Six Generations of Pint-Sized Buses Serve Muni’s Toughest Routes

Six Generations of Pint-Sized Buses Serve Muni’s Toughest Routes
By Jeremy Menzies

For over 80 years, special fleets of shorter than usual buses have been reserved for some of the City’s toughest routes. Winding through tight bends and climbing up steep grades, these pint-sized coaches ensure access to transit in neighborhoods where standard-length buses cannot go. As the SFMTA phases in a brand-new batch of shorter buses, here’s a look at all six generations of Muni’s “mini” fleet.

“Baby White” Buses: 1938-1975
The first generation of short-length buses was intended for regular use on all Muni bus routes. Made by the White Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio, this fleet came to SF in 1938. The buses were nicknamed “Baby Whites” after a group of longer White Co. buses arrived in 1947. In the mid 1950s, all but three of these buses were retired. The three saved continued to run on the 39 Coit Tower route until 1975—in service longer than any other bus before or after.

Muni bus 062 in red and yellow paint job with “39 Coit” route sign.
This bus has served longer than any other in Muni’s fleet, wearing at least three different paint schemes and running regularly for 37 years straight. Restored in 2012 to its original orange and black colors and number (042), it’s back in special service today during Muni Heritage over 80 years after arriving in SF.

“Mini Macks”: 1970-1979
Unique among all the shorter buses that have served SF is a small number of buses built by the Mack Truck Company. In the 1950s, Muni contracted with Mack to lease a large fleet of 450, 38-foot long buses. As these were returned at the end of the lease in 1969-1970, two buses were saved for a special reassignment. Shortened by several feet by cutting out a section of the bus, these two coaches were meant to replace the 30-year-old White buses on the 39 Route.

Bus on 39 Coit route at bus stop across from Washington Square Park.
Delivered in 1957 as a 38’ long bus, this and one other Mack bus were chopped down and painted in Muni’s Maroon and Gold colors around 1970. Both served the 39 Coit for nearly a decade.

The “Amys”: 1974-1991
The first fleet of buses specifically purchased to fit the need for smaller buses was a batch of 100 buses built by the AM General Company in the mid 1970s. Nicknamed “Amy’s”, these buses were also the first to arrive wearing the new Muni orange and white Sunset livery and famous “Worm” logo. Today, bus #4154 is part of our vintage bus fleet, operating in special service during Muni Heritage.

People boarding bus on Muni 11 Hoffman route.
People board an AM General bus running on the 11 Hoffman route at Mission and 16th in this 1975 photo.

Orion Fleet #1: 1990-2007
As the AM General buses aged, Muni bought replacements from the Orion bus company in the early 1990s. Even shorter than their predecessors, these were well suited to routes like the 36 Teresita, which winds through Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, Glen Park, and Bernal Heights.

bus with people standing on sidewalk, forest hill station, and fog-covered trees in background.
Forest Hill Station sits shrouded in fog in this 1990 photo of a new Orion bus on the 36 Teresita Route.

Orion Fleet #2: 2007-Present
Following the original batch of Orion buses was a second that hit the streets in 2007. Purchased simultaneously with standard 40-foot-long buses, these were among the first low-floor hybrid buses to serve San Francisco. The new design of these 30 and 40-foot Orions provided easier boarding and quieter, more efficient operation.

bus in front of stop and sidewalk with BART station in background.
A second-generation Orion bus stops at Glen Park BART on the 35 Eureka Route.

ENC EZ-Rider II: 2022-
Today, the SFMTA is replacing its 15-year-old fleet of 30-foot Orions to provide more reliable, cost-effective service on the routes historically served by shorter buses. These new buses, a few of which are already in service, are built by ENC (El Dorado National-California) based in Riverside. At 32-feet long, they have seating for around 25 passengers and room for multiple people using wheelchairs. The first of these buses arrived for acceptance and testing in late 2021 and entered service earlier this year.

