COVID-19 Developments & Response

Project Introduction

We are closely monitoring what is happening with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Please continue to check this page for the latest updates.

Last updated on July 30, 2020

July 30: Temporary modified Muni Metro and several Muni bus routes will be restored August 22
July 22: Deadlines for citation payments, protests and payment plans to resume effective September 1
July 1: Updated parking meter pricing
June 11: Added info about Shared Spaces permit to use the sidewalk or parking lane for businesses

Jump to topics using the linked list below:

COVID Muni Customer Reminders
Muni Service
Muni Alternatives
Parking Enforcement
Customer Service, Passes and Cards
Additional Resourses

COVID Muni Customer Reminders

Face coverings over the nose and mouth are required in San Francisco when outside of the home, including waiting for and riding Muni, or taking a taxi or shuttle. Please do not ride Muni if you are feeling ill, except as necessary to seek medical care after consulting with your medical provider. We're also asking customers to only take Muni for essential trips that can’t be made by walking, biking or other modes of transportation.

Backdoor boarding is required on all vehicles, except for passengers in wheelchairs or with other accessibility needs. If you need assistance, please request to board from the front door and an operator will help you access the ramp or the kneeler.

Muni Service

Muni Core Service Plan and Metro Service

In order to prioritize limited resources, Muni service is temporarily reduced to focus on our most-used lines. This approach allows Muni to continue to serve San Francisco’s medical facilities and focuses on equity to ensure service for our customers most reliant on transit.

Get route-specific details on all Muni lines that are currently in service

UPDATE: Beginning Saturday, August 22, several bus routes will be restored or extended and frequencies improved on some routes to continue to support essential trips and physical distancing. Temporary modified Muni Metro service will also be returning.

J Church: Surface-only line between Balboa Park and Church at Market
LK Taraval-Ingleside: New, temporarily combined L Taraval and K Ingleside route, surface-only line between SF Zoo and Balboa Park. Transfer required at West Portal for service to/from downtown.
- L Bus Construction Shuttle: Bus substitution between SF Zoo and Sunset Boulevard related to L Taraval Improvement Project construction
N Judah: Full line between Ocean Beach (La Playa) and Embarcadero
S Shuttle: New, temporary subway-only line between West Portal and Embarcadero
TM Third-Ocean View: New, temporarily combined T Third and M Ocean View lines between West Portal and Embarcadero

7 Haight-Noriega: Full route restored between Ortega Street at 48th Avenue and the Salesforce Transit Center using longer 60-foot buses
12 Pacific Community Shuttle: Modified route extended between Jackson at Van Ness and Sansome at Sutter
14 Mission: Route served by 60-foot electric trolley coaches instead of motor coaches.
28 19th Avenue: Weekend service added for modified route between Daly City BART and California at 7th Avenue
30 Stockton: Route extended to Crissy Field at Mason in the Presidio between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. All other times, the 30 Stockton terminal will be Divisadero at Chestnut
37 Corbett: Modified route restored between Twin Peaks and Market and Van Ness streets via Market Street
44 O’Shaughnessy: Full route restored between Hunters Point and California at 6th Avenue
45 Union-Stockton: Full route restored between Townsend at 4th Street and Lyon at Greenwich
48 Quintara-24th: Modified route restored between 20th Street at 3rd Street and West Portal Station
49 Van Ness-Mission: 60-foot buses replace the 40-foot buses
54 Felton: Full route restored between Hunters Point and Daly City BART
67 Bernal Heights: Full route restored between Ellsworth at Crescent and 24th Street BART Station
The following routes will have more frequent service: 8 Bayshore, 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid, 12 Pacific Community Shuttle, 14 Mission, 19 Polk, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 25 Treasure Island, 28 19th Avenue, 29 Sunset, 43 Masonic, 44 O’Shaughnessy

The temporary changes to Muni Metro are necessary to reduce chronic delays in the subway and improve rail reliability. Restoring Muni Metro service enables us to put more buses on more routes. Larger vehicles and more frequent service will allow for better physical distancing on higher-ridership routes for essential trips. We are able to make these changes due to an increase in staffing availability and additional bus cleaning programs. Decisions about where to increase the frequency of Muni service are informed by ridership and crowding data and equity considerations.

