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About SFMTA Accessible Services

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is committed to providing exceptional transportation services that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. SFMTA provides transportation via bus, light rail, historic streetcar, cable car and paratransit to seniors and people with disabilities who live in or are visiting San Francisco.

For specific information about accessible public transit services, review the Muni Access Guide

Transportation and information services for persons with disabilities:


Accessible Services Contacts

One South Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor
San Francisco, California 94103-1267

Phone: 415.701.4485
Fax: 415.701.4728

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
or call the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center.


Accessible Muni bus lines

All Muni bus service is accessible for people with disabilities and seniors via wheelchair lifts, ramps and kneelers.


Muni Metro accessibility

All Muni Metro underground stations (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center, Van Ness, Church Street, Castro Street, and Forest Hill) are accessible via street-to-concourse elevators and concourse-to-platform elevators.

Elevator and Wayside Lift Status:

To find out about the status of an elevator or wayside lift prior to entering the Metro system, call the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center.

map of Muni Metro, showing accessible Metro stops
Map of accessible stops on Metro lines

The surface portion of the following Metro lines are accessible at the following wayside platforms and surface-level stations: J, K, L, M, N. The T is fully accessible.

J Church accessibility:

  • Church and Duboce (J, N)
  • Church @ 18th (J)
  • Church @ 24th (J)
  • Church @ 30th (J)
  • San Jose @ Randall (J)
  • Balboa Park Station (J, K)

K Ingleside accessibility:

  • West Portal Station (K, L, M)
  • St. Francis Circle (K, M)
  • Junipero Serra @ Ocean (K)
  • Ocean @ Jules (K)
  • Ocean @ Lee (K)
  • City College (K)
  • Balboa Park Station (J, K)

L Taraval accessibility:

  • West Portal Station (K, L, M)
  • Taraval @ 22nd (L)
  • Taraval @ Sunset (L)
  • San Francisco Zoo (L)

M Ocean View accessibility:

  • West Portal Station (K, L, M)
  • St. Francis Circle (K, M)
  • Stonestown (M)
  • San Francisco State University (M)
  • Randolph @ Arch (M)
  • Broad @ Plymouth (M)
  • Geneva @ San Jose (M)

N Judah accessibility:

  • Caltrain Station/King @ Fourth (N)
  • King & Second Station (N)
  • Brannan Station (N)
  • Folsom Station (N)
  • Church @ Duboce (N)
  • Duboce @ Noe/Duboce Park (N)
  • Cole @ Carl (N)
  • UCSF/Arguello @ Irving (N)
  • Judah @ Ninth (N)
  • Judah @ 19th (N)
  • Judah @ Sunset (N)
  • Ocean Beach (N)

T Third accessibility:

All stops on the T Third Line between West Portal and Sunnydale are accessible.


F Market accessibility

The F Market Line, which runs vintage streetcars along Market Street and the Embarcadero is accessible at most stops. The streetcars run on tracks in the center of the street and are accessed via pedestrian boarding islands. There are accessible wayside platforms, or wayside lifts, at Key boarding islands along Market Street. All stops from Front Street to Fisherman's Wharf are accessible via wayside platforms. The following stops are accessible via accessible wayside platform, unless a lift is noted, Inbound toward Fisherman's Wharf or Outbound toward the Castro district:

Inbound F (towards Fisherman's Wharf):

Market Street stops Embarcadero & Fisherman's Wharf stops
  • Market @ Castro
  • Market @ Noe
  • Market @ Sanchez
  • Market @ Church (wayside lift)
  • Market @ Dolores
  • Market @Guerrero
  • Market @Gough
  • Market @Van Ness
  • Market @ Seventh
  • Market @ Fitth (wayside lift)
  • Market @ Third
  • Market @ First (wayside lift)
  • Market @ Main
  • Steuart Street (near Mission)
  • Ferry Terminal (The Embarcadero @ Market)
  • The Embarcadero @ Washington
  • The Embarcadero @ Broadway
  • The Embarcadero @ Green
  • The Embarcadero @ Greenwich
  • The Embarcadero @ Chestnut
  • The Embarcadero @ Bay
  • The Embarcadero @ Stockton
  • Jefferson @ Mason
  • Jefferson @ Taylor
  • Jones @ Beach

Outbound F (towards Castro Street):

Fisherman's Wharf and Embarcadero stops Market Street stops
  • Jones @ Beach
  • Beach @ Mason
  • Beach @ Stockton
  • The Embarcadero @ Bay
  • The Embarcadero @ Chestnut
  • The Embarcadero @ Greenwich
  • The Embarcadero @ Green
  • The Embarcadero @ Broadway
  • The Embarcadero @ Washington
  • Ferry Terminal (The Embarcadero @ Market)
  • Steuart Street (near Mission)
  • Market @ Drumm
  • Market @ Battery
  • Market @ Kearny
  • Market @ Fifth (wayside lift)
  • Market @ Hyde
  • Market @ Van Ness
  • Market @ Gough
  • Market @ Laguna
  • Market @ Buchanan
  • Market @ Church
  • Market @ Sanchez
  • Market @ Noe
  • 17th @ Market
  • Castro @ Market

Cable car accessibility

The historic cable car service is generally not accessible. If you would like more information regarding access to these vehicles or this service, please call SFMTA Accessible Services at 415.701.4485. Muni does provide accessible historic streetcar service on the F Market Line.