Muni bus parked on street with fog and hills behind.
Climbing a grade in McLaren Park, a new 32’ ENC bus tests on the 56 Rutland in late 2021.

Published July 30, 2022 at 03:31AM
https://ift.tt/WFuCtfZ

Comments

Soldier killed in encounter with terrorists in J-K's Pulwama https://ift.tt/2XGQfvf

A soldier was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday. After receiving information about the presence of terrorists, security forces launched a search operation in an orchard in Kamrazipora village of Pulwama in the early hours of the day.

New top story from Time: A Conversation with Filmmaker Adam Curtis on Power, Technology and How Ideas Get Into People’s Heads

https://ift.tt/2NQRzcY The British filmmaker Adam Curtis may work for the BBC, a bastion of the British elite, but over a decades-long career, he has cemented himself as a cult favorite. He is best known as the pioneer of a radical and unique style of filmmaking, combining reels of unseen archive footage, evocative music, and winding narratives to tell sweeping stories of 20th and 21st century history that challenge the conventional wisdom. “I’ve never thought of myself as a documentary maker,” he says. “I’m a journalist.” On Feb. 11, Curtis dropped his latest epic: Can’t Get You Out of My Head , an eight hour history of individualism, split up over six episodes. Subtitled “An emotional history of the modern world,” the goal of the series, Curtis says, was to unpack how we came to live in a society designed around the individual, but where people increasingly feel anxious and uncertain. It’s a big question, and Curtis attempts to answer it by taking us on a winding journ...

New top story from Time: America’s War in Afghanistan Is Over. But in the Horn of Africa, its War On Terror Rages On

https://ift.tt/2ZEtko9 In a remote corner of eastern Africa, behind tiers of razor wire and concrete blast walls, it’s possible to get a glimpse of America’s unending war on terrorism. Camp Lemonnier, a 550-acre military base, houses U.S. special-operations teams tasked with fighting the world’s most powerful al-Qaeda affiliates. Unfolding over miles of sun-scorched desert and volcanic rock inside the tiny country of Djibouti, the base looks—the troops stationed here will tell you—like a sand-colored prison fortress. Inside, two subcamps sit behind opaque 20-ft. fences ringed with yet more razor wire. The commando teams emerge anonymously from behind the gates and board lumbering cargo planes to fly across Djibouti’s southern border with Somalia for what they call “episodic engagements” with local forces fighting al-Shabab , al-Qaeda’s largest offshoot. General Stephen Townsend, commander of military operations in Africa, describes it as “commuting to work.” The Pentagon has ...

New top story from Time: ‘We’re Nowhere Close to the Deal’. Coronavirus Aid Package Talks Break Down as Trump Rejects Help for Cities

https://ift.tt/3098lHW WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed Democratic demands for aid to cash-strapped cities in a new coronavirus relief package and lashed out at Republican allies as talks stalemated over assistance for millions of Americans. Another lawmaker tested positive for the virus. Republicans, beset by delays and infighting, signaled a willingness to swiftly approve a modest package to revamp a $600 weekly unemployment benefit that’s running out. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., roundly rejected that approach as meager, all but forcing Republicans back to the negotiating table. Without action, the aid expires Friday. “We’re nowhere close to the deal,” said White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. He said they’re “miles apart.” Stark differences remain between the $3 trillion proposal from Democrats and $1 trillion counter from Republicans, a standoff that is testing Trump and Congress ahead of the November election and putting...

How Muni is Tackling the 10 Worst Delay Hot Spots Across SF

How Muni is Tackling the 10 Worst Delay Hot Spots Across SF By Cassie Halls The SFMTA has had its fair share of ribbon-cutting ceremonies over the last two years. These celebrations draw attention to some of our biggest projects. Also attention-worthy are some of the more incremental efforts happening at the agency. One such effort led by the Muni Forward team is the Transit Delay Hot Spots Program , launched in February 2020 . Muni Forward is known for corridor projects such as the L Taraval Improvement Project , 16 th Street Improvement Project , and M Oceanview Transit and Safety Project . These efforts are increasing the already sizeable 80 miles of transit reliability upgrades since 2014. There are also other ways we’re working to slash travel times and improve reliability across the Muni network. The Transit Delay Hot Spots Program aims to tackle the 10 worst “delay hot spots” each year, where buses crawl between stops at four miles an hour or less. We’re looking cl...

