The L Taraval is a hybrid light rail/streetcar line of the Muni Metro system in San Francisco, California, mainly serving the Parkside District. Since 2021 [update] , the line has been suspended and replaced by buses until the end of 2024 for an improvement project along Taraval Street.
The line begins at Wawona and 46th Avenue station (near the San Francisco Zoo), which is on a one-way loop on Vicente Street, 47th Avenue, Wawona Street, and 46th Avenue. It runs north on 46th Avenue to Taraval Street, then runs east on Taraval Street to 15th Avenue. The line then runs south one block on 15th Avenue, then east on Ulloa Street to West Portal station, where it tags along with the other Muni Metro lines towards Embarcadero.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the L Taraval operated seven days a week, with train service beginning at 5 a.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. Saturdays, and 8 a.m. Sundays. Trains ran until 12:30 a.m, with daytime headways between 6 and 9 minutes. [3]
Service is provided by overnight Owl buses during the hours that rail service is not running. The L Owl bus serves the full length of the route, as well as along The Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. (The Embarcadero section was added on June 15, 2019, to provide Owl service along the F Market & Wharves route.) [4]
In June 1908, United Railroads (URR) subsidiary Parkside Transit Company laid a single-track line that ran on 20th Avenue from an existing line on H Street (now Lincoln Way) to Wawona Street, then on Wawona one block to 19th Avenue. A connecting shuttle line running from 20th Avenue on Taraval Street, 33rd Avenue, Vicente Street, and 35th Avenue to Sloat Boulevard (meeting the 12 Ocean line) was opened by 1910. [5] This trackage, which saw irregular passenger service, formed a barrier to the continued expansion of the city-owned Municipal Railway into the Parkside district. On November 25, 1918, the city and the private URR signed the "Parkside Agreements", which allowed Muni streetcars to use URR trackage on Taraval Street and on Ocean Avenue in exchange for a cash payment and shared maintenance costs. [6] : 74
Muni's L Taraval line opened as a shuttle between West Portal and 33rd Avenue (on rebuilt URR trackage west of 20th Avenue) on April 12, 1919. Tracks were extended along Taraval to 48th Avenue at Ocean Beach by January 14, 1923 and on October 15, the shuttle service was replaced with larger streetcars running through to the Ferry Building. [6] : 75 The URR discontinued their service on the line in late 1927. [7]
The L Taraval was extended south (turning off Taraval at 46th) to the San Francisco Zoo, the line's current outer terminus, on September 15, 1937, [8] leaving a two-block spur line on Taraval, that is used occasionally for temporary storage. [9]
Over the next decade, the line's eastern terminus changed a few times. On January 15, 1939, every other streetcar was routed to the new Transbay Terminal. On January 1, 1941, cars were rerouted back to the Ferry Building. The Transbay Terminal became the inner terminal for all streetcars on June 6, 1948. [7]
By 1950, many streetcar lines in the city were converted to buses after World War II, the L Taraval remained a streetcar line due to its use of the Twin Peaks Tunnel.
The L was partially converted to modern light rail operation as part of the opening of the Muni Metro system in 1980. [8]
For its first 100 years in operation, the L Taraval operated similar to a bus, with rail vehicles receiving no priority over any other vehicle, obeying all stop signs, and stopping frequently when requested or when flagged down by passengers waiting at marked stops on the sidewalk. Because the rails were laid in the center of a four-lane roadway, passengers boarding or exiting must cross an active traffic lane. Often drivers would not stop for crossing passengers, leading to many being hit and injured getting off and on the L Taraval over the decades.
Starting in the early 2010s, Muni began proposing major changes to the L Taraval corridor to increase pedestrian safety and speed up trains, which would prove to be controversial. The plan, eventually named the L Taraval Improvement Project, would dedicate the center lanes to rail vehicles, consolidate stops, and where stops remain, add boarding islands between the transit-only lane and the general traffic lane, giving passengers a protected area to exit or wait for the L Taraval. The project would also replace many of the stop signs along the route with traffic signals with transit priority, add additional traffic calming measures like curb extensions, replace the worn rails and overhead wire, along with sewer and water line replacements.
The plan was controversial because adding boarding islands would required the removal of street parking along Taraval, worrying nearby merchants, who feared less parking would reduce traffic in their businesses. The loss of parking along Taraval would be offset by moving parking spaces and meters to side streets and by converting side streets to angled parking to increase density. [10] : 3, 9–11 Seniors and some disability advocates were opposed to the removal of stops, because it would require longer walks for some passengers. Other disability advocates supported the project because it would add accessible ramps at additional stops.
