Muni managers and a DPT engineer got an earful June 6 from Pacific Heights residents about buses and drivers’ habits, focusing on the Jackson/Fillmore intersection, where four bus lines converge.

Fillmore merchants were equally vocal about needing white curbs, too many red curbs, the recent doubling of parking meter fees and the lack of two-hour meters.

More than 40 people attended the session organized by PHRA at the Calvary Presbyterian Church. PHRA President Greg Scott opened the meeting by listing some of the major problems:

In the end, DPT Engineer Tom Folks offered to walk the area with a representative of the merchants and PHRA to assess the white, red, yellow and green curbs. Supervisor Gavin Newsom offered his office to work out a solution to some of the Muni problems. And one of the Muni drivers present offered to speak to his colleagues to reduce double parking.

Muni Considers Moving Bus Terminal

The most heated and prolonged discussion was directed at the 12 Folsom bus and its drivers. Some residents contended that there are virtually no riders and all buses should be turned around at Van Ness. Failing that, the line’s terminal should be somewhere else. One person suggested Alta Plaza Park.

Residents of the area between Fillmore and Van Ness countered that the bus is essential to their getting around the city. Peter Straus, Muni Manager of Service Planning said that the terminal is in the proper place – the end of the line – and that ridership on all lines is thin at the beginning and end. Some neighbors, Straus said, ask why all buses don’t come out to Fillmore and why they don’t run on weekends and evenings.

A resident of Jackson Street at the end of the 12 Folsom route said there are always two buses parked in that bus zone, leaving no space for the 3 Jackson or the outbound 24 Divisadero. Often the inbound 24 will stop on Jackson instead of pulling into the bus zone on Fillmore, totally blocking the street and letting people out in the middle of the street. Because of all the schools in the area, that is exceedingly dangerous, she said.

The situation is particularly acute in the morning when trolleys parade down Jackson heading to other routes on Union and Stockton, while trucks unload on Fillmore and kids get to school.

Straus and Mary Travis-Allan, supervisor of Muni’s Presidio Division, also defended drivers who double park for a trip to the restroom, and the 12 Folsom drivers who park in the bus zone awaiting their start time. "We don’t condone double parking," Travis-Allan said, "but drivers are under great pressure from riders, from Muni and from Proposition E to meet the schedule." Straus said the double parking is part of the price of not extending the bus zone. He said he would study moving the terminal one block east, next to the Muni toilet, a less residential block. However, that would cost parking places.

DPT Will Study Colored Curbs

White curbs and parking meters were the primary concerns of Fillmore Merchants. Repeat Performance, the Symphony thrift shop at 2436 Fillmore, has been unable to get a white zone since moving to its present location six years ago. Instead it got 30-minute meters. Now, a representative said, people have difficulty in dropping off donations and Goodwill is reluctant to pick up unsold merchandise because its drivers are getting tickets for double parking.

A hairdresser was one of those who complained that his patrons need two hours in his shop and can’t feed meters in the midst of their treatment.

Another merchant suggested that yellow loading zones should end at 1 p.m. so customers could use them.

Others complained that

Criticism was also voiced against pedestrians who completely ignore signs and those who stand in intersections blocking traffic.

Gavin Newsom opened his remarks with the observation that he holds the record for having 27 stop signs installed, making Muni unhappy. He has also helped Muni move stops, but residents didn’t like that. He said he has great respect for Muni drivers and "couldn’t imagine doing it and keeping a smile."

Newsom said he introduced legislation last week for a white zone for Repeat Performance. He reminded residents and merchants that the Independent carries all legal notices, including the parking fee increase.

In response to a resident besieged by blaring Muni announcements that she can’t block out of her apartment, Newsom said he would try to get the sound turned down.

He endorsed the idea of walking the neighborhood, and said, "I’ll see to it that we’ll have neighbors’ input." That walk will include looking at little red no-parking strips beside driveways, which, according to one resident, are rigorously enforced.

Newsom had two additional announcements