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Downtown Muni Metro Train Strikes Pedestrian

Andrew Dalton — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:20:22 GMT

Around 5 a.m. this morning, a Muni Metro light rail vehicle struck a pedestrian walking on the tracks in an underground tunnel between the Embarcadero and Montgomery Street stations.

The pedestrian was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, but Muni officials didn't have any immediate updates on the person's condition. Shuttles were initially put in place to supplement the backed up service, but SFMTA reports that regular service was restored around 9 a.m. this morning.

[SFEx]
[BCN/Appeal]
[@SFMTA]

Muni Bids Adieu to OS/2

Matt Baume — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:31:10 GMT

Anyone who follows Muni knows to roll their eyes when the subject of ATCS comes up. That's the lousy old software that controls the trains in the subway -- it was supposed to speed things up when it was installed back in the 90s, but as we know, subway service is slow slow slow. It's also to blame for those incomprehensible maps displayed on the flat-screens on the platforms. And now, finally, it's close to getting a makeover.

On the agenda for a Wednesday meeting of the SF County Transportation Authority: allocating $300,000 for a variety of projects, including an upgrade for the ATCS network platform from OS/2 to Windows. (Yes, OS/2. Our subway runs on OS/2. You're not surprised, are you?)

Hopefully this will mean faster operations and better support; but as Rescue Muni pointed out a year ago, system upgrades at Muni are often accompanied by disastrous hiccups. We can't wait!

Coming Soon to Subways: An End to FAIL!

Matt Baume — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:08:37 GMT

As an added bonus, the NextBus maps will finally be able to listen to Muni's own (antique) system, so the estimates will be more reliable. Of course, they'll still be located down by the track, rather than at the entrance to the station -- a security precaution, according to a Muni spokesman. Muni was apparently concerned that the expensive flatscreens would suffer vandalism, which sounds like a reasonable fear to us. (For example, we've seen how nicely our property is treated when it's in Hunters Point.)

If you're standing outside the subway, trying to decide whether to wait or walk, Muni recommends calling 311 to find out when the next train is coming (not to be confused with the useless 511, which still doesn't understand NextBus). But what about putting scrolling LED signs up near the subway entrances? They've got those hanging in bus stops all over the city, and they seem pretty vandal-resistant (except when they're not). Well, Muni says they might "consider various options." When our parents told us that, it usually meant "I'm busy enough already, kid" -- so we're guessing that having arrival times near the entrance is too much to hope for in the near future.

Week Around the -Ists

Brock Keeling — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:09:59 GMT

LAist listed a top ten list of sorts: things they hope not to see in Los Angeles in 2008. (one example, pictured above).
Shanghaiist was surprised to learn that "godless," "atheist," and "commie" China is soon going to be the world's largest supplier of Bibles!
Torontoist picked some of their favorite photos of 2007.
Londonist was relieved to hear the fire at the Royal Marsden hospital didn't harm any of the patients even though it was a pretty big blaze.
Phillyist resolves to be better in 2008.
Gothamist marveled at a lawsuit from a nightclub patron who was beaten up by bouncers over a questionable bill.
Bostonist has a word of advice for all ballplayers--look up the name of the drink in Urban Dictionary before you endorse it, OK? Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis has signed up to market an energy drink entitled the "SlumpBuster."
Austinist has your SXSW 2008 news and rumor updates.
Chicagoist breathed easier after smoking was banned from any and all indoor spaces in 2008.
SFist witnessed a mighty storm - well, mighty for Californians, that is - blow through the Bay Area.
Seattlest saw controversy about Starbuck's new Skinny Latte grow even wider.
Houstonist chats with a College Cheerleader of the Year candidate.
DCist reads about Ruben Castaneda, a crack addict and Post Metro correspondent.

Photo Credit: Malingering

Ride Muni for Free All Night Long On New Year's Eve

Brock Keeling — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:52:26 GMT

Mayor Gavin Newsom says that one of his "top priorities is to ensure that every San Franciscan has a safe and happy New Year. Riding Muni is a smart and green way to ring in the new year." (Thanks, Gavin!) And with a firm flick of his wrist, this New Year's Eve, starting at 8 p.m., Muni will be free all night, which is about what it's worth. The free rides come to a screeching halt at 6 a.m., Tuesday, January 1.

