The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is set to implement cutbacks on Muni bus routes starting this Saturday, due to a significant $50 million budget shortfall. Riders can expect to see some bus routes turning back at Market Street, requiring transfers for continued travel.
Additionally, Muni will still operate its subway service along Market Street with five Metro lines providing service approximately every two minutes during weekdays. Despite these cutbacks, the agency assures passengers that they can transfer for free between Muni vehicles within a two-hour window after boarding.
In light of these changes, SFMTA has also announced several route modifications that are not linked to the upcoming budget cuts. Muni riders are encouraged to consult the full list of changes on SFMTA’s website to navigate the new transit landscape efficiently.
Meanwhile, Oakland is following in San Francisco’s footsteps by introducing 18 new speed cameras as part of a broader initiative to curb reckless driving. Advocates from the organization Transform, which played a pivotal role in the enactment of the speed-camera law, emphasize the pressing need for traffic safety measures in Bay Area cities.
Recent statistics from San Francisco’s camera deployments revealed alarming numbers of drivers exceeding speed limits, underlining the critical demand for improved traffic calming, as well as enhanced biking, walking, and public transport infrastructure.
Transform has also highlighted a recent KTVU interview with board member Warren Logan, who discusses the significance of speed camera implementation for community safety. Notably, Oakland and San Francisco are among seven cities in California permitted to utilize speed cameras under a pilot program established in 2023, with Malibu being the only other city that currently operates such a program.
In a different development, Caltrans is launching a new phase of outreach regarding the future of Interstate 980, which is envisioned to be removed in an effort to heal some historical injustices faced by the West Oakland community during its initial construction.
The Vision 980 Study aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents by examining how the 980 corridor could be transformed into opportunities that promote housing, businesses, open spaces, and cultural facilities.
The second outreach phase will showcase various strategies and scenarios for reconnecting the impacted areas, having gathered substantial community input from the initial engagement round held in 2024. This previous effort involved nearly 2,800 surveys and numerous events aimed at collecting input from local residents.
The Vision 980 team will be present at the West Oakland Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3233 Market Street, offering community members a chance to engage with the project.
Additionally, there will be an open house on Wednesday, June 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oakland Unified School District Central Kitchen, located at 2850 West Street, where residents can learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback on the Vision 980 initiatives.
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