SFMTA Proposes Removing 29-Sunset Bus Stops To Address Overcrowding

The 29-Sunset bus line, notorious for being jampacked with students heading to and from school, may soon get some much-needed help.

Planners at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency shared proposals for the second phase of the 29-Sunset Improvement Project, which includes fewer bus stops, new transit shelters and new or longer bus zones. The project area focuses on Junipero Serra Boulevard to the Bayview.

The 29 is the longest bus route in the system, traveling through the Bayview, Ingleside, Stonestown, Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods. Its buses travel near several elementary, middle and high schools, as well as City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. Approximately 17,000 passengers ride the 29 daily.

Besides overcrowding, passengers have complained about gaps in service or buses bunching together.

Transit advocates from the San Francisco Transit Riders have followed the progress of the first phase of the project, which focused on improvements on the western end of the route, by conducting a ride audit last year that identified issues along the bus route.

“Overall, SFTR is pleased with the proposed improvements unveiled by Muni for the second phase of the 29-Sunset project,” SFTR’s Mark Sawchuk told The Ingleside Light. “Many of the improvements address specific issues we identified last November during our 29-Sunset Ride Audit.”

Sawchuk said his group supported many of the proposed improvements, including consolidating bus stops, modernizing bus stop signage and improving safety elements for pedestrians outlined in the proposals.

“We are particularly pleased to hear that one of our recommendations — phasing out the crude bus stops marked only by yellow paint on nearby utility poles — has been adopted, and that Muni plans to add, at a minimum, metal signposts at all 29-Sunset bus stops,” Sawchuk said.

The SFMTA board of directors may take up the final proposal for consideration this fall, which may kickstart quick-build improvements as early as the winter.

Bus Stop Removal

The project proposes to remove bus stops at a dozen intersections. Project Manager Steve Boland said in a presentation on YouTube that bus stops being proposed for removal either do not meet the SFMTA’s bus stop standards, 800 feet minimum distance between stops.

Additionally, the proposed project includes removing bus stops that are “less busy” and do not connect passengers to major destinations, according to Boland.

Bus stops proposed for removal:

• Byxbee
• Victoria
• Jules
• Granada
• Holloway
• Paris 
• Naples
• Moscow
• Dartmouth
• Brussels
• Bayshore
• Gould

New Bus Zones

The SFMTA is proposing to either add or lengthen bus zones at several intersections. Bus zones are dedicated spaces at the curb where buses can pull in to pick up and drop off passengers.

Each new bus zone or lengthened bus zone may require the removal of up to four parking spaces. Some bus zones may not require removing any parking.

The bus stop at Cayuga will also have its bus zone extended, but it will be part of a different project in collaboration with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the SFMTA’s Slow Streets Team.

Bus stops proposed for new bus zones or lengthened bus zones:

• Beverly (westbound)
• San Jose (westbound)
• Cayuga
• Mission
• San Bruno/Mansell (westbound)
• Third (westbound)

Bus Stop Improvements

The proposed project includes several improvements to bus stops, such as new transit shelters with passenger seating and real-time information on bus arrival times.

Pending further analysis, the SFMTA is proposing to add new transit shelters at the westbound stop at Ocean Avenue/Interstate 280 ramp, the westbound stop at Persia Avenue and Mission Street, and at the eastbound stop at Mansell Street and Victoria Avenue.

Two transit boarding islands are being proposed for the two bus stops at Mansell Street and bus bulbs are being proposed at up to eight intersections.

Additionally, the SFMTA is proposing to add mental signs at all 29 bus stops in the project area. Some bus stops are only flagged with yellow paint on utility poles or on the street, which the SFMTA said makes it harder for riders to identify bus stops.

The SFMTA is also looking to add solar lighting at three to four bus stops as part of the agency’s Muni Stop Lighting Project. Planners are seeking feedback from the public on where the new lighting should be installed as part of the overall project survey.

Traffic Safety Improvements

Newly painted continental crosswalks are being proposed at four intersections as part of the project. At three of the intersections, the SFMTA is proposing to install median dividers, meant to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and encourage drivers to slow down.

Additionally, the SFMTA is proposing to remove a traffic lane in the northbound direction on San Bruno Avenue between Mansell Street and Paul Avenue. The agency said the removal of the traffic lane will increase the width of the remaining lanes, which will help the buses to easily get through the area. Bike lanes could also be added as part of the lane removal. Parking would not be affected by the proposed changes.

29R Sunset Rapid

A 29R Sunset Rapid route is not part of the proposal, but could happen in the future.

“It is one of Muni’s highest priorities, but it would cost money we unfortunately don’t have at the moment,” Boland said. “It’s not part of the proposal, but still part of our longer vision.”

He added that initial outreach for the project showed that a rapid route was a popular idea among passengers, Boland said. Lowell High School students in 2019 initially went to the SFMTA board to propose the idea of a rapid route.

Next steps

The SFMTA is currently doing outreach for the second phase of the project, including pop-up events, and the public can submit feedback through an online survey.

Self-guided open houses are also available through Sept. 10 at the Ingleside and Excelsior library branches.

The next pop-up event will be held on Sept. 15 at San Francisco University, Malcolm X Plaza, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

To provide feedback or request a community group presentation, contact better29@sfmta.com or 415-646-2410.