Plus, they will have added service:

Special Metro service from 7 p.m. to about 4 a.m., between the Caltrain depot at 4th & King Streets and West Portal Station
Extra service on Muni Owl bus routes (1 a.m. - 5 a.m. service): 5 Fulton, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 38 Geary, 90 Owl, 91 Owl, and L and N Metro Owl motor coach service
F Line Market & Wharves service provided by motor coaches beginning in the late afternoon, and rerouted between 3rd & Market and Fisherman's Wharf from about 7:30 p.m. to end of service

And, if necessary, a few pesky reroutes:

Lower Market and Mission between 4th Street and The Embarcadero beginning at about 10 p.m.
In the Castro area on the 24 Divisadero and 35 Eureka bus routes
In North Beach on the 9X San Bruno Express route
On Union Street on the 45 Union-Stockton route
From Market Street and to the Embarcadero on the F-Line

If the mood should strike, read the SFMTA NYE press release in all of its glory after the jump.

Screw You Guys, I'm Going Home

Brock Keeling — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:41:17 GMT

We love Gridskipper's edge as of late. Take, for example, today's revealing top 8 San Francisco bars with the "crappiest crowds." Rankings 8, 7, 6, and 5 are Beauty Bar, Medjool, Swig, and R Bar, respectively.

In all fairness, you need to visit good ol' Gridie to find out just who made the top four. (Also, regarding the number-one spot, we've never visited the sorta chic spot but have heard mixed reviews. Is it really that bad, clientele-wise? Jesus. We remove ourselves from the nightlife scene for a scant four months, and our scenester knowledge is shot to hell. Sad.)

We can't think of any local establishments' crowds that deserve our scorn. On the contrary, the scenes at such venues as Michael Gouddou's Gallery Lounge and Da Da, the newly relocated Metro in the Castro, and the bar at the St. Regis have won us over tenfold. (Really, all excellent choices for drinking and chatting as far as we're concerned.) Oddly enough, we here at SFist cannot think of one particular bar crowd to bitch about. Frightening.

This is where you, dear readers, come in: any thoughts? Just where will you never step foot in again because of the scene?

Larry Craig Had Sex With a Bear

Brock Keeling — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:10:35 GMT

"I went pale and nearly vomited," says David Phillips about Larry Craig, an IT geek, bear, and 2006 Metro Weekly Cover Boy of the Year about getting fucked by Sen. Larry Craig many years ago while Phillips of was skinny slip of a thing at George Mason University in 1987. Wonkette has the scoop and all its gory details, which we implore you to read.

But we can't do this neocon fetishist's tale justice. In addition to learning that Craig is a top (?), we also learn that:

-- He had sex with Craig at his home, in his guest room, possibly while his wife was in the house.
-- "As he reached for the door, [Craig] took a $20 bill from his wallet, shoved in [Phillips'] front pocket, adding ‘Remember, I can buy and sell your ass ten thousand times over. You were never here. Don’t try to come back here. You don’t know me.
-- "It was a clumsy and unremarkable fuck."
-- Craig practices safe sex..
-- Closet cases are selfish lovers. Craig "ordered [Phillips] to get dressed without wiping" himself clean afterwards. Ew! What a pig, jerk.

Oh, Larry -- caught in a bear trap that might prove fatal. Well, see you in Guerneville.

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:42:46 GMT

Last week's winner, the Bay Guardian. Tim Redmond says the Navy is the gayest armed services branch. Well, sure. Cars are worse than homeless people, says a letter writer. Halloween will suuuuuck. A former director of Intersection for the Arts died in a car crash. The new crackdown on homelessness, and why aren't people more upset? Cover article: Our pals at SwapSF make the cover! About the whole freetail trend! Yay SwapSF! (and other freegans!) Annalee Newitz loves to IM. This Woggles concert sounds like fun ("I go to a lot of shows where dudes in hoodies stand around, solemnly head-bobbing with their hands in their pockets" -- but the Woggles won't be one of those!) Okay, the band name Eat Skull caught our attention. Damon and Naomi are coming to town. Is a Chinese restaurant filled with non-white people really better than the other option? And L.E. Leone wishes she were an alcoholic.

