The SF Examiner reports today that SFMTA has finally decided on a location for the new 2 Clement terminal. This is the spot where the bus parks and idles before heading back downtown.
As you may recall, the upcoming MUNI cuts will result in the 2 Clement no longer traveling all the way out to 33rd Avenue, and instead, turning around at Park Presidio. As a result, the MTA has been in discussions with neighbors in the area about the best route for the turnaround and location for the new terminal. The public meetings have been heated as residents from Funston, 14th and 15th Avenues expressed their concerns about the turnaround and terminal creating traffic clogs, safety hazards for pedestrians, and a reduction in parking spaces.
Nevertheless, a decision had to be made. MUNI will experiment with a six month trial of the bus turning left on Park Presidio, right on Geary, and then right onto 15th Avenue. It will then turn back onto Clement Street, with the terminal being located on the southern side of Clement street near 14th Avenue (see the red circle in the map below).
According to the Examiner article, “Muni planning officials said they will monitor the situation of the 2-Clement, and reevaluate the route after the six-month pilot has expired.” It’s unclear when this new route will take effect.
UPDATE: Streetsblog reports that after the 6 month trial, the Clement Street stretch of the 2-Clement may be moved to California Street, with the line being converted to an electric trolley bus service. Get all the details here.
Sarah B.
The new turnaround and terminal for the shortened 2 Clement route.
That’s really too bad, especially since at the neighborhood meeting they were leaning towards not putting it there. I suppose its the best they can think of right now, but definitely dissappointing for the neighborhood.
That makes sense. There’s nothing but the greenbelt there, so at least it won’t be in front of residences or businesses.
Where did the neighborhood want the terminal to be?
Hi Stacy – There was never a runaway favorite for the location of the new terminal. One proposal was across from the synagogue on 14th Avenue. Another was at the corner of Funston near Geary, across from the now defunct gas station. And the turnaround via Funston and then back on Park Presidio was discussed as well. There may have been other options on the table too.
Sarah B.
Thanks for the info. That gas station on Geary is up and running again, btw.
Frankly, I don’t see the point of converting the 2 to a Trolley Route. It’s irrelevant.
The line should drop altogether given the low ridership but that would not make money for the city hall buddies with electrification would it? The approach of Muni traditionally has been slow to change routes and a certain amount of inflexability to create or subdivide exisiting route. (ex: 38 Geary and the $300 million BRT project. Savings go on the backs of riders with poor on time performance, spending goes on at the exec level. If you ever go to the Muni headquarters look at the shelves of expensive reports and Grand Jury writeups. They all read pretty much the same and have one important thing in common. The layers of dust on them. At least they are not spending 2 BILLION dollars to underground the clement line like from the Caltrans station to nowhere and back.
According to the linked article, it’ll be in front of the synagogue (IMO the best solution since it’s pretty much a big blank wall–unlikely to bother anyone inside).
If it switches to California, won’t that mean that the 2-Clement will never go on Clement? Strange.