Smarter Traffic Signals Prioritize Transit and People

Smarter Traffic Signals Prioritize Transit and People By Robert Lim Have you ever wondered how traffic signals could better balance the needs of all road users, whether driving, bicycling, walking or taking Muni? The SFMTA is rolling out its Connected Corridor Pilot this month to use transit platform and traffic signal sensor data to inform signal timing adjustments. The pilot also aims to collect information to support transit efficiency and street safety improvements. Traffic engineers use signal timing adjustments as a tool to prioritize the flow of travel in specific directions or for different travel modes – Muni, people walking or driving – to meet the changing demands of the road network across different timepoints in a day. The Connected Corridors Pilot seeks to push the envelope of innovation by investing in advanced technologies, funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant. These tools will better position the city to serve the potential future ne...

Burundi to Vote in Tense General Election in Shadow of Virus Outbreak as President Steps AsideWhile Ethiopia decided to delay its election this year due to the pandemic, Burundi has pushed forward with the vote at all costs.

While Ethiopia decided to delay its election this year due to the pandemic, Burundi has proceeded with the vote at all costs. Burundians is going to vote Wednesday in a stressful general election, in spite of a huge outbreak of coronavirus which is necessarily impending first major challenge for the new president. President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, shocked observers by deciding to step aside, five years after a controversial third-term run plunged his country into political and economic crisis. while Ethiopia decided to delay its election this year due to the pandemic, Burundi has pushed forward with the vote at all costs, with heaving crowds of thousands attending political rallies, with only buckets of water and soap available as a nod to the virus. Burundi has so far officially recorded only 42 cases and one death from the virus, but doctors and the opposition accuse the government of hiding the true extent of the outbreak. The government has...

Vaccine-Related Service Changes Go into Effect November 1

Vaccine-Related Service Changes Go into Effect November 1 By Mariana Maguire An SFMTA staff person receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Woods Muni Maintenance Division To address operator shortages due to the city’s mandate that only vaccinated employees may work after November 1 , the SFMTA will temporarily suspend “short” line service on a few Muni lines. Short service refers to buses that run on a segment of a longer Muni route to help improve frequency on higher-ridership portions of the line. The long routes on these lines will continue to operate, connecting customers where they need to go. There will be no cancellation of any Muni routes in response to staffing challenges associated with the city’s vaccine mandate. Starting November 1, we are planning to temporarily suspend the 1 California Short , 14R Mission Rapid Short (weekends only), 30 Stockton Short, and 49 Van Ness Short (on weekdays only). These changes are intended to reduce impacts to service systemwide,...

Bus Testing on the New Van Ness BRT Corridor a Success

Bus Testing on the New Van Ness BRT Corridor a Success By Nehama Rogozen Muni and Golden Gate Transit staff recently conducted important bus operations testing that is an important step towards the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor opening this spring. This testing included emergency turns and maneuvers, repositioning buses, verifying signals are working, clearances between passing buses and safe turns while bike racks are deployed. The training also included several staff. Traffic engineers made sure traffic and transit signals were working and reviewed street markings. Transportation planners coordinated closely with operations, training, engineering and construction staff to make necessary adjustments. Outreach staff and ambassadors answered questions and made sure customers knew testing was taking place. Field manager...

CAA likely to be implemented from January: Kailash Vijayvargiya https://ift.tt/3gfxcjE

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act is likely to be implemented from January next year, as the Central government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are keen to grant citizenship to the large refugee population in West Bengal, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said on Saturday. The BJP national general secretary accused the TMC government of not being sympathetic to the cause of the refugees.

My precise view

Search This Blog