Map showing updated Muni Core Service Plan and also including supporting agencies BART, Golden Gate Transit and CalTrain. Golden Gate Transit is now picking up and dropping off passengers in San Francisco

Map of current Muni Core Service, including Golden Gate Transit, BART and CalTrain services in San Francisco.

Muni Owl Service

Late-night Owl service from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. instead of 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. All regular Owl routes are still operating with the exception of the 5 Fulton and 48 Quintara/24th Street, which are temporarily discontinued. The following lines will run 24 hours a day or provide special Owl Service:

L Owl*, N Owl*, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero*, 25 Treasure Island, 38 Geary, 44 O'Shaughnessy*, 90 San Bruno Owl, 91 3rd Street/19th Avenue Owl (*Owl route is different than daytime route)
See the COVID-19 Muni Owl Service Plan map for route details

Get Updates

For travel and transit updates, please visit our email and text alert subscription page. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest Muni and COVID-19 updates.

Muni Alternatives

Golden Gate Transit: Additional Bus Service

Golden Gate Transit has begun picking up Muni passengers at all Golden Gate Transit bus stops in San Francisco. Stops that were drop-off only or pick-up only will temporarily support local travel for both drop-offs and pick-ups.

Financial District service: Routes operate weekdays between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Financial District via Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf and Levi’s Plaza.
Civic Center service: Routes operate daily between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Salesforce Transit Center via Lombard Street, Van Ness Avenue and Mission Street.

Golden Gate Transit fares apply, and Clipper customers will need to both tag on and tag off at the end of their trip. Fares are as follow:

Adult Cash: $4.75 / Adult Clipper: $3.80 / Youth/Senior/Medicare/Disabled: $2.25 (no change)

Visit the Golden Gate Transit website for bus schedules and maps.Face coverings are required

Paratransit

Paratransit service continues to operate as normal so that customers can travel for essential needs. Face coverings are required when taking a taxi or shuttle. We ask riders to cancel any non-essential trips. If you are a paratransit customer and you need to cancel a previously scheduled SF Access trip, please call 415.285.6945 as soon as possible.

The SF Paratransit Office will operate with limited capacity during regular business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.). Teller window hours are subject to change.

During this time, reduced staffing will be available to accept cash payments for monthly taxi debit card allotments only.

Essential Trip Card 

Temporary transit changes are hard for many people with disabilities and older adults for whom walking farther to an alternate bus or paying for other transportation isn’t possible. To address this need, the SFMTA created the Essential Trip Card to help older adults and people with disabilities take and pay for essential trips in taxis during this crisis. 

Eligible participants will pay 20% of the cost of a regular cab ride fare for essential trips, up to $60 in value per month. If you are a 65+ years old or person with a disability, you can apply for the Essential Trip Card  by calling 311 and mentioning  the program or visiting the Essential Trip Card program page to learn more.

Shop-a-Round Helps You Get Around

Shop-a-Round is a convenient, low-cost shuttle or subsidized taxi ride that makes it easier to go grocery shopping. This SFMTA service offers registered seniors and people with disabilities personalized assistance and a ride to/from the grocery store.

Customers do not have to be ADA-paratransit eligible to use the service
The service takes customers to select supermarkets in San Francisco to shop
The driver will help carry groceries on and off the shuttle/taxi

Essential Worker Ride Home Program

The city’s Essential Worker Ride Home program supports essential employees in San Francisco impacted by public transportation reductions. The program offers a taxi ride home from work to qualifying participants. To be eligible, you must commute to work via a sustainable mode of transportation. This program now operates at all hours.

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on SF Environment's website.

Taxis and Ramp Taxis

Taxi services continue to operate as an essential service. Individual taxi companies are following best practices to minimize the risks of transmission. Face coverings are required.

To request a taxi you can continue to hail them in the street or at the nearest taxi stand. You can also search the taxi directory or the wheelchair accessible ramp taxi directory for links to apps and contact information.

The Emergency Ride Home program provided by official taxis will continue for individuals who work in San Francisco and are fulfilling essential job functions.

Taxi Drivers: Please see the COVID-19 Taxi Services Updates page or call 415.701.4400 for information on how Taxi Services is responding to the pandemic. The Taxi Services window is closed until further notice.

