When you wait for an hour only for two clogged buses to show up, it may seem like nobody in this town cares about getting you from place to place. But don't you think for a minute that there aren't armies of experts at work, and hundreds of thousands of dollars being wheelbarrowed around! The SF Transportation Authority's February 14th meeting is nearly upon us, as you surely know. Let's look over the agenda. more ›

We have that cold that's going around (sniffle), so maybe that's why we find this decongesting plan so intriguing -- but Jake McGoldrick, chair of the SF Transportation Authority (and Chris Daly confrontation survivor), has proposed that San Francisco, like London and Singapore, start charging people tolls to drive into downtown during rush hour. Under McGoldrick's plan, drivers would buy a one-day pass to drive on the busiest streets downtown, and the money would go to MUNI. (Though it does seem like BART and Caltrain should get some cash too, if we're cutting down on East and South Bay drivers as well.) Congestion charging, say its advocates, clears the streets, keeps the smog levels down, makes public transportation more efficient, makes certain areas more pedestrian-friendly, and lets people prioritize how they want to get to work. We'd be the first city in the country to adopt such a plan if we actually decide to do it. Of course, AAA says they think it's a terrible idea, and the chamber of commerce worries that no one would come downtown anymore. But, and maybe this is our bias showing, but honestly, who'd drive anywhere if they didn't have to? Additional bonus: more missed connections to read on Craigslist! We honestly can't see anything bad about this proposal (but welcome enlightenment in the comments). Londonists, we'd love to hear what you guys think of the system too! more ›