street?

I see lots of little fixes: eliminate parking for private cars, only delivery trucks should be able to park, create a dedicated bus lane and timed lights.

Introductory Comments

The good news—SFMTA has the Transit Effectiveness Project. For the first time, we have many solutions documented in one plan. The bad news—it’s going to take nine years to implement it. Does it make sense to take nine years? Is it going to take nine years to take away bus stops? Is it going to take nine years to make sure traffic lights are timed correctly? Doesn’t seem like it will take nine years.

It isn’t going to take nine years to negotiate contract with drivers. Want to make sure they have a fair contract, but also one that allows us as citizens to make sure adequate performance—overtime, cost. So many things we could be doing.

So many of them, and they’re all interrelated. We need to speed up Muni, which will make it more reliable. Increasing its speed from 8 to 10 mph saves $40 million for Muni. I was just at a town hall and asked, “If you had to walk two more blocks to make Muni faster, would you do it?” Half said yes, half said no. Another candidate said people were angry and pissed. Of course people are going to be upset. If you do change, people are upset. But we have to sell it right—what would you give up for your bus would come on time, for your bus to get you where you need to go 5 mins faster.

The great news is that we have a blueprint, the TEP. I was reading Dave Snyder’s article from SPUR newsletter from 3 years ago about the TEP.

We need leadership. I have a track record. Since I’ve taken over the Assessor’s Office, it has little by little transformed. I brought in $300 million over budget. One reason–accountability goes both ways. Staff understood what the job was. I turned around what was considered one of worst departments in the City. Didn’t do it by firing and rehiring; I know how to get things done.

Question: Congestion affects Muni, and development can cause congestion. In some parts of the City, an increase in housing units requires a minimum of one parking space per unit. Other organizations have supported a policy of 0.5 parking spaces per unit; are you willing to do that?

I was an early adopter of the Housing Action Coalition, which would approve plans with community members. We pushed back on how much parking was required. We can add bike parking and City Car Share. Doesn’t make sense to have a one-to-one parking ratio in major transit corridors.

One option is allowing people to sell their spaces. If someone doesn’t want to have a car, we should give them the opportunity to get rid of their parking space. They’ll get money, lower their property tax assessment, and help someone else who needs the space.

Part of this is to incentivize transit in transit corridors. If you talk about going higher density along Geary, Noriega, Taraval, Judah, etc., those are tough conversations.

Question: Developers say they want to build parking; they claim it allows them to sell the units for more. What would you say to these developers?

We have to create the right incentives. How much do you think developers would give up if their permits could move faster? The uncertainty of the slow permit process is money—$100,000s to millions of dollars. They’re floating the cost, which gets passed to us. They would trade parking or increased density for that certainty that their permit would move faster. Another idea is to sit down with developers and work with them. We aren’t developers, it’s not our line of work, but we can work with them.

Question: Since pilot implementation of SFPark parking meters, rates have been adjusted based on demand. Despite this, on Valencia, there are still no available spots on nights and weekends. Would you support enabling SFPark on nights and weekends, with a starting price of $0/hr, and using the funds toward neighborhood transit?

Extend hours? At this point, probably not. This is a very challenging economy, and we want to roll out SFPark piece by piece. I’m supportive that meters are more aligned with hourly cost. As things roll out, in a year or two, we can take a look at extending the hours. Janitors were concerned about meters in evenings. They park on street. If they have to pay 5 dollars an hour, 6 to 8 hours, that’s half their wages.

I’m a data person. I’m willing to look at it. Not saying will do it, but open to it. I was told by SFMTA that if we could go one min faster for each transit line, it would save $20 million. A one-minute delay can be caused by something as simple as someone crossing the road, or a car parked at the bus stop. We should have dedicated lanes for transit, especially on Judah, etc. Every other street is one way in Sunset except Taraval and Judah, the ones with transit. Those trains don’t go faster, especially with all the stop signs.

Question: How can the City justify free parking on evenings and weekends when Muni isn’t free during those times?

I’m open to making Muni more free. It’s about recovering costs. There are different pieces of data about whether that works. We have a tenuous economy right now. A major generator of jobs is our small business corridors. They were upset at SFPark when the hourly cost per meters went up. Although, it makes a lot of sense because we have parking lots that cost more than those meters.

Question: If Muni merely maintains current service–doesn’t expand it–the agency will face short-term and long-term deficits. How will you increase revenue for Muni? Be specific. Fees? Taxes? On what? Other sources of revenue?

The number one way we can build revenue is attracting more riders. If we have more riders, potentially fewer cars. Muni goes faster. It’s a win-win cycle. On the other hand, if the opposite happens, it’s very bad for Muni. Less people ride Muni, more cars on the road, which further slows Muni. So we need more riders.

Having dedicated transit lanes, removing stop signs, etc., don’t cost much money, but they help Muni save money.

I’m in the tax business, and I’m happy to talk about revenue. We need to make sure people feel the money is being spent properly. Muni is not always seen as accountable. I’m in favor of fees and taxes—if we’re going to have a fee, call it a tax, and say it’s going to go toward Muni and our economy. Whether it’s a parcel tax, bond, etc. But we also need to use the data to improve Muni. A lot of people don’t have faith the data is being used. It has to be both.

