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SFMTA Announces Double Stopping Feature to Start this Weekend

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Muni Metro Double Stopping Flyer 5.21.15.pdf

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which manages all transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), today announced that the double stopping feature will begin in select subway stations starting Sunday, May 24. This feature allows riders to get where they are going faster by allowing two trains to stop and open doors at the same time. This will also help manage tunnel congestion and improve safety for customers at the platform.

“San Francisco is creating a world-class and more affordable public transportation system for our growing city and growing public transportation ridership,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “The double stopping feature for light rail vehicles will ensure we continue to move our residents and visitors around our city more efficiently, reliably and safely and meet the demands of our successful and growing city and in all of our neighborhoods.”

 

“My office has been working with the MTA for months to get double stopping launched, and I’m grateful the day has come,” said President of the Board of Supervisors London Breed. “The Market Street tunnel is simply over capacity, and that causes a lot of the delays and discomfort Muni riders experience—both in the tunnel and on the street.  We need to build more subway capacity, and until we have it, we need to make the existing system as efficient as possible.  Double stopping is a good step to help the growing number of San Franciscans who line up in Muni subway stations every day.”

 

Double stopping is planned for inbound trains at Montgomery, Powell and Civic Center stations where platforms are long enough to allow two trains. The feature will only occur at times of heavy congestion, most likely during the morning and evening commute. Train arrival announcements will be for trains in the first position only.

 

“Our crews have been working diligently preparing this upgrade of our train control system to allow for safe double stopping,” said Ed Reiskin, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “Over the years, Muni riders have voiced a desire to be able to get off the train when it reaches their destination rather than being held at the platform waiting for the train in front of them to clear the station. This new feature will help riders get to where they’re going faster and better manage congestion in the station.”

 

How does double stopping work?

 

  • Train 1 will pull to the front of the platform to let riders on and off;
  • Train 2 will pull behind Train 1, allowing customers to get off the train immediately;
  • As Train 1 leaves the station, Train 2 will pull forward to allow customers to board.

 

The double stopping flyer provides more details for riders.