The new rapid bus line has cut travel times by 35 percent and boosted ridership on the Van Ness corridor.
Since the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) opened the Van Ness bus rapid transit project in April, ridership on the 49 Van Ness/Mission bus line has shot up, far outpacing the agency’s other bus and rail lines. Ricardo Cano reports on the line’s success for the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The 49 line had about 740,000 total boardings in September, up from 549,000 in March, the month before the BRT project’s April 1 premiere. That ridership haul puts the 49’s popularity behind only the 38-Geary and 14-Mission lines, which that have long been the Muni system’s workhorses.”
The 2 mile BRT project wasn’t without controversy during its six years of construction, but Muni seems to have kept its promises: “Early data from the transportation agency showed that the BRT lanes brought a 35% travel time savings for northbound trips on the Van Ness corridor.”
Another line on the Van Ness Corridor, the 47, is still suspended indefinitely.
FULL STORY: S.F.’s Van Ness BRT created a ridership boom for Muni. Here’s what the data shows
Van Ness BRT Speeds Travel by 36%, Earns Silver Designation
The San Francisco rapid bus line is making transit on the corridor more reliable and reducing traffic crashes and congestion.
San Francisco Bus Rapid Transit Performing Well, One Month In
After a month of service, the Van Ness BRT line has cut travel times by roughly nine minutes and spurred increased ridership.
Beleaguered San Francisco Bus Project To Open April 1
San Francisco's much-delayed Van Ness BRT line, expected to speed up travel along the 'grandest boulevard,' has finally received an opening date.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service