Question: The City is planning two bus-rapid transit systems. Things are moving slowly. As mayor, how would you push these?

People listen to the mayor’s office. For example, the mayor doesn’t have much say over education, but mayor has the pulpit. Can sell things. What I did as assessor is sell my office. Sold it to the mayor, Board, and City. Every year, we got more money and people because we could generate more money for the City.

Most people are satisfied with Muni, thankful for it, but many say it’s not accountable. Merchants are very concerned along Geary about BRT, but it has to get done. City has to do something. If merchants are worried about losing money—they’re livelihood—you have to make it up to them. Maybe you have to give them a tax break during this time. Some level of subsidy during this time.

We need BRT along both corridors. It takes forever on those routes. If you’re by the beach, it’s like commuting from the N line. Does it make sense to have so many big buses going all the way to beach? I get off at 19th Avenue, and even during rush hour, the buses aren’t full by the time the buses get to that point in the route. We have to look at data to make decisions and to make policy.

Introductory Comments

You’re going to find that most of us candidates are in agreement. I look at things different from other candidates because I’ve been an administrator with many administrations. Looking at things from an administrator’s point of view.
What we’re talking about today is not different from 5 or 10 years ago, from 1965. It’s a huge problem, first-rate city and we haven’t had a first-rate transit system. Why? Things in City government and in most branches deteriorate from the head on down. Our transit administrators in SF – with exception of Michael Burn – have had little experience and know nothing about San Francisco. Different from LA, Chicago, NY. But we had a first-class transit system in the ’20s. Both public and private. It satisfied the needs of the people when you had 650-700 thousand people. Our problems are more acute because of onslaught of automobiles. We have more handicapped people on the street than before. We expect higher service from a city like SF.
My emphasis is not so much on problems, but getting the right people on the show. Is Ed Reiskin right guy for job? No. We’re talking about a major department. If we can’t take time to find someone that is schooled in modern transportation, in 21st century transportation. To put someone from Seattle is not the way to do it.
All-door boarding problem. We already have it, but not officially. Bring in someone that knows how to address it. There’s a technical item where you pass your thing over it, and you’re on. [Editor's Note: He motioned with his hands, and I believe he was referring to Clipper.]
I’m critically concerned about the routes, but that comes with the administrators and managers that know how to deliver. We can solve these problems with the right managers and right administration. I’m looking at up to 10 to 15 people who know what to do.

Question: If Muni merely maintains current service–doesn’t expand it–the agency will face short-term and long-term deficits. How will you increase revenue for Muni? Be specific. Fees? Taxes? On what? Other sources of revenue?

I’m not going to raise taxes or fees. I wouldn’t have installed Clipper until problems were cleared. Will make sure when we contract that we get the best deal; not what a lobbyist sells the City. We’re getting dirty technology currently. Cut the waste, get experts in that know how to fund the system. Money was wasted on Clipper.

Question: A lot has come out about mismanagement at Muni—maintenance, broken buses, holes in the schedules. What are you going to do to clean up Muni?

This is related to the big issue in this race, which is pension reform. Streamline administrative staff. There are dozens of jobs with people making $225,000 a year. Hate to sound blunt, but I’m not running to be everyone’s best friend. A mayor can only do so much. Mayor has to lead by his appointments, and his example.

Question: Explain in more detail your position on SFMTA’s Transit Effectiveness Project.

I’m going to be honest, I’m not going to walk every route. I’m going to ask the public to weigh in and appoint people that can fix it. My pledge—if the public’s concern about routing isn’t solved within a year, I’m going to be held accountable.

Question: Congestion affects Muni, and development can cause congestion. In some parts of the City, an increase in housing units requires a minimum of one parking space per unit. Other organizations have supported a policy of 0.5 parking spaces per unit; are you willing to do that?

I’m not willing to make a commitment on parking ratio. Not sure how that’s going to affect people who move here, who have cars. To the extent that I would change parking ratios, I would apply it district by district. The needs of outlying districts are different than others. If I told you anything other than that, I wouldn’t be fair to you. I would approach that problem with the goal of reducing auto usage.
Question: Recently there have been large cuts to Muni service. Do you support full service restoration, and how would you pay for it?
Absolutely. Cut waste. I would bring in an expert, preferably someone local. Full service restoration, absolutely. We have more money per capita than they have down there. If we can’t make it work, we’re not “the City that knows how.”

Question: What is your stand on congestion pricing?

I’m not particularly in favor of it; I weighed in at the time it was being discussed. It works in some European cities. I’m not against it. But I’m not sure I would do it in San Francisco. Americans have an infatuation with their horse, their car.

Question: You mentioned the infatuation with the car—it’s important to move people from thinking about cars.

I think we’re getting there. A lot of people are waking up to fact that it’s nicer to take public transit. I think it can happen here. Have to be sympathetic to people that can’t ride a bike, or can’t get on a bus with shopping stuff.