“It means a lot, because as someone who grew up taking trips to Chinatown with my grandparents, it wasn’t an easy trip — having to walk through hills and having to take multiple bus rides — and I think this really centralizes it and gives people, like my younger self and my grandparents, an opportunity to reach places that they previously had a lot more trouble reaching,” said Adrianna Zhang, who serves as the District 7 representative on the San Francisco Youth Commission.

The original line will run weekends between Chinatown-Rose Pak Station, and 4th and Brannan streets. On Jan. 7, however, the line will run its full course seven days a week, direct from Sunnydale, Bayview and Visitacion Valley all the way to SoMa, Union Square and Chinatown, extending the Muni Metro T-3rd Street line on 3rd Street .

SFMTA’s Central Subway Project was always expected to be a complex and difficult undertaking, going underneath the Union Square area and Chinatown — not only one of the densest parts of the city, but one of the densest residential areas in the entire US

Those expectations proved to be well-founded. The project ended up costing $2 billion and went significantly over budget due to various construction delays. All in all, it was completed four years later than planned.

Lion dancers from the Yau Kung Moon school are seen celebrating the opening of the Chinatown-Rose Pak Station on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, Nov. 19, 2022. (Ekene Okobi/KQED)

The project finally overcame those hurdles with the Nov. 19 opening, and is being hailed as a monumental accomplishment for San Francisco in terms of its commitment to transit over fossil-fuel vehicles, its commitment to a community where 80% of residents are estimated to be transit-dependent, and its overall commitment to moving people in the least environmentally harmful way possible.

Locals used the Central Subway for the first time on Nov. 19, 2022. An estimated 80% of Chinatown residents rely on public transit. (Aryk Copley/KQED)

But the Central Subway has meant a great deal for one neighborhood in particular, where Saturday’s opening was seen and celebrated as a victory: Chinatown.

Residents, business owners and community leaders in Chinatown fought hard for years to bring the Central Subway project to their neighborhood after it was initially slated to go to the Financial District, with various local organizations lending their weight, including the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinatown Community Development Center, among others.

“I think this sends a signal to the city and the world that Chinatown is a permanent part of the fabric of San Francisco and it needs to be valued as such — and is valued as such,” said Malcolm Yeung, executive director of the Chinatown Community Development Center, adding that the Central Subway is an important part of Chinatown history and that the opening of this new line is the start of a new chapter for the community.

“We can think of Chinatown as a place where we can build upon the culture and the anchor that this has brought for generations of immigrants and San Franciscans,” Yeung said.

A map of the Muni lines in San Francisco, including the 3rd Street line that will be effective on January 2023. (Courtesy of SFMTA)

But the political fight to bring the line to Chinatown was actually led by an unlikely and controversial figure after whom the Chinatown station was eventually renamed on Aug. 20, 2019: Rose Pak.

Pak, who died in 2016 at age 68, had a penchant for the dramatic and a brusque, unapologetic style that won her as many opponents as it did supporters. But, love her or hate her, it was Pak’s passionate drive that won the day and brought the Central Subway to Chinatown.

A photo display of various stages of the development of Rose Pak Station, Nov. 19, 2022. (Ekene Okobi/KQED)

“I’m happy for Chinatown,” said Donald Luu, president of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce. “We waited 30 years for this day. The thing that everyone touched on today was the impact of Rose Pak, how this launched the legacy, and the legend continues in Chinatown with the name of the station in Chinatown, Rose Pak Station. This day and the celebration will be in the history books for Chinatown and the Chinese community of San Francisco.”

Pak was a former consultant for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, but never held an elective office. Nevertheless, she was a force to be reckoned with in the Chinatown community, considered by many to be a power broker and an effective fundraiser, with her support making — and sometimes breaking — electoral campaigns in local politics.

Born in Henan, China, Pak moved to Hong Kong as a child and then to San Francisco in 1967. After studying communications at the San Francisco College for Women and receiving her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York City, Pak returned to San Francisco in 1974 to work as a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle, taking on the Chinatown beat and immersing herself in the city’s Asian community — until she went from reporting news to making it.