Bikeshare and Scooter Share

With roads that are relatively quiet, commuting by bike or scooter is easier than ever and an enjoyable alternative to getting around the city for essential trips. We are sharing best practices with operators that remain in service to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus.

Some operators are offering free membership, rides and/or support to healthcare and essential workers, along with modified service. For more information, visit operator sites for updates:

Find a bike route for your commute using SFMTA's bike network map. The San Francisco Bike Coalition can help new bike commuters and offers free webinars on urban cycling.

Carshare

Car sharing services continue to provide short-term rental of vehicles of various sizes for grocery shopping and other essential trips. Face coverings are required.

Slow Streets

Beginning the week of April 20, select streets will be closed to through vehicle traffic to prioritize walking or biking and to provide more space for social distancing during essential travel. Due to difficulty maintaining physical distance outdoors, many pedestrians are choosing to walk in the street, exposing themselves to vehicle traffic. The Slow Streets program allows roadways to be used more as a shared space for foot, bicycle and wheelchair traffic, taking advantage of low vehicle numbers on some roads.

Local vehicle access is allowed (e.g., driveway access for residents) and streets are not closed completely.
People walking/running in the street do not have the right-of-way over motor vehicles.
Once installed, Slow Streets corridors are in effect 24/7.
Face coverings are required

We continue to monitor the use of Slow Streets to minimize impacts on surrounding streets.

Learn more about Slow Streets and see a map.

Shared Spaces: Use the sidewalk, parking lane or street for your business

Apply for a free, temporary Shared Spaces permit to use the sidewalk or parking lane for business operations, like seating, dining or retail pickup. There are also options to work with surrounding businesses and residents for full street closure activations to support local merchants. This temporary, revocable permit is valid until December 31, 2020, unless otherwise specified.

Parking Enforcement

Street cleaning update: To ensure our streets are clean and ready to support the city as we reopen, parking violations for street sweeping enforcement have resumed. Please move your car on your designated street cleaning day(s).

Individuals who receive a street cleaning citation who are unable to move their vehicle should submit a citation protest to have their citation overturned. When completing the protest form you must either 1) submit proof of age (60+ years old), or 2) provide a letter from a healthcare provider indicating that you are part of a vulnerable population or have been instructed to quarantine/isolate.

Enforcement suspensions: Parking enforcement suspensions remain in place for the following:

72-hour parking limit and towing
All time-limited parking (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour, etc.) where there are no meters
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) permits
Commuter shuttles
Peak-hour towaway zones

Active enforcement: Parking rules that impact health and safety and support local business are being prioritized for enforcement:

Fire hydrant zones
Red and yellow zones; and "No Stopping" or "No Parking" zones
White passenger loading zones, except in front of schools while they are out of session
Blocked driveways, double parking and parking on sidewalks
Parking in bike or transit lanes
Parking meters

Parking Meters: Due to demand for parking near local businesses meter pricing was updated and parking meter enforcement reprioritized:

Restored meter rates with a $0.50/hour decrease. Meter rates vary throughout San Francisco, based on the demand for parking on the block and the time of day. The minimum rate will be $0.50 per hour. Motorcycle meter rates will be fully restored.
Parking meter time limits are in effect. This ensures that people don’t leave their vehicles in one space all day, preventing others from accessing commercial corridors.
We accelerated the demand-responsive pricing process. We typically adjust meter prices (up, down or stay flat) based on demand data every 3 months. These increases or decreases are in $0.25 increments to make sure our policy is reflective of how many people are using an area. With so many unknowns during the health crisis, we aim to adjust rates every 6 weeks so we can better reflect San Francisco’s changing needs.
SFMTA Parking Control Officers have resumed regular parking meter enforcement.

City Business Parking Permits: Expiration date on current permits has been extended from June 30, 2020 to September 1, 2020.

Parking Garages

To minimize risk to the public and our garage staff, the SFMTA has closed some city-owned parking garages and limited others to monthly pass-holders only. We are prioritizing maintaining access to garages that are near essential services like medical facilities or markets.

