Residents on 15th Avenue upset about bus changes

by Karen Kinney

Some Richmond District residents are outraged that Muni buses now travel down 15th Avenue.

Residents claim the buses on the new route have increased traffic, accelerated road damage and jeopardized pedestrian safety, especially at the Beth Sholom pre-school on the east side of 15th Avenue.

When Muni shortened the #2-Clement bus line, it created the need for a new terminus plan.

Now, buses traveling westbound on Clement Street travel around a city block and wait to make a return trip downtown. Eastbound buses make a left turn on 14th Avenue and travel to Geary Boulevard, where they make a right turn and travel to 15th Avenue, where they make another right turn to get back to Clement. The new terminus for the bus line is at an existing bus stop on the south side of Clement Street, just west of 14th Avenue (near Temple Beth Sholom).

Muni shortened the #2-Clement bus line in December 2009 due to low ridership on the final stretch of the line, and because Muni had to make service cuts to close a $129 million budget gap.

On June 15, David Dippel, who has owned a home on the 300 block of 15th Avenue for more than 38 years, sent a letter to the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) requesting a reconsideration of the latest terminus routing for the bus. He says the additional traffic has converted this once quiet residential street into a city boulevard. Dippel says buses now routinely rumble down the street at an accelerated speed and use their loud turn signal at hours that were once more peaceful.

"When the #2-Clement gets to Clement and begins its turn down 15th Avenue, the operators invariably hit the warning beeper," Dippel said. "This is annoying at any time, but especially at 5:30 a.m. and also through the dinner hour."

Dippel says the route change increased traffic in the area of the already congested intersection at 15th and Geary. When the intersection was changed from stop signs to stop lights, traffic increased and autos and buses started to speed toward the intersection to make green lights. Dippel says many of the larger beverage and box trucks for local businesses double park at the intersection, blocking #2-Clement buses trying to make a right turn.

"This double parking, coupled with a bus turning, creates a nightmare for cars as well as pedestrians," he said.

Another complaint many 15th Avenue residents make is a lack of notification from the MTA for the route change on their block.

Dippel and fellow 15th Avenue resident Bill Pearson claim no warning was given to residents on this densely populated corridor when Muni met in October 2009 to discuss bus route changes.

According to Pearson, the MTA held board and community meetings to discuss the merits of having buses travel on 14th or Funston avenues, but both alternatives were met with strong opposition - mainly from the congregation of Beth Sholom and the local group Park Presidio Neighbors, who felt the change put pedestrians at risk and that valuable parking spaces would be lost. Pearson says these groups were able to sway MTA's decision away from their direct areas because of their sheer numbers of supporters, but no one from 15th Avenue knew the street was being considered as part of the plan. He feels MTA's decision is not a true representation of the community's wishes.

Julie Kirschbaum, program manager at the MTA, said the department is serious about reaching out to stakeholders and is diligent about posting flyers in the community and holding informational meetings.

"We can always expand our network and do more outreach if necessary," Kirschbaum said.

She said the new route terminus has been in a preliminary analysis for the last six months while customer, business and operator feedback and the safety record of the area is evaluated.

"We believe we have heard many comments from the community. This is a very inclusive process and we have difficult choices to evaluate," Kirschbaum said. "This is a trial period because of the concerns of the neighborhood."

According to Kirschbaum, when determining whether a street is sufficient to handle transit activity, it considers the width of the street and how easily the bus can turn.

"We feel the #2-Clement is a valued service and needs a terminal, Kirschbaum said. "So far, the feedback we have received has shown on all fronts the terminal is working."

"Muni made that terminal turnaround work for them because they garnered two commercial spaces along 15th Avenue," said Pearson. "I've seen bus drivers struggle to make those turns because of double parked delivery trucks from the 7-11 store. I can't believe Muni thinks this solution is 100 percent effective."

Starting in October, Muni is giving the route an additional six months to gather more public reaction and reach out to stakeholders with additional meetings.