Muni discounts for seniors and individuals with disabilities

About discount fares Cash fares Disabled pass info
RTC Discount Card program Senior Pass Info Paying cash at Metro stations

Muni participates in the Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card Program, which provides discounts for persons with disabilities, seniors (65 years of age and over) and Medicare card holders. The RTC card makes it easier for customers to demonstrate their eligibility for reduced fares on fixed-route transit, bus, rail and ferry systems throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Cash fares are for the occasional customer or visitor and are valid for one trip plus transfers, up to 90 minutes. A Monthly pass may be a more economical option for the frequent Muni customer.

Cash fares:

  1. Customers who have a valid discount ID may travel on Muni for $0.75 per trip. Discount ID for customers include the following valid:
    • RTC Discount ID;
    • DMV disabled  placard registrations plus photo ID, or
    • discount card from another transit agency in California plus photo ID.
  2. Seniors (65+) also pay $0.75 per trip. Seniors are not required to obtain an RTC Discount Card, and can use any valid ID. Forms of ID for seniors are a valid:
    • Senior ID,
    • RTC Discount Card,
    • driver's license,
    • California ID or,
    • government-issued passport.
  3. Medicare card holders may travel on Muni for $0.75 per trip. They must present their Medicare card and a valid photo ID.

Monthly passes:

  1. Customers with disabilities who have valid RTC Discount Photo ID Cards may travel for unlimited rides within a month on Muni by loading a discounted monthly pass to their RTC Discount Photo ID Card.  Do this by visiting ClipperSM at clippercard.com, going to a ClipperSM retailer or calling 877.878.8883.
  2. Seniors (65+) may buy a monthly Senior Pass. Seniors are not required to obtain an RTC Discount Card, and can use any valid ID. Valid forms of ID for seniors are a valid :
    • Senior ID,
    • RTC Discount Card (no Muni sticker needed),
    • driver's license,
    • California ID or
    • government-issued passport.
  3. These monthly fare items are valid on Muni vehicles only. There is a Senior/Disabled Pilot Pass Program to test a pass that is also valid on BART within San Francisco.


RTC Discount Photo ID Card applications are available at:

SFMTA Discount ID Office
One South Van Ness, 6th Floor Reception
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.923.6070
Applications accepted Monday-Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For complete information about this discount program, including information on eligibility (basic vs. medical) and what you need to bring with you when you apply, see Regional Transit Connection Discount Card Program information or call 415.923.6070.


"S" Pass for seniors

image of Senior Pass (5kb)Senior Clipper card

Seniors (65 and older) may use the Senior discounted pass. The Senior pass is available for $15 each month.

Valid forms of ID for seniors are a Senior ID, an RTC Discount Card (no Muni sticker needed), a valid driver's license, California ID or government-issued passport.

A list of pass vendors is available.

The Senior Pass may also be purchased online.


Paying discount fares in Metro subway stations:

Important: This is only a brief summary. Full Proof of Payment information, including procedures and violation fines, is in the fares section of this site.

  • Customers paying cash fares must show ID and pay their fare at a staffed station agent booth.
    • Valid ID for seniors and customers with disabilities may be any of the following: RTC Discount ID (no Muni sticker needed); Medicare cards (not Medi-Cal) plus photo ID, or DMV placard registrations plus photo ID.

    • Valid ID for seniors may be any of the following: RTC Discount ID (no Muni sticker needed), Senior ID, Drivers License, California ID or government-issued passport.

  • If the Muni station agent booth is staffed:
    • RTC Discount Cardholders.  If you have not loaded a pass to your ID card, then show the RTC Discount Card with valid monthly sticker (these will be discontinued as of October 2010) to the Muni Station Agent when entering the Paid Area, the part of the station within the fare gates. 
    • Seniors: if you do not use a Clipper card, insert your paper Senior Pass in the fare gate and show ID to the Muni Station Agent when entering the Paid Area.
  • If the Muni station agent booth is unstaffed:
    • RTC Discount Cardholders, with a valid discount fare sticker attached to the card, may enter the Paid Area through the swing gate near the unstaffed booth. The buzzers on these gates have been disconnected and signs have been installed indicating that customers with valid ID cards and stickers or valid passes may use the gates for entry. The customer must possess their RTC Discount Card, with attached fare sticker, throughout their trip.
    • Seniors with a valid pass may insert their pass in the fare gate, and must possess their pass and valid ID throughout their trip.
  • Operation of the swing gates: Please note: There are two different kinds of swing gates, depending on the Muni station. A solid blue gate swings both ways, and can simply be pushed to open. A gate with metal bars only swings outward, from the paid area to the unpaid area; to open this gate from the outside, reach over the gate, grasp the bar away from the hinge, and pull the bar toward you to release the gate.

