Bring T-line to the Marina next

Phase II of San Francisco Muni Metro’s T-line is nearing completion, including three stations of the Central Subway, and ending at Chinatown. Now it is time to move forward with the subway’s extension to North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf, and possibly to the Marina and the Presidio. This will complete one of the rapid transit corridors first approved by voters 30 years ago.

In 2014, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency issued a detailed study showing that not only is this extension feasible, it would increase T-line daily ridership by more than 40,000 and would be very competitive for federal funding.

San Francisco’s urban transit system is among the slowest in the country, and the northeast neighborhoods have some of the least reliable transit in the city. A trip to Market Street from Russian Hill takes at least half an hour; from the Marina, it takes about 45 minutes. These neighborhoods, which are among the city’s densest, need improved transit service.

Fisherman’s Wharf, an major employment center and tourist destination, is cut off from the rest of the city and the region by the unavailability of adequate transportation.

The subway extensions’ service area includes highdensity residential districts, including North Beach, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Cow Hollow and the Marina, as well as popular visitor destinations. With convenient transfers to local and regional rapid transit systems at Powell Street and the Caltrain terminal, this extension will complete a strong north-south link to complement existing service.

This transit extension is supported by resident associations, by business groups such as the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and by transit advocates. The northeast neighborhoods are looking to the mayor, the SFMTA board and the Board of Supervisors to build this important addition to San Francisco’s transit system.