In a hearing yesterday regarding unscheduled "switch-backs" on the N-Judah and L-Taraval lines, Supes Carmen Chu and John Avalos voiced concerns from their constituents in the Sunset and Excelsior districts about what a huge pain in the ass it is to get bumped from outbound trains that turn around long before reaching the end of the route. Testifying in defense of the "service management technique", Muni Operations Chief John Haley explained: "Trains are turned to support the greater good." So, you know - quit complaining, entitled train riders.
Per the Chronicle, Haley explained that Muni's policy is to only turn around trains if the next vehicle is five minutes away or less - probably not much of a consolation to weary homeward bound commuters since we all know how accurate NextBus predictions can be. (And, of course, if a train is being turned around that must mean the system is already experiencing delays.) According to Haley the number of trains turned around per month dropped from 175 in September to 97 in both November and December. That's less than one percent of scheduled runs, but still 3 per day which will inevitably come at the most inopportune times.
As of this writing, local blogger and N-Judah enthusiast Greg Dewar has yet to chime in.