Riding tips for passengers with visual impairments

Braille signage on vehicles

Muni vehicles have Braille and raised letter signage to indicate the vehicle number of the bus you are riding. This is helpful information if you want to report a complaint or commendation about the service you're receiving from Muni. The signage is located about five feet above the floor of the bus, on a panel directly behind the driver and is located as close to the aisle as possible.

Braille signage in stations

Braille and raised letter station identification signage has been installed at the entrances to all Muni Metro underground stations to assist blind and low-vision passenger in identifying the station. These signs can typically be found on the inside surface of the low walls surrounding the entrances to the stations. Braille and raised letter station identification signs have also been installed on the platform level of the stations. In the Muni-only stations (Van Ness, Church Street, Castro, Forest Hill, and West Portal), the platform-level signage can be found in the frame of the elevator doorway on the platform level. In the BART-shared stations (Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, and Civic Center), the platform-level signage has been installed near the handrail of the up-escalators on the platform level.

Talking Signs

Talking Signs are devices that provide navigational information to blind and low-vision passengers. Passengers use a hand held receiver which reads messages emitted by infrared beams from transmitters installed at various locations. The Talking Signs provide way finding information and identify important points along the path or travel such as station agent booths, ticket vending machines, and fare gates.

Talking Signs transmitters have been installed at the Muni/BART Powell Street Station; at surface-level stations at SF State and Stonestown on Muni's M-Oceanview; and at the Folsom, Brannan, 2nd and King, and Caltrain stations on the N-Judah. Talking Signs are also a feature of the new T-Third line, effective with the start of service.

Muni is installing Talking Signs transmitters on some of its bus shelters. This will allow a visually impaired person to know when they have reached the bus shelter and which bus lines serve the shelter.

Talking Signs for transit are also being linked with Talking Signs for street orientation. Yerba Buena Gardens, the new Main Library, and nearby intersections have Talking Signs to provide directional information in the area around Yerba Buena Gardens and Civic Center.

If you are interested in trying out a Talking Signs receiver, please contact the Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 415.431.1481 and ask about their free receiver lending program.


Service animals

Trained service animals are allowed to ride free of charge on all Muni vehicles. Customers traveling with a service animal should notify the operator immediately upon boarding. Service dogs may travel without a muzzle but must be on leash. All service animals must be kept under control by their owners. Service animals may sit on their owner's lap or under a seat but may not occupy a seat. Passengers with disruptive or destructive service animals may be asked to remove them from the vehicle.


Frequently asked questions

What is the "kneeler"?

A kneeler can be found on all lift-equipped buses. The kneeler lowers the front of the bus, brings the steps closer to the ground and allows easier boarding for those who have difficulty managing steps. Just ask the driver to lower the kneeler if you need it.

What is Muni's policy about working animals on its vehicles?

At any time of day, trained service animals for the disabled may ride Muni at no charge. This is under 49 Code of Federal Regulations Section 37.167(d). A service animal must be leashed and under its owner's control, but does not have to be muzzled.

Can someone teach me how to ride Muni?

Muni provides a free travel training program geared towards assisting seniors and persons with disabilities in using bus and light rail services. Individualized or small group trainings are provided by peer trainers who often are persons with disabilities themselves. The training provides an overview of accessibility features on Muni, tips for using the service, and hands on instruction on board Muni. It is a great way to gain skills and confidence in using Muni. To receive more information or to request a travel training session, please call 415.351.7000 or TTY 415.351.3942.


Paratransit services

As part of its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Muni provides subsidized door-to-door van and taxi services for persons with disabilities who are unable to utilize bus and light rail services either some or all of the time. To be eligible for services, individuals must be certified under the eligibility guidelines of the ADA. To receive more information on services or to request an application, please call the Paratransit Broker office at 415.351.7000, TTY: 415.351.3942. Full information about the Paratransit program is also available on the San Francisco Paratransit Web site including hours of service, eligibility requirements, and Customer's Guides.

The San Francisco Paratransit Broker's office is located at 68 12th Street (between Market Street and Mission Street). The location is served by the following lines, which are accessible except as noted:

  • F Market & Wharves
  • All Metro lines (at Van Ness station)
  • 6 Parnassus
  • 7 Haight
  • 9 San Bruno
  • 14 Mission
  • 14L Mission
  • 47 Van Ness
  • 49 Van Ness/Mission
  • 71 Haight/Noriega
  • 71L-Haight/Noriega Limited

All paratransit business such as scrip sales, photo identification and intake services takes place at this office.

San Francisco Paratransit Broker
Veolia Transportation
68 12th Street
San Francisco, California 94103-1297

Main Number: 415.351.7000
TTY: 415.351.3942
General Fax: 415.351.3134

 

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