May 7, 2007
Mystery Shelters Soon to be Glimpsed
Muni's giving us the chance of a lifetime: come see the proposed new transit shelter designs! Y'see, we're going to be getting a revamp of our familiar domed-roof shelters, and Muni's in the process of deciding how exactly the shelters of the future should look. They've got a couple designs picked out -- but no peeking! Like the MPAA jealously guards its movies from cyber-pirates, Muni has declined to make pictures of the designs available online.
So you're going to have to journey downtown in person to sneak a peek. Here's the location and viewing hours:
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
* Van Ness Lobby Thursday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* South Light Court Friday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Elusive devils, these proposed designs. Catch 'em while you can!
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So my guess is that since we have to wait longer & longer for bus, Muni wants to spend money on our shelters vs better bus schedules?!!!
Actually the contract for the shelters is up and Muni is looking for public input (hint: BIG NEXTBUS SIGNS!) on the best designs (reminder: BIG NEXTBUS SIGNS VISIBLE FROM A DISTANCE!) for bus shelters (in case you forgot: EASY TO READ NEXTBUS SIGNS!) to replace the current ones.
Hai MM. I heard that the new bus closets have a plug for charging up your cameraphone! How do you know that they have the designs picked out already? You must have a good source, cuz it doesn't say anything about it on the website. What a great idea, I hope that they look like pirate ships, too.
What?: We can't get the system to work so we're going to spend money on shiny new shelters? Please.
I would just be happy with ACCURATE NEXTBUS SIGNS
OK folks,
This is a contract the SFMTA makes money from. The winning company makes money from the advertising which pays for the installation and maintenance of the shelters (1/3 of which will not have ads) and gives a cut of the profit back to the SFMTA.
Public input is being taken into consideration, but if you take a minute to think about this you're looking at a handful of advertising companies who make their money from these shelters. They've got a vested interest in us liking the shelter designs. They have probably done a lot of internal research. Bigger and easier to read NextMuni signs would mean riders spend more time looking at the shelter, and the advertising in it, so it's in their best interest.
At least that's how it should work out.
Question for cutie Jamison:
What design qualities are you suggesting for the new shelters?
We have hardly any shelters here in the outer Sunset. Will we finally get more shelters?
First to DB,
Probably not because the number of shelters is capped. I think the new contract has a slightly higher limit, but I would expect most new shelters to show up in high traffic areas. Mission Bay would be a good candidate.
Ahh.. thank you Survivor,
I can't find my copy of the contract RFP (request for proposals) but I can tell you a few things about them. At least one of the companies bidding for the contract (CBS Outdoors) went to various committees, councils asking for feedback and suggestions. Being on one of the latter councils they came to, we found out some of our suggestions had come up over and over.
NextMuni signs are obvious, but we got into what would make them more useful. A common one was multi-line displays with one line dedicated to the next train or bus while the other can carry the notices and announcements. Making them larger and more visible at distance, the CBS representative mentioned transparent canopies are one option allowing a sign mounted inside (where it's protected from the elements) to be read from outside. I suggested placing the line numbers on something like a short flagpole above the shelter which he said was something they've been doing in other cities making the lines easier to see and safer from vandalism.
The RFP requires several styles be presented, ideally designs which are modular enough they can be customized to fit the look of different neighborhoods. Solar power options are also in there, which get back to NextMuni signs because not all shelters have electrical power to them plus it would provide lighting at night.
The new CEO is also using the shelter contract to solve one of Muni's constant problems: subway escalators. As part of the bid, companies must present canopy designs for the subway entrances along Market Street, which would keep the rain off the escalators and at the same time make the entrances more visible and could mean NextMuni signs above ground as well.
Yes, improved NextBus signage is a must. The 4th & King signs really steam my clams, specifically how the King St. platform indicates arrival times for the 4th street platform. Argh. Or how about direction? Certainly the NB signs at SFSU and Stonestown indicate direction, but he ones in the metro platforms don't. They ALL should.
Since 311 is a 24x7 operation, there should be signage indicating that people can call 311 for live help in a multitude of languages. Currently the 415-6-SF-MUNI number is hidden in tiny print on the maps. Something along the lines of "CALL 311 ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT FOR ASSISTANCE" in English, Spanish, and Cantonese at least.
And, lastly the shelters should all indicate which routes stop and when. Along those lines, there should be a provision to a.) easily change this information and b.) easily append information regarding service outages/changes. Some flimsy paper saran wrapped to a lamp post is just stupid.
And if you're interested in those shelters, here's the link to my semi-blurry Flickr photoset, taken about three hours ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dantc/sets/72157600202130168/
SFMTA's photographer was there at well and I overheard that better pictures will be available on their Web site on Monday afternoon.
I would like to see CC TV's for those long waits.