For use during Muni Metro Subway Prediction Outages and Service Disruptions
In the event of a Muni Metro Subway network systems and/or significant service delay incident - which could impact the Market Street Subway, the Central Subway, or both at the same time - the electronic signage in the subways on the mezzanines and platforms will default to a message directing riders to this page. The electronic signage in the subways (known as the "PAV") has a feature that displays a default message any time it experiences an issue receiving vehicle prediction data. If you see "For real time service info, visit SFMTA.com/Subway" rather than the train prediction times, you'll know that we are experiencing such an issue.
There are a few reasons that could cause such a data loss, and no single message could cover them all, so please consult the information below that addresses some of the most likely scenarios with evergreen suggestions to help keep riders on the move while our TMC staff and real-time team works to issue a specific service plan for riders.
On This Page
- Check for Real-Time Service Alerts
- Sign Up for Text or Email Alerts
- No Subway Predictions
- Subway Service Disruptions
Check for Real-Time Service Alerts
During weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., we have a dedicated team who work to provide real-time service alerts and information via Twitter/X, Bluesky, text & email, and SFMTA.com. These alerts are your best resource for finding out what is happening and what alternatives are available. The easiest way to check for the latest alerts is to click the link in SFMTA.com real-time info header found at the top of every SFMTA.com page (photo below for reference).
The alerts will appear in order from newest to oldest, with messages relating to the same incident typically being connected to help riders get up to speed on a particular incident more quickly. To read the alerts in full, you may click on the "show more" link next to each individual alert or "expand all" in the top-right corner of the page to expand all alerts on the page.
The alert messages are the same, regardless of how you choose to receive them (social media, subscription, SFMTA.com), and are sent simultaneously, so it is up to each individual to decide which delivery method works best for them.
Sign Up for Text or Email alerts
We strongly encourage riders to sign up for our real-time text and email alerts to receive information as quickly as possible directly from our team stationed in the Transit Management Center (TMC). This option allows riders to customize their alert preferences by route and the time of day, as well as opting to receive alerts by text, email or both, so that they receive only those alerts that relate to the Muni service that they use and when they use it. There is no limit to how many routes for which riders may opt to receive alerts. We will also proactively issue alerts for special events (e.g. Pride Parade, Fleet Week, etc.) that will impact service so riders can have a few days to plan ahead.
No Subway Predictions
In the event that the electronic subway signage (PAV) isn't receiving any data, the screens will automatically display the aforementioned default message. If our service alerts have confirmed that the issue is only a loss of vehicle predictions, then we encourage our patrons to breathe a sigh of relief, as trains will still be operating normally within the subway. While our staff works to restore the predictions, riders should watch for train arrival announcements on the PAV signs as trains enter the station; the arrivals use different data from the predictions, so the system will still accurately announce trains as they come into the stations. It's always a good idea to double-check the train's head sign for its line, too.
The following tables outline the scheduled service frequencies of each light rail line to use as a reference during those times when subway predictions may be down.
Subway Service Disruptions
If there is a subway service disruption within either the Market Street or Central subways, our staff in the Transit Management Center will work to both restore service and implement a contingency service plan to help keep riders moving during the disruption. As with any significant rail service delay, we will begin to organize shuttle buses to help provide interim service to the affected areas of the city, but we may also provide limited subway service with shuttle trains or with regular trains using subway track switches to either switchback (change direction) or to single-track (travel in both directions along one side of the subway or the other). Additionally, some trains may be switched back before they enter the subway in order to prevent congestion issues that may compound the delay.
Note: Please keep in mind that it can take several minutes to develop a service plan and longer still before any shuttle buses can be put into place to support the affected service area(s). If our real-time alerts have not yet issued guidance to riders, please consult the links below for alterative service options.
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Market Street Subway
Visit our Muni Metro Alternatives page or choose your rail line from the list below to get a summary of the best alternate transportation options available along each line:
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Central Subway