Under pressure from these groups, Muni agreed to a pilot project in 2016 to see if better street markings would get more drivers to stop for crossing passengers. [11] The pilot program was unsuccessful, showing only a two percent increase in drivers stopping behind trains. [12] The final plan adds boarding islands at 19th, 26th, 30th, 32nd, 40th, 42nd, 44th, and 46th (westbound only), along with an extension of the existing islands at Sunset and 22nd/23rd Avenues. [10] : 16–24 Stops were removed in 2017 and 2018 at 15th Avenue, 17th (westbound), 22nd (westbound), 24th (eastbound), 28th, and 35th. [10] : 19, 21 [13]
Construction on Segment A of the project, between Sunset Boulevard and 46th Avenue, began in August 2019. [14] [15] As part of Segment A work, the original track on Taraval west of 46th – the only track in the city still set in granite "Belgian blocks" – was replaced. In a nod to its history, the blocks were saved and re-set next to the new tracks. [9] Bus substitution for Segment A was planned to begin in spring 2020. [16] However, on March 30, 2020, all Muni Metro service was replaced with buses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [17]
Muni Metro rail service returned on August 22, 2020, with the routes reconfigured to improve reliability in the subway: K Ingleside and L Taraval service were interlined, running between Taraval and Sunset and Balboa Park station; no K Ingleside or L Taraval service entered the subway. Buses continued to replace rail service west of Sunset Boulevard to allow for construction. [3] The forced transfer at West Portal was criticized by disability advocates. [18] Rail service was replaced again by buses on August 25, 2020 due to issues with malfunctioning overhead wire splices and the need to quarantine control center staff after a positive COVID-19 case. [19]
K Ingleside rail service resumed again on May 15, 2021, and Segment A work was completed that July, but the L remained a bus route. [20] [21] Construction on Segment B of the project, between West Portal and Sunset Boulevard, began in January 2022. Segment B work was expected to last through 2024. [22] On July 7, 2022, the L Bus was shortened from downtown to West Portal station and frequency was increased. [23] Additional limited bus service to downtown, operating weekday middays on 50-minute headways, was added on October 10, 2022. [24]
Station/Stop | Neighborhood | Muni Metro lines | Notes and connections |
---|---|---|---|
Embarcadero | Financial District |
| |
Montgomery | |||
Powell | Civic Center, Mid-Market, Tenderloin | (at Union Square/Market St) |
|
Civic Center/UN Plaza |
| ||
Van Ness |
| ||
Church | Duboce Triangle, Mission Dolores | (Surface stop) |
|
Castro | The Castro |
| |
Forest Hill | Forest Hill | Muni: 36, 43, 44, 52 | |
West Portal | West Portal | Muni: 48, 57 | |
Ulloa and 14th Avenue | Muni: 48 | ||
15th Avenue and Taraval (westbound) | Parkside | ||
Taraval and 17th Avenue (eastbound) | |||
Taraval and 19th Avenue | Muni: 28, 28R | ||
Taraval and 22nd/23rd Avenues | |||
Taraval and 26th Avenue | |||
Taraval and 30th Avenue | Muni: 66 | ||
Taraval and 32nd Avenue | |||
Taraval and Sunset | Muni: 29 | ||
Taraval and 40th Avenue | |||
Taraval and 42nd Avenue | |||
Taraval and 44th Avenue | |||
Taraval and 46th Avenue (westbound) 46th Avenue and Taraval (eastbound) | Muni: 18 | ||
46th Avenue and Ulloa | |||
46th Avenue and Vicente | |||
SF Zoo |
|
The K Ingleside is a hybrid light rail/streetcar line of the Muni Metro system in San Francisco, California. It mainly serves the West Portal and Ingleside neighborhoods. The line opened on February 3, 1918, and was the first line to use the Twin Peaks Tunnel.
The Market Street subway is a two-level subway tunnel that carries Muni Metro and BART trains under Market Street in San Francisco, California. It runs under the length of Market Street between Embarcadero station and Castro station. The upper level is used by Muni Metro lines and the lower level is used by BART lines. BART does not run through the whole subway; it turns south and runs under Mission Street southwest of Civic Center/UN Plaza station. The northeastern end of the BART level is connected to the Transbay Tube. On the Muni Metro level, the southwestern end of the Market Street subway connects to the much-older Twin Peaks Tunnel, and the northeastern end connects to surface tracks along the Embarcadero.
