Ask a MUNI Driver
We got a whole bunch of questions to ask our MUNI driver and these were the two biggest questions. We have several more questions to go before we get finish up what we've gotten, but if you want to join in on the fun, send them to editor@sfist.com
Why do buses for lines like the #1 come so irregularly and in clusters even at the first stop of the bus line?
Right off the back, there is a shortage of drivers and a shortage of working buses.
Also, MUNI is trying to reign in OVERTIME pay.
On Drivers: When an operator is sick, and the On Call / Stand By operators are already used up, the runs are not filled. The same happens with vacations, injuries, assaults on the job, resignations, and retirement. When there are lines that are "must fill", at the last resort, the dispatchers will cannibalize working buses from other lines to make sure these critical / high priority lines are running.
On usable, working buses: Because of difficulty on getting parts and the operating budget, a good part of the bus fleet is grounded. The mechanics can't work on them until the specific parts arrive.
On Overtime: This is High premium overtime pay. Drivers who want to work overtime and/or on their days off to pick up the lack are valuable. But there is not enough drivers willing to do overtime.
Now, why do buses bunch up?
It does not take much to delay a bus. Please allow me to give you the most common ones. Each one of these factors contribute to delay on service. For every one minute that the bus is delayed, it translates up to 4 minutes domino effect in the line.
1) MUNI designed its schedule presuming that customers already have their fare ready. Many people start looking for their fare AS they BOARD.
2) When delivery truck, UPS delivery trucks, cab drivers double- park on the street, the buses have to either wait for them or try to go around them. That takes time. Then, there are people who park at the bus stops.
3) When buses bunch up, passengers swarm to get into the first one. People don't care that the next several ones are totally empty. So, what happens is that the first bus is inundated and overwhelmed with people. A lot of times, many drivers can't easily pass around the first bus because the streets have only one lane or because of heavy traffic. At the end, the first bus ends up being the last to arrive as the second and third buses bypass it.
4) Accidents / incidents with police or paramedic on the scene that require a detour.
5) When buses are so late, the dispatcher would authorize them to pass by portions of their route to get back to where they are supposed to be on the schedule. That in turn creates interruptions of regular service (a necessary evil).
6) Bus mechanical breakdowns.
7) Kids fighting. Police involvement means that the bus is grounded until the situation is rectified.
8) Buses with poor power or acceleration power drag the line. The bus schedule was designed to go the posted speed limit. When a bus can only manage 8 MPH top speed going up a hill, well, the bus has to play catch up. There is no lack of will from the driver to go faster but he is limited to the capability of the bus he happens to have that day.
9) When people gather only at the front of the bus and block passage of other intending passengers, the process of loading 20 people would take 4 minutes instead of say... 2 minutes. People wearing their full backpacks create block the aisle when they turn sideways. It just takes two on each side and you've got a total blockage.
10) Oversized baby strollers are a problem.
11) Everytime a driver waits for people who are not at the bus zone, they miss a green light. Green lights are one minute to 3.5 minutes.
From a driver's point of view, why do you think the system isn't working well and what do you think is needed?
San Francisco is not like Los Angeles. San Francisco is a compact city. When there is congestion, people don't have many places to go around the mess. In Los Angeles, where the city is spread out, you have can take the adjacent streets. That is an inherent, unavoidable factor.
The drivers have no control over traffic and congestion. The bus only lanes with fine enforcement will help. I am in favor of draconian level of parking and traffic enforcement.
Fare evasion is a major problem. If MUNI were to collect their rightful revenue, there would be more buses out there for service.
Crime and violence on the bus often disrupt the normal service of MUNI. This is such a difficult problem to solve with a limited budget. Tough choices have to be made.
Other ideas are to consolidate lines and eliminate little used lines.
Limiting the numbers of stops helps speed up service.
If most people use monthly passes, then the loading process would be sped up. The passenger would just flash the pass to the driver and move on. Cash fares are time consuming. Crumbled billed, fumbling with handful of coins, searching for all 15 pockets one may have... take time.
The fare boxes do have problems. They breakdown easily and will have problems if the bill is soaked or crumbled. I would go as far as championing a system where all fare is handled OUTSIDE the bus like the European transit systems. The BART system's ticket machines would also work. If the bus driver only has to deal with driving safely, I guarantee you that the bus will be sped up by 2X!!!!!!!!! The prepaid system would work wonders for MUNI.
People expect the buses to act like taxis. This is part of the problem. People complain that the bus is late but in the same breath want the driver to WAIT for some coming half a block away who is no where near the bus stop. This further delays the service. You can't have it both ways.