SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Muni riders in San Francisco value reliable service above all else — and it happens to be the one thing they say they’re not getting.

Nearly 90 percent of 3,000 people who took a recent Muni rider survey said reliability is the “most important service aspect” when it comes to riding The City’s buses and trains. Peak service, travel time and more information followed close behind.

When asked, “When you don’t ride Muni, why not?” about 65 percent of those surveyed said the system is unreliable and has slow service. About 30 percent of respondents said having to transfer buses keeps them away, while about 15 percent said inconvenient route locations are deterrents.

Along with the San Francisco Controller’s Office, Muni conducted an online and paper survey last spring as part of the Transit Effectiveness Project, the first major review of the system in 25 years. Full results from the rider survey are expected next month, Sally Allen of the Controller’s Office said. A separate survey for seniors and people with disabilities is ongoing.

Allen said TEP staff members conducted a survey to reach community members and Muni riders who were not contacted through other outreach efforts and could not attend the various workshops.

TEP staff have collected and analyzed a plethora of data, including reliability, passenger loads, coverage, cost, customer service and rider experience. Allen said draft recommendations for how to improve Muni systemwide are expected this fall.

“We are in midproject and looking at a multiplicity of solutions for improving not just reliability, but also travel times and other issues raised by our riders,” Muni spokeswoman Maggie Lynch said. “There is no silver bullet or easy solutions.”

Of the people surveyed, about 25 percent said they use Muni because it’s the most convenient option. About 23 percent of people said they ride Muni to avoid parking or because it’s their “only available transportation.”

Overwhelmingly, riders said reliability is paramount. They were less concerned with additional coverage, easier transfers, more off-peak service, safety and comfort.

arocha@examiner.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

8:01 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

Examiner Reader said:
Folks, I used to work at Muni (Potrero Yard) on the articulated "7000" series trolleys. I left for a better job- better pay, better working conditions and better environment. The culture at Muni will never change, because it can't. There are far too many people who are used to the way things are that it will continue for years to come. Any monies given to Muni are likely to end up in a black hole. For every dollar they're given, maybe ten cents goes towards new equipment and buses. It's shameful. Whenever a ballot measure comes up, Muni gets all kinds of sympathy but this money has and will be wasted! I have seen it firsthand. Muni supposedly will be getting X number of dollars (in the millions) yet we mechanics saw the same crappy buses and trolleys as ever. Where did the money go? The ONLY way for Muni to survive and be profitable for the City as well as safe and reliable for the public is for it to be privatized. It's not what people want to hear but it's the truth.

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1:30 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

mary hernandez said:
There is no safe ride any more on any muni. U never get to sit before the bus takes off. causes injury. The one think that bits my a_s is when the DRIVER is on their cells phones or stop to get coffee or a snack one is the 6 Pernassnes. NOW THE 27 BRYANT IS WHAT SHOULD BE CALL THE TOURTOS RUN. I myself have been insulted when stating how late it is or was. The drivers should be retrained in customer service. I truley think all supervisors and staff should give up their cars for One (1)month and ride the muni and then put together a program that effectes all residents of san francisco and vistors. I dear them to take the challange. Sorry if the spelling is out of wak but I think u get the point.

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12:54 AM MST on Sat., Jul. 21, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

a toe said:
muni needs to reinstate the 15-bus that goes along bayshore. that artery is very important for people trying to get there. now they're cut off completely including the residents who live there. all this re-routing isn't working for s.f.

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5:14 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

Tony Shillings said:
I figure Mr. Ford is doing about as good a job as Mr. Burns or Mr. Cruz, which is to say, "LESS THAN COMPETANT"

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4:13 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

n judah chronicles said:
All this TEP stuff is nice, but only if it works as promised - finding ways to make MUNI reliable and serve people better. If it's just a consultant-driven fig leaf for big service cuts and huge fare increases and a less reliable muni, then it's a waste. Plus, some things dont require a 'big study" like making Irving/9th and Judah/9th safer for cars, people and seniors AND make the N run faster too. Come on MUNI, use some common sense!

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3:42 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

Bob said:
MUNI and all the idots on the board of supervisors can take survey after survey (which it seems like they are doing and they think that will fix the problem) but if they don't take the riders survey to heart, why bother

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2:19 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 20, 2007 re: "Survey: Muni riders consider system unreliable"

not me said:
no kidding... this isn't news.

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