Commuting & Transportation

With the seventh-largest public transportation system in the United States, San Francisco offers commuters the combined capacities of BART, Muni and Caltrain. A significant portion of residents relies upon public transit as the primary means of shutting to, around and from the city.

The city's world-renowned cable cars and vintage streetcars are just a portion of the San Francisco Municipal Railway's (Muni) transportation fleet. Subway/surface light-rail vehicles and electric and diesel buses transport some 737,287 passengers daily, according to the city's Department of Transportation. Muni received high ranks in a 2002 survey - more than half of respondents rate Muni's service as either good or excellent, while only 8 percent rate the service as poor or bad.

Another mode of transportation that receives positive marks in City CarShare. Established in 2001, the car-sharing program has a fleet of 70 vehicles and more than 1,500 members who use cars by the hour. The successful program conserves natural resources and reduces parking demand.

Located north of San Francisco, Marin County provides a semi-respite from the turbulence of traffic and noise, but the price is an increase in commute times. For many, living in the scenic area far out-weighs the demands of the commute. One also has the option of using the convenient ferry services to the city as an alternative to the 45-minute bridge commute.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) opened service to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in 2003. BART serves Oakland, Berkeley and surrounding municipalities to the east of San Francisco, and down the Peninsula to the south of the city. East Bay residents use the regional transportation system more than any other community. The East Bay is also served by AC Transit buses and ferries, with direct links to Muni lines.

To the south of San Francisco and down the peninsula are residential communities including Menlo Park, Hillsborough and Palo Alto. Commuting is largely by car, but BART, bus and train service is available. Many Peninsula residents utilize Caltrain to carry them into the city, and there is currently a movement afoot to bring Caltrain directly into downtown San Francisco.

COMMUTER CHECK

Established in 1990, Commuter Check is a national program that aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and promote the use of public transportation. Employers issue vouchers to their employees for buying transit tickets, passes and tokens. The vouchers are offered as an employee benefit, either as a substitute for taxable salary (offered on a pr-tax basis like a 401K) or supplemental company-paid benefit.

Transit services in many US cities, including San Francisco, accept Commuter Checks for purchase of passes, tickets, and tokens. They are also accepted for vanpool fares.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

The San Francisco Bay Area Transit Information website includes links to the region's transit systems at www.transitinfo.org

Commuters travel into and out
of the city via BART on a daily basis.