How to Ride Muni: The Quick Start Guide

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With Muni, you’re just a ride away from everywhere in San Francisco. Every day, people board Muni more than 725,000 times to get them where they need to go. Follow these easy steps to get to your destination. 

Plan (Image: Hands holding a smartphone with a map open on the screen.)
1. Get Ready: Plan Your Trip

Riding Muni is easy. Make your trip even easier by planning ahead. 

Use the SFMTA Trip Planner.Download MuniMobile to plan your trip or check arrival times.Find maps and schedules at Muni stations and bus shelters.Locate your stop aboveground at bus shelters, platform islands, Muni signposts or painted utility poles, or underground at subway stations.

Pay (Image: Farebox)
2. Pay Your Fare: Use Easy Payment Options

There are many simple ways to buy your Muni fare. Want a discount? Use MuniMobile and Clipper to save $.25 per ride. (Seniors, students and people with disabilities get a $.10 discount.) Remember that proof of payment is required for all riders so keep it on hand your entire trip to avoid citations and fines. Kids ages 4 & under always ride for free. Use our products map to search places to locate where to buy your fare.

Clipper Card. Tag your Clipper Card at any door when you board. MuniMobile. Activate your fare just before boarding any door. At a Muni Metro station, show your fare to a station agent.Cash. Cash fareboxes are located at the front of each bus or train. Use exact change. Keep your transfer as proof of payment.Muni Ticket. Ticket Vending Machines can be found in all Muni metro stations.

Ride. Image: Customers riding a Muni bus.
3. All Aboard: Riding Muni

All set? When Muni arrives, wait until the vehicle comes to a complete stop and let others off before you board.

Board Any Door. If you use MuniMobile, Clipper, a transfer or other pass, enter whichever door you like. To pay cash, use the front door only. Hold On. Our city’s busy streets and steep hills can make for an exciting ride. Hold on to straps or posts to keep yourself steady or stay seated while Muni is in motion.Respect Priority Seating. Let’s keep priority seating available for those who need it most: seniors and people with disabilities. Consider giving your seat to someone who needs it more than you. Be a Good Neighbor. Smoking, eating, drinking, littering and listening to audio without headphones are not allowed on Muni.Share the Space. Keep aisles clear by placing bags and backpacks on your lap or in front of you and never on a seat, especially on a crowded ride. Remember to fold strollers before boarding. Enjoy the View. From the highest hills to the widest beaches, Muni takes you where you need to go. Take it all in and enjoy the scenery.

Exit: Image: A customer in a wheelchair alighting from a Muni bus.

4. You’ve Arrived

When nearing your stop, pull the cable cord or push the button to let the operator know you want to get off.

Gather Your Belongings. Be sure to collect all of your personal items before you go. Exiting. To exit, you may need to push a handle or bar to open doors. On some buses, you may need to step down into the stairwell.Say Thanks. Muni Operators get you where you need to go, safely and conveniently. Take time to thank your operator as you exit.Rate Your Ride. Use the Rate My Ride feature on MuniMobile to share feedback about your trip.

Note: Customers do not need to "tag" out of Muni Metro to exit. Fare gates have motion sensors and will open automatically. Simply walk through. This may be different from other transit services like BART and Caltrain, which do require customers to "tag" out.

 

Thanks for riding Muni.


Need help?

Muni Operators, Station Agents and Fare Inspectors are here to help. Ask for help any time or give us a ring at 311. If you have an emergency, call 911.