Closed: The following garages will be closed to the public until further notice

Moscone Center Garage (call 415-765-9069 for assistance)

Open to Monthly Pass Holders: These garages will be open only to monthly pass holders

Kezar Lot (call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Ellis-O'Farrell Garage - Enter and exit on Ellis Street (call 415-765-9069 for assistance)

Open to the Public: The following garages are currently open to the public

Zuckerberg General Hospital Garage
St. Mary's Square Garage
5th and Mission Garage
Sutter and Stockton Garage
Union Square Garage
Civic Center Garage
North Beach Garage
Vallejo Street Garage
Pierce Garage
Portsmouth Square Garage
7th and Harrison Lot
Japan Center Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Japan Center Annex Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Golden Gateway Garage (Weekdays on modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Lombard Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Mission-Bartlett Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
16th and Hoff Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Performing Arts Garage (Modified hours only, please call 415-956-8003 for assistance)
Polk-Bush Garage - (Modified hours only, please call 415-765-9069 for assistance)

Fines and Fees

UPDATE: Effective September 1, 2020, we will resume enforcing late penalties on parking and transit citations, and deadlines for submitting citation protests, payment and community service plan. Full payment of outstanding amounts due, or protests, for parking or transit citations issued before July 21, 2020, must be received on, or before, August 31, 2020. Standard timelines apply to all citations issued after July 21, 2020.

Payment options:

Submit payment online or by mail.
In person: Effective July 27, 2020, cash payments for citations will be accepted at SFMTA sales booths located at Bay and Taylor streets, Powell and Market streets, and Presidio Avenue and Geary Boulevard from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Requests for 48-hour tow hearings may be requested at hearingsgeneral@sfmta.com or by calling 415.701.5401.

Customer Service Center, Passes and Cards

The Customer Service Center at 11 South Van Ness Avenue is temporarily closed.

Lifeline Program Enrollment: Lifeline program applications are being accepted by mail and online
Lifeline Passes: No Lifeline passes will be sold until further notice. Lifeline IDs, regardless of the monthly sticker displayed, are valid as proof of payment
Clipper Cards: Go to the Clipper card website to order youth/senior Clipper cards by mail or for other sales locations

Get more info on SFMTA passes, cards and services

Regional Transit Card Discount ID Office

The Regional Transit Card Discount ID Office is temporarily closed.

You can download the RTC Renewal or Lost Card Application online to receive a new card through the mail. If you have any questions, please call 415.646.2224, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Get info on RTC replacement or renewal

Special Event Street Closure Permits

All special events are cancelled until further notice.

Lost and Found

Muni Lost and Found will be processed on a reduced schedule. Items will arrive at the lost and found office two to three business days from the time they are located, and it may take up to seven business days for you to be contacted.

To minimize exposure, we will only return critical items such as phones, medication, wallets, keys, travel documents, identification documents, etc. at this time. All other items may be picked up when the public health order is lifted and business resumes as usual.

COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Want to learn more about how the transportation system has been affected by COVID-19? Check out our COVID-19 Data Dashboard to see the data that is informing our COVID-19 and recovery planning.

Safety Measures We Are Taking

The safety of SFMTA employees and customers is our top priority. There remains no specific risk to transit or paratransit riders regarding Coronavirus, however, we are taking extra precautions to limit exposure.

Muni car cleaners, station custodians and paratransit personnel are cleaning vehicles and high-touch surfaces regularly. Daily vehicle cleaning includes safe, strong disinfectants on high-touch surfaces at the end of service. High-touch surfaces such as railings in Muni subway stations are cleaned approximately every four hours.

In addition to the extra cleaning protocols, we are requiring operators to always use their security partitions. Operators have been given guidance that they can skip stops if their vehicles become too crowded to maintain social distancing between passengers.

Safety Measures We Are Taking

Muni car cleaners, station custodians, and paratransit personnel are cleaning vehicles and high-touch surfaces regularly. Daily vehicle cleaning includes safe, strong disinfectants on high-touch surfaces at the end of service. High-touch surfaces such as railings in Muni subway stations are cleaned approximately every four hours.

You can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Visit the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites for recommendations on simple daily precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Get Updates

For city and local Department of Emergency Management updates about COVID-19, text "COVID19SF" to 888-777.

Get Your Own Muni Inspired Virtual Backgrounds

Whether you’re telecommuting, teaching or learning online, or staying home and riding Muni for essential trips only – do it in style with these Muni virtual backgrounds. Download, save and use Muni virtual backgrounds for any of your preferred video chatting platforms.

Additional Resources