North Beach Transit Survey

Background

Thanks to 122 respondents who shared their insights on where transit and was not working for them. This survey preceded a January 2020 Community Meeting with members of SFMTA to help direct the conversation and dialogue. The survey was posted publicly and was available for anyone to complete.

When asked what the biggest reasons were for not taking Public Transit more often, respondents said…

#1 - Speed of Travel (59%)

#2 - Does Not Go Where I Want to Go (50%)

#3 - Reliability (35%)

Other choices included - Safety Concerns (18%), Cost of Fares (5%)

71% of Respondents Think Transit Performance has stayed “about the same” in North Beach in the past few years

About the same - 71.4%, Worse - 19.3%, Better 9.2%

Most frequented MUNI routes (taken at least once a month)

By unique # of people who mentioned taking each month once a month or more.

Respondents were supportive of many safety and transit reliability upgrades

58% Closing Streets to Private Cars

57% Red Bus-Only Lanes

56% Traffic Calming Measures

54% Protected Bike Lanes

Other choices included - Traffic Circles at Complex Intersections (46%), White Loading and Unloading Zones (38%)

Which neighborhood would you like to get to more easily without driving or taking a taxi/ride share app?

Mission / Excelsior - 37%

SOMA - 37%

The Presidio - 36%

Hayes Valley - 36%

Other choices included - Union Square (35%), Upper Market/Castro/Noe (31%), Marina (29%), Richmond (26%), Cole Valley/Sunset (26%), Pacific Heights (26%)

What is the biggest reason you do not ride a bicycle or scooter in North Beach more often?

Safety Concerns - 72%

Discomfort Riding - 22%

Access to Bicycles - 4%

If North Beach had protected bike lanes, would you consider riding a bicycle or scooter more often?

No - 48%

Yes - 35%

Maybe - 17%

Do you own a car?

Yes - 57%

No - 43%

Sample of Descriptive Responses…

“I wish the new subway went to North Beach. Also, cars race up Lombard to Coit Tower - we need speed bumps.”

“The 45 and 30 can be great. The new buses are nice. The hardest for me is travel time. E.g., I will probably take an Uber tonight from Russian Hill to Davies Symphony hall because the 45-47 is a beastly trip. If the transfer from Union street to Van Ness or Union to Columbus were faster, we could use it more.”

“The 41 bus would be much more useful if it ran throughout the day and later during the week and also if it operated on the weekends. More activities are becoming available in downtown/Fidi (Salesforce Park, restaurants, Embarcadero shopping/theater, etc.), but it is not an easy area to access with kids.”

“Good for going downtown/FIDI. Would like to see the central subway extended. Add more connections for going west besides having to take the Van Ness buses and transferring.”

“Buses are very reliable. But they get stuck in vehicle traffic on Stockton, it’s often faster to walk. The streetcar would be a great route to travel if it was not so expensive and came more frequently.”

“Scant service; the 8 comes in bunches (one full, 2-3 completely empty)and then long times without anything. The E is the only other choice from CalTrain and the E exists only as a fictional route on the MUNI maps.”

“Transit serves me the best when it's quick: not just short times en route, but also frequent service to reduce waiting. It falls apart when it takes too long: I mainly take a taxi/Uber when I would have to transfer, just because then you're waiting for two buses that might or might not come.”