San Francisco’s Muni Metro launches ambitious upgrade for more reliable service

Credit: San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

In a bid to transform San Francisco’s transit landscape, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has announced that Muni Metro is embarking on a comprehensive modernisation initiative, aiming to enhance efficiency and reliability of its service. Recognising the limitations of the current Automatic Train Control System (ATCS), officials are steering the Metro towards a state-of-the-art Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) system.

The existing ATCS, rooted in 1980s technology, has been susceptible to equipment failures, leading to disruptions for daily commuters. The Train Control Upgrade Project (TCUP) seeks to rectify this by implementing CBTC, ensuring constant communication with all trains, early signalling for prioritisation, automatic software updates and more. Anticipated to reduce delays by an additional 20-25%, CBTC promises to make Metro operations smoother and more efficient.

Set to commence the pilot phase by 2025, TCUP signifies a transformative shift in Metro technology. This upgrade not only addresses current vulnerabilities but also paves the way for a future where passengers no longer experience the inconvenience of being stranded between stations due to congestion or communication failures.

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In addition, Muni Metro is also implementing short-term strategies to address immediate concerns and enhance current capabilities. Fix It! Weeks, a proactive approach to maintenance, has already demonstrated success by reducing delays by approximately 70%. By extending maintenance windows during these weeks, critical infrastructure improvements can take place, preventing potential breakdowns and ensuring a more reliable daily commute.

With buses substituting Metro services during Fix It! Week and dedicated Muni ambassadors guiding commuters at transfer points, the combination of long-term modernisation through TCUP and short-term interventions underscores Muni Metro‘s commitment to providing a swift, dependable and customer-centric transit experience. As San Francisco braces for significant growth, these changes are expected to help Muni Metro meet the evolving demands of the city, offering an enhanced travel experience for all.