Thanks MUNI Patron!

There are few things worse for the MUNI rider than running--sprinting as fast as physically possible--trying to get to the bus/train before it pulls away. It's a horrible feeling to see the vehicle of your desire leave you behind.

Even more infuriating is when the driver sees you and drives away anyway. I can't help but feel like certain drivers get some sick sense of pleasure by wielding their control in riders' lives in such a negative fashion. On more than one occasion my desperate attempts to flag down a nearly departing bus or light rail train have proved futile. Instead of sneaking aboard on the nick of time, I find myself temporarily stranded after having yelled and waved at the lead-footed driver in what turned out to be a very useless (and desperate) attempt to get his/her attention.

But, last week something amazing happened. I was in a rush (as usual) to make the train. I had hurried through the turnstiles, around the corner, past some sauntering couples, flew down the stairs, and was on the break-away headed straight for the train. I was approaching--within earshot of the dinging sound the doors make when they are about to close. I knew it was going to be close; in fact I knew it was likely that I wouldn't make this train. However, I knew I had to try. As I near the last entrance of the train, a man steps forward, extends his arm and sticks it inside the closing doors, delaying the train just enough so I can board. This event is the single nicest, selfless, and thoughtful act I've witnessed in the past four years I've been riding MUNI.

So, if you're out there kind sir, know that your helpful act made my day! I can't tell you how grateful I am!

Just attach a car.

I don't understand one-car MUNI trains. Seriously, how hard is it to just hook up a second vehicle? It seems like common sense to me (but then again, common sense appears to be completely lost on the SFMTA).

Anyway, tonight I found myself at the N-Judah stop at the intersection of Church and Duboce Streets. It was around 6:30 p.m. To my shock and horror an outbound one-car crammed with people pulled up to the stop. Um, it is rush hour, right?

I didn't even try to puncture someone else's bubble. And, turns out MUNI was able to slightly redeem itself by bringing another N only moments later--a two-car.

You would think that considering the state of the previous car, this one would be relatively less populated. Think again. I barely made it on.

Oh, and, to top it off, I saw a broken down bus later on my trip home. Way to go MUNI!

When it rains...MUNI stops working?

Remember about two weeks ago when it poured rain for a couple two days? I do. You know why I do? I remember those days because after I got dressed, I did the same thing I always do in the morning--check NextMUNI. However, unlike most mornings, I got this lovely surprise: Please note the time in the upper right hand corner. No, your eyes have not failed you. You are seeing correctly. Good 'ol, trusty NextMUNI predicted the nearest inbound N-Judah to be a mere 50 minutes away. Oh, only 50 minutes! I'll only be about an hour late to work, no problem! But, I mean that is provided I would even make it on that train. Let's be rational here. On normal mornings when there's more than 10 minutes between trains, a noticeably uncomfortable increase in per capita riders is likely. I don't even want to be threatened with having to ride that train 50 minutes away.

I understand San Franciscans aren't accustomed to what people in most other parts of the world would call "real" weather. So, I should expect that our public transportation system is unprepared for such weather. But just because it rains more than expected, shouldn't mean people can't get to work! Am I right?

Hygiene

Early morning commuters are notorious for their multitasking and MUNI riders are no exception.

I expect to see women applying needless amounts of makeup and men fiddling with the latest iphone app (both also juggling large mugs full of some kind of caffeinated liquid). It's not unusual to see a rider talking on the phone while trying to read the paper or whatever book they just downloaded to their Kindle. Those acts are commonplace.

I don't expect to see (let alone mention sit next to) a man clipping his fingernails on the N-Judah at 9:28 am. For the record, it is never OK to leave the discarded bits of trimmed fingernails on any mode of transportation, but this is especially true during a crowded morning commute on one of the busiest MUNI lines. In fact the only thing that would make this story worse, would be if he had been cutting his toenails.

Please, imagine the horror I felt (and the reflexes I held back) when I looked over and saw a man casually letting pieces of his nails fall and fling where they may. He didn't seem bothered by their destination, or whether or not they hit others along their way.

I wanted to say something, but I wondered: What's worse, inconsiderate, public fingernail clipping? Or pointing out to someone that public fingernail clipping is inconsiderate?

I was unable to answer the question by the time I got to Montgomery Station, so I had no choice but to look away, close my dropped jaw, and go about my day.

Welcome to TDMR!

It is my belief that most San Franciscans can agree on one thing--the city's public transit system is horrible.

Really, the most reliable aspect of MUNI is its unreliability. Frequent riders face everything from delays to breakdowns and uncomfortably overcrowded trains to outrageous fare increases. And that's just the beginning.

Everyone I know has a story about something they've seen on a bus or train (most often something someone has done or said). So, that's what gave me the idea for this blog. As a regular MUNI rider I have to depend on the undependable and therefore put myself in a position for not only constant disappointment, but also constant entertainment (and sometimes livid irritation) of the riders aboard this city's pathetic means of mass transportation.

That being said, I do understand how fortunate I should feel to have a way to get around the city without the expense of a car. But, is it that hard to ask that it be functional? And more than that, why can't it strive to be exceptional? Think about how many thousands of people use MUNI as their main means of getting around in this city...and further, think about how much time they spend doing that...it adds up my friend.

After several years of putting up with MUNI and all the pain and heartache it has caused me, I'm now ready to lash out--and take my anger to the cyber-streets.

TDMR, Tales of Disastrous MUNI Rides, now serves as an outlet to express MUNI related frustration. Let the ranting begin.