The Central Subway will run from Chinatown-Rose Pak Station to 4th and Brannan on weekends until January when the full 3rd St. line will open, extending from Chinatown all the way to Sunnydale. (Aryk Copley/KQED)

Pak led fundraising and community leadership efforts on a number of issues and projects — many controversial — including Chinese Hospital, the 8 Washington condominium project in Embarcadero, and the Embarcadero Freeway. But when the freeway came down in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Pak began advocating for the construction of Central Subway, an idea of ​​hers that went all the way back to the 1980s, four decades before the project was finally completed and opened on Saturday.

“We needed another transit corridor, another way of connecting to Chinatown, and it was Rose Pak who was that visionary leader who led the charge,” Yeung said.

KQED’s Dan Brekke, Ekene Okobi, Spencer Whitney and Attila Pelit contributed to this story.

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NEW YORK (WPIX) – Police officers and a good Samaritan in New York City rescued a man who suffered a possible medical issue and fell onto the city’s subway tracks on Thanksgiving, police said.

NYPD Officers Brunel Victor and Taufique Bokth were conducting a transit sweep at the station, located at East 116 Street and Lexington Avenue, when officers were told by other riders that a man had fallen onto the tracks. Police immediately left the station to re-enter through the northbound side in order to reach the man, officials said.

Bodycam video released by the NYPD shows the officers rushing down to the subway platform and finding the victim on the track, where another rider was already trying to assist. Together with the good Samaritan, police were able to lift the 40-year-old man back to the platform and out of harm’s way.

One of the officers, however, was still on the track after helping to lift the man — even as the uptown 6 train approached, the footage shows.

He is soon helped back up the platform, with just seconds to spare before the train comes into the station.

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While waiting for medical help, another responding officer was able to help the victim using his prior medical training. The man was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell tweeted a video of the rescue on Friday, describing the responding officers’ actions as heroic.

“For the officers who rescued a man from an oncoming train after he accidentally fell on the subway tracks yesterday in Manhattan — courage is second nature. Join me in saluting these great cops,” the commissioner wrote.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber also issued a statement praising the officers and the good Samaritan as well as state and city officials.

“The joint commitment by [Gov. Kathy Hochul] other [Mayor Eric Adams] to have additional NYPD officers patrol in subway stations and on trains not only helps riders feel safer, but in this case, enabled brave officers and a good Samaritan — in the finest tradition of New Yorkers helping each other — to save a life,” Lieber said.

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Updated: 5:45pm Wednesday

The following is an update from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Subway was reopened at approximately 4:30 pm (Wednesday) after verification that the plumbing was repaired.

Previously

The Subway sandwich shop on Fourth Street in Eureka was closed Tuesday after food inspectors found an “inoperable toilet and standing wastewater” in the establishment’s bathroom.

Subway is closed until its plumbing is repaired.

“Due to (a) lack of operable toilet available for food employees, the facility must cease operation and (the) permit to operate is suspended by this office,” a report released Wednesday by the Department of Health and Human Services stated.

Subway has 15 days to request a hearing on the issue.

“A food facility shall not operate if there is sewage overflowing or backing up in the food facility or there are no operable toilets available for food employees,” the report states. “This is an imminent health hazard and major violation that requires reinspection.”

The inspector also saw a “mold-like substance” on the soda machine drainboard. It also noted, “ice buildup in the interior of the freezer” noting servicing was needed.

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May 10, 2021

Improvements made during the pandemic include maintenance upgrades for smoother journeys and improvements like WiFi in tunnels

San Francisco, CA. – Mayor of London N. Breed and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced the full Muni service plan and upgrades to the Muni Metro. All Muni metro stations will reopen and the historic F-Line tram will be back in service on Saturday 15th May. To further maximize access to Muni across the city, a new bus route is being added to the service plan to serve the neighborhoods of the subway west side of San Francisco. The introduction of additional services coincides with the reopening of businesses and activities across the city. Muni service is an important part of San Francisco’s economic recovery.

