Friends and Neighbors, 

In San Francisco, the rapidly changing environment caused by COVID-19 has impacted every facet of our lives, and transportation is no exception. We’re reaching out to share some updates.

Know that our office has been working around the clock to fight back against MUNI fare hikes, keep MUNI drivers safe and healthy, and make sure our constituents are fully aware of recent changes to bus routes and other services, as well as how you can make your voice heard.

If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to our office, via email at prestonstaff@sfgov.org, or by phone at 415-554-7630. 
 
This message is focused on updates related to transportation, but if you'd like to connect with us virtually on any topic that’s important to you, you can join the D5 team for our weekly office hours this Wednesday, April 22 at 1pm on Zoom Video Conference.

D5 Virtual Office Hours
Wednesday, April 22 at 1pm
Click here to register

 

Last Monday, our office teamed up with UC Berkeley scientists Abrar Abidi and Yvonne Hao as well as volunteers to deliver 500 bottles of hand sanitizer to MUNI operators. Despite promises, operators have not been provided with adequate supplies for their essential work. Monday’s delivery was part of arobust effort to address the most vulnerable  at a time when hours matter. In less than a month, we have delivered over 200 gallons of hand sanitizer to SF homeless shelters, jails, and MUNI operators, with plans to ramp up distribution to every vulnerable person until the city steps in to fully meet the need. We will continue to distribute more hand sanitizer to locations in District 5.
 

The MTA has cut bus routes across the district and is now operating 17 Muni core routes from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m., plus expanded evening-late night or Owl service. According to MUNI, they are making these changes to ensure that the limited resources they have used are to provide service for essential trips on the busiest lines with the highest demand with adequate space for passengers.

Our office has been in constant contact with the MTA to advocate for the return of the 5 and the 43. We understand that these are key routes to Kaiser Permanente and St. Mary’s Hospital along with grocery stores and other essential businesses. If you are having any issues getting where you need to go, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at PrestonStaff@SFgov.org. It is important that we make sure SFMTA hears from everyone affected by the route changes and we are committed to making sure that is the case.

Find out more about the 17 Core Routes

 

Paratransit service continues to operate as normal so that customers can travel for essential needs as defined by the Public Health Order. 

Find out more about Paratransit

 

The new SFMTA Essential Trip Card (ETC) program will help older adults and people with disabilities take and pay for essential trips in taxis during this crisis. 

How You Can Apply

• You must be an older adult (65 or older) or a person with a disability to apply for the Essential Trip Card program by calling 311 and mentioning the Essential Trip Card program. 
• For those who prefer a language other than English, language assistance is available. 
• Staff will be available on the phone weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. to sign up eligible riders. 

How does it work? 

• Once you activate your Essential Trip Card, you will need to put funds on your card to use the trip discount. For every $6 you load on your card, you will receive a $30 value. You may load up to $12 per month to receive a monthly maximum of $60 of value on your card. 

Find more information about the Essential Trip Card here