Next up, let's make it the East Bay Express. A bunch of people angry about an article about the Oakland Director of Public Safety! Was it okay for a Merc News reporter to buy the domain name recalldellums.com and write a bunch of angry emails about the Oakland mayor? A right versus left fight at Cal. Cover: why's a rich SoCal guy want to keep the Oakland School District under state control? (Also -- are Robert Gannon and Rachel Swan writing at the EBX now?) Stoner alert! They're going to play Holst's The Planets to a light show! Living Word Fest this weekend. Eating at the I-House in Berkeley. And the entertaining-sounding Gore Gore Girls.

After the jump: The SF Weekly and the SJ Metro, along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count.

everything

At Least You Weren't On This Bus

SFist_Dan — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:07:50 GMT

Yes, the Metro trains yesterday were all screwed up, but it could have been worse. We saw the ad above on a #22 and...shudder.

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 08:39:21 GMT

Last week's winner, the deceptive SF Weekly. Letters abound, either outraged by the fake Barry Bonds story or entertained by the elk. Why don't the negative letters have the names of the authors? Are you now questioning all the journalism you read in the Weekly now, or did you just think it was a good joke? Matt Smith says Gavin Newsom is supporting a cult. No, not the cult of Gavin, though no doubt Gavin supports that too. Cover article: a family that's had two kids shot near the Sunnyvale housing project. It's a really interesting story! This weekend alone: Litquake, the Zine Fest, and Tease-O-Rama. It's good to live in SF! Meredith isn't so happy with an appetizer bar; SFist Ced isn't so happy with Meredith! Mercredi, C'est Ravioli will continue!!!! Yay! Recent disaster concerts in the Bay Area -- at least Lady Sovereign and Lauryn Hill showed up, unlike MF Doom. We liked Let's Get Killed's pensive mature tone about the tough times Rogue Wave's gone through, we really did. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and the Bouncer deconstructs the dive bar.

Next up, oh, let's say the Guardian. Gavin Newsom's interview with the Guardian sounds like it was a train wreck! You can download it here. Will Carmen Chu be a rubber stamp for Newsom? A cute picture of Robert Haaland (not online), and hey, congrats, Guardian writer G-Dub Schulz!! He won an award for his coverage of the Merc News buyout. Dennis Herrera hates barbecues. The problem with enforcing quality-of-life laws. Cover article: Oh shoot, it's the endorsements issue. The Guardian's endorsements issue always reminds us that we have to start paying attention to the upcoming election again. Shoot. We'd even forgotten Question Time is back on! A fake Meg White sex tape? Oh, that's sick. The lady has an anxiety disorder! Nepalese food on Div, and eating the chicken you raised, by L.E. Leone. And we don't think we'd watch this movie, but the title "I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With" is good.

After the jump: the East Bay Express and the San Jose Metro, along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count.

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:10:35 GMT

Last week's winner, the San Jose Metro. Alas! They haven't updated their site for this week yet, and we didn't manage to snag a hard copy of the paper, so they'll have to forfeit in the Weekly of the Week contest for the week.

Next up, let's call it for the SF Weekly. Ephraim the Track Bike is back! And he mentions us! We love you, Ephraim the Track Bike! Did Ed Jew's people spearhead that ill-fated fizzled-out attempt to recall Aaron Peskin to try and distract people from the woes of Burlingame's finest? We kind of hope so! Cover article: Okay, this story about Barry Bonds's steroid use is fake. The anecdote about Bonds lactating from his steroid-enhanced breasts in the dugout is where we were like, "heeeeey, !" Embarrassingly, that's about halfway into the article before we figured it out. Also, the authors of the story ("Nic Foit and Ira Tes") anagrams to STEROID FANATIC IN. We don't know what to do with that last n and i, we're not very good with anagrams. That book about the fired ad exec who loves being a barista at Starbucks. Pauline's has better pizza than California Pizza Kitchen. Let's Get Killed explores classical music, like our Philistine!. And a breakdown of fake letters, by Dan Savage.

