D.I.Y. Streetcar Seating

Leave it to someone to create a place to sit and leave it for others to share at the F-train stop at Laguna outbound. Too bad the city ripped out all the benches years ago; everyone needs a bed.

America's Cup Runneth Over

photo courtesy of SFExaminer.com

via SF Examiner explains how MUNI, BART and other transit agencies are expected to handle the pedestrian traffic from Pier 29 during the America's Cup Race in 2013.

VIDEO: Videogame Lets You Be a MUNI Driver, Give Black People Free Rides

Market Street Bicycle Boxes Disappear, Get Ignored

Magically disappearing bicycle boxes

    The green bicycle boxes and bike lanes along Market Street have been touted as a great first step to a Better Market Street.  I've used them myself once (since I generally crosstown commute from Ocean Ave to The Bayview) and found them to provide a level of assurance and safety I'd never felt riding in San Francisco before, but as I came out of Van Ness Station and waited to cross to Bank of America I noticed something peculiar.

    In many different locations approaching the intersection, and especially at dusk, these green safety boxes appear to disappear from sight. Just thought I'd throw that along. The real reason I came to Van Ness and Market was to see for myself how these traffic control devices were implemented, why they should be there in the first place, and how the public was responding to these new devices.

Slinky Sister City Streetcar Reappears

The Castro - Usually, being bumped off the historic "F" streetcar line at Market/Noe can be a bummer, especially in bad weather.  But today, as i was directed to disembark by the operator, I turned to look East down Market Street, and spotted a slender, blue streetcar.  One that I had never seen before.  Apparently, i was witnessing an initial test run of the return of one of the most unique streetcars in the historic fleet, a carriage from San Francisco's Sister City of Zurich, Switzerland.  
          "In June, 2004, Market Street Railway facilitated the delivery of Brussels No. 7037 to the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) following its retirement. Muni modified the tram for service in San Francisco, and renumbered it to 737.
In June, 2005, the car made its first appearance on the street, but at the request of Mayor Gavin Newsom, it wears the blue and white livery of San Francisco's sister city Zürich, Switzerland, which operated similar looking cars (but narrow gauge and non-PCC). In the future, No. 737 may be restored to its original 1952 cream Brussels livery" (via Market Street Railway).

          The streetcar was running in 'training' mode, so it stopped without passengers.  The exterior was this almost periwinkle blue that reminded me of the sky if you look straight up.  The driver threw open it's doors, revealing a classic interior with abundant wood and brass adornments.  The gleaming paint, authentic emblems, touches of gold and the window trim were among the notable details.

          I hope to see this streetcar more frequently, and soon i hope to ride this historic piece of our living, moving past.

View of train approaching Market/Noe from the east.

    

Insignia located along the side, close to the rear.

Place and date

View of train leaving station