St. Francis Circle is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside and M Ocean View lines, located in the St. Francis Wood neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It opened around 1907 when the United Railroads (URR) expanded its Ocean Avenue line west to Ocean Beach; Muni service followed with the K in 1918 and the M in 1925.
Junipero Serra and Ocean is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located in the St. Francis Wood neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It originally opened around 1896 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and San Leandro is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Balboa Terrace and Ingleside Terrace neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. It originally opened around 1896 on the United Railroads (12) line; K Ingleside service began in 1919. The stop consists of two side platforms, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with San Leandro Way, and vice versa.
Ocean and Aptos is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Balboa Terrace and Ingleside Terrace neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stop consists of two side platforms, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Aptos Avenue, and vice versa. It originally opened around 1896 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and Westgate (inbound) and Ocean and Cerritos (outbound) are a pair of one-way light rail stops on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Mount Davidson and Ingleside Terrace neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stops consist of one side platform each, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Westgate Drive and Cerritos Avenue, and vice versa. They originally opened around 1896 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and Fairfield (inbound) and Ocean and Victoria (outbound) are a pair of one-way light rail stops on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Mount Davidson and Ingleside Terrace neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stops consist of one side platform each, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Victoria Street and the westbound (inbound) located east of the intersection and just west of Fairfield Way. They originally opened in 1895 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and Dorado (inbound) and Ocean and Jules (outbound) are a pair of one-way light rail stops on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Mount Davidson and Ingleside neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stops consist of one side platform each, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Dorado Terrace and Jules Avenue, and the westbound (inbound) platform located east of the intersection. It originally opened in 1895 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and Miramar is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Westwood Park and Ingleside neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stop consists of two side platforms, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Miramar Avenue and the westbound (inbound) platform located east of the intersection. It originally opened in 1895 on the United Railroads 12 line; K Ingleside service began in 1919.
Ocean and Lee station is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Westwood Park and Ingleside neighborhoods of San Francisco, California. The stop consists of two side platforms, with the eastbound (outbound) platform located on Ocean Avenue west of the intersection with Lee Street, and vice versa.
Ocean Avenue/CCSF Pedestrian Bridge station is a light rail station on the Muni Metro K Ingleside line, located between the Sunnyside and Ingleside neighborhoods of San Francisco, California adjacent to the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) campus. The stop consists of two side platforms in the median of Ocean Avenue, with stairs to a concrete footbridge that connects the campus to Geneva Avenue. It opened in 1979 with the extension of the line to Balboa Park station; it was previously served by the United Railroads 12 line from 1895 to 1945, and the K from 1945 to 1952.
Taraval and 22nd Avenue / Taraval and 23rd Avenue stations are a pair of light rail stops on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The eastbound stop is located on Taraval Street and 22nd Avenue, while westbound trains stop on Taraval Street at 23rd Avenue.
Taraval and 26th Avenue is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The station opened with the first section of the L Taraval line on April 12, 1919; irregular shuttle service had run on a United Railroads line since around 1910.
Taraval and 28th Avenue was a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The station opened with the first section of the L Taraval line on April 12, 1919; irregular shuttle service had run on a United Railroads line since around 1910. Service to the station was discontinued on February 25, 2017 as part of the L Taraval Rapid project.
Taraval and 30th Avenue is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The station opened with the first section of the L Taraval line on April 12, 1919; irregular shuttle service had run on a United Railroads line since around 1910.
Taraval and 32nd Avenue is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The station opened with the first section of the L Taraval line on April 12, 1919; irregular shuttle service had run on a United Railroads line since around 1910. Nearby 33rd Avenue was the outer terminus of the line until the extension to 48th Avenue on January 14, 1923.
Taraval and 42nd Avenue is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The station opened with the first section of the L Taraval line on January 14, 1923.
46th Avenue and Taraval (eastbound) and Taraval and 46th Avenue (westbound) are a pair of one-way light rail stops on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California.
Wawona and 46th Avenue station is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro L Taraval line, located in the Parkside neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The stop opened as the terminus of an extension of the line to the San Francisco Zoo on September 15, 1937. It has a single side platform serving a single-track loop. A mini-high platform provides access to people with disabilities.
Media related to L Taraval at Wikimedia Commons