After the jump: The Bay Guardian (anagrams to NAIAD BRA GUY) and the East Bay Express (SEPARATES BY SEX), along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count.

wait a minute

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:16:36 GMT

Next up, the Bay Guardian: You know we love Tim Redmond, but we had kind of a hard time following his non-market-based argument about the SF housing market. Can't we get the Freakonomics guys to look into that? It's too bad we didn't get his argument, though -- because it's the all-housing issue. Chris Daly on the shaky legality of Newsom's requested resignations: "I've done some unorthodox political manuevers, but every time there were city attorneys circling." We bet there were! There's probably someone in the city attorney's office whose sole job is to circle Chris Daly! Next: space vampires! LCD Soundsystem is playing with Arcade Fire. Marke B strikes a blow against bad gay hair, and for the cute boys of the East Bay (and Gunther too!). Sweeney Todd! Circus arts against Bush's bad legal policies. And Cheryl Eddy went to the Toronto Film Fest.

After the jump: the East Bay Express, the San Jose Metro, and the Weekly of the Week! Also, your YTD count of winners.

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:54:42 GMT

Next up, a completely not soaked with alcohol East Bay Express: Hey, we just picked our issue up with the classifieds side up and you can go to LA on a Price Is Right bus tour for $125! ($16 off if you mention the ad.) Come on down! The tofu-based logic of this week's Dream Cartoon cannot be refuted. Calling the guy whose number is 510-RAIDERS. He's been getting drunk dials for over 10 years. Why so much arson in Oakland? Cover article: shady mortgage brokers selling houses without telling the owners in Berkeley. Exciting neighborhood spat (complete with stencil graffiti) ensues. Hey, Judy Blume's coming to Alameda this Monday! There's a new wine bar in Oakland. Fiddling in Berkeley, and hey! The Treasure Island Music Fest (we remember to buy tickets to that).

After the jump: the San Jose Metro and the Bay Guardian, the Weekly of the Week, and the tally for the year.

must

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:27:27 GMT

And next up, the Bay Guardian: Tim Redmond and the Guardian editorial board go in with both fists swinging about Newsom's latest two begging-from-the-rich schemes. Yeah! We love it!! Guess that banner about no condos on Valencia didn't work. Angry letter to Annalee Newitz from an no-animal-testing activist about anthropomorphizing animals. That mayoral candidate Dr. Ahimsa Sumchai was sentenced to 116 days in jail for "explosive outbursts of anger and paranoia?" Cover article: Stories you didn't hear about (it's all about how much Bush sucks). Also, local stories you didn't hear about, like (drumrolll....) public power. Gosh, you know what we need? A local paper that talks about public power ! (We kid because we love, SFBG!) Steven Jones files a report from his very favoritest place on earth, the playa, about why Chicken John thinks it was cool that Paul Addis burned the man early. Cruisin' comes out on DVD -- good for the gays, or bad for the gays? Treasure Island Music Fest! Fun transplanted SoCal surf punkers. Dances about samurai obsessions. Eating in Cow Hollow and the Marina. And the new Johnnie To Macau mobster movie is good.

After the jump: the East Bay Express and the SF Weekly, along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count. Also -- our favorite of the Matt Smith graphic art panels on Gavin Newsom, which we've borrowed from the SF Weekly (hope that's okay! let us know if not.)

all the fricken time

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:46:07 GMT

Next, the SF Weekly. [For some reason, they haven't updated the website at the time we're writing this. We'll try and add the links in when they update their site. Does this have anything to do with the news we heard of their copy editor leaving?] Matt Smith gets a form letter from Starbucks apologizing for spilling boiling coffee on his father. The Burning Man diary would be funnier if someone hadn't already set fire to the Burning Man a few days early. Ha! Why do we spend so much money on MUNI? Cover article: It's Chris Daly!!! Let the rehabilitation of the District 6 supervisor begin!! They call him "sweet," and note that his brother is a Republican. Fight finales at the Four Star next week, and we love the headline "Feast Bay" for the Art and Soul festival in Oakland over the weekend. A film reviewer from New York hated Balls of Fury. Common is a sensitive rapper. And talk with Ben Gibbard from Death Cab about Kerouac.

After the jump: the East Bay Express (independently owned since Hank Aaron was the home run king -- ha! We liked that one) and the San Jose Metro, along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count.