Exciting News: New Community Shuttle Coming to Bayview-Hunters Point!
In a collaborative effort, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is teaming up with the California Air Resources Board and nine community-based organizations to introduce an innovative community shuttle tailored to your needs. This initiative, fueled by funding from California Climate Investments, aims to utilize Cap-and-Trade dollars for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting the economy, and enhancing public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
This unique community shuttle, termed a "dynamic service" shuttle, deviates from traditional fixed-route buses by operating within a designated "service area." Instead of following a predetermined path, the shuttle will pick up and drop off passengers throughout this service area, providing improved accessibility to destinations that were previously challenging to reach. Recognizing the geographic isolation of the Bayview community, the need for such a shuttle was pinpointed in the Bayview Community Based Transportation Plan.
Currently, our focus is on defining the service area to ensure it aligns with the community's needs. To gather valuable insights, we hosted 28 events engaging with nearly 2,000 residents. However, understanding that not everyone can attend community meetings or events, we conducted an online and paper survey, receiving input from 629 residents who identified 1,060 specific places they wished to access through the shuttle.
The survey results revealed a diverse range of preferences, with many expressing a desire for short trips within the Bayview community. Additionally, 76 individuals emphasized the need for connections to specific transit lines, such as the T Third. Some residents identified destinations already served by existing Muni lines, like Chinatown, and while a direct shuttle to these locations might not be feasible, direct access to the T Third could significantly ease such journeys.
Your input is crucial, so please share your thoughts! Stay informed by signing up for project updates, which include details on upcoming meetings, including our Community Congress on January 24th. Additionally, you can reach out to us via email at BayviewShuttle@sfmta.com.As we actively seek your input on priorities, we're also in the process of selecting a company to operate this shuttle service. With your feedback, we aim to kick off the service by mid-2024.