Switchbacks on Muni trains have been a common complaint from Muni riders as the San Francisco Public Press has previously reported. Muni trains occasionally turn around and have passengers leave the vehicle before arriving at the end terminal in order to get the transit system back on schedule.
Muni officials told a San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee on Monday that switchbacks have decreased over the pass two months. In September, Muni recorded a little over 250 switchback incidents compared to over 400 in June.
“More scheduled and reliable service contributed to the decline of the switchbacks,” said John Haley, transit director of operations.
In April and July, Muni operated 90 percent of scheduled light-rail service, which is below its 98.5 percent goal. As of August, Muni was at 95 percent of the scheduled service.
Haley said vehicle malfunctions and operator shortages contributed to Muni’s light-rail system performance problems in the spring. The number one cause of vehicle delays came from the malfunction of the doors and steps.
A number of programs are currently in the works to improve Muni Metro service including overhauling several light-rail vehicles that have been out of service and additional staff on hand to help resolve delays on the surface and in the subway.
“We should see some improvements when some of those vehicles go back on the street,” said Muni chief Ed Reiskin. The out of service vehicles are slated to return in spring 2013.
Although switchbacks have decreased, Supervisor Carmen Chu said she is still receiving complaints from residents that after a train makes a switchback, riders are waiting a long time for the next train arrive. Muni’s stated policy is to not have trains switch back unless another train is five minutes or less away.
Muni officials provided no data on whether the trains had come within five minutes after a train made a switch back, but said would provide that information in a future meeting with supervisors.
Part-time drivers to begin
About 25 part-time Muni drivers will begin work on Wednesday at the transit agency’s Kirkland Yard, which houses the most express lines, said John Haley, director of transit operations.
Voters approved last years’ Proposition G, which gave the transit agency more leverage in changing work rules and the hiring of part-time drivers in a new labor contract agreement that took effect on July 1.
Muni operators voted against the labor contract agreement and an independent arbitrator stepped in and forced the contract upon the drivers.