“To move San Francisco forward, we have to do everything we can to get Muni back to full functionality,” said Mayor Breed. “As we reopen more shops and activities, it is important that our transit service can accommodate more passengers and help people get around our city. This weekend, the Muni metro service, the F-line and more complete Track back and Muni comes back even stronger with new improvements like Wi-Fi in the subway tunnels. “

In addition to reopening the subway stations and the F Line, the N Judah subway will resume its full route between Ocean Beach and 4th and King Streets (Caltrain) on May 15, extending the T Third westward portal and then continue as K Ingleside to Balboa Park Station. With the return of rail travel to these routes, customers will have faster transit times in the downtown area as well as other popular destinations such as Castro, City College, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Oracle Park, Chase Center, UCSF Parnassus, and UCSF Mission Bay and Caltrain.

Muni trains will travel through a much more reliable subway system. Muni employees used this rare, extended metro shutdown as an opportunity to expedite other upgrades and necessary maintenance. During normal operations, subway maintenance teams can only work for a few hours a day when trains are not running.

Important improvements for Muni Metro drivers are:

• Wi-Fi availability thanks to routers installed in stations and cellular antennas installed in the tunnels.
• Installation of new signposts and signposts at Castro and Church stations.
• Faster and smoother journeys through improvements to the overhead line and rail loops.
• Art in public space at the entrance and exit of the Castro and West Portal stations.

After working closely with dealers from Castro, Mid-Market, and Fisherman’s Wharf, the entire F Market & Wharves route from Fisherman’s Wharf to Market and Castro will once again be used in San Francisco’s popular historic trams. This return to service will help support the reopening and return of tourism to the city.

In response to customer feedback for improved service connecting hospitals, grocery stores and vaccination centers in hilly areas, the SFMTA is also introducing a temporary new combined route – the 36/52 special. This bus route will serve the hill districts of Forest Hill, Miraloma and Sunnyside on a loop between Forest Hill Station and Glen Park Station. Currently, 91% of Franciscans are within two to three blocks of a Muni stop, including 100% of residents in San Francisco’s neighborhoods listed in the Muni Service Equity Strategy.

“Without public transportation, there is no economic recovery,” said Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA transportation director. “Our people are committed to keeping San Francisco moving and working tirelessly to bring Muni service back better than ever.”

May 15, 2021 Muni Service changes

The service times for each route are given below. The opening times of the owl network are from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. For more information on frequency and opening times, see the COVID-19 Muni Core Service Plan.

F Market & Quays

The historic tram will return to service between 17th and Castro Streets and Jones and Beach Streets.

• From Castro: approx. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first ride from Castro train station at 10:50 a.m.)
• From Fisherman’s Wharf: approximately 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Use the L-Bus or L-Owl for local service along Market Street during the hours when the F is not on.

K Ingleside / T third

The K Ingleside and T Third will mesh as KT Ingleside-Third and expand the service between Balboa Park and Sunnydale. This route uses the newly opened Muni U-Bahn station, which serves all stations between West Portal and Embarcadero.

• Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Weekends: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Between the hours of the owl service (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and the rail traffic, the Muni Metro buses run on weekdays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• The K-Bus runs between Balboa Park and West Portal Station daily from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• During the weekend, the K Ingleside bus runs between Balboa Park and Embarcadero-Ferry Plaza from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and the T Third bus runs between Embarcadero-Ferry Plaza and Sunnydale.

N Judah

Rail traffic will resume for the entire route, with two-car trains replacing the underground buses. Drivers have more space and fewer overtaking maneuvers as the two-car train increases the capacity of the N Judah.

• Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Weekends: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Muni’s metro buses run from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

K bus, L bus and L owl

• These lines will no longer serve Forest Hill Station directly. For more information, see the K Bus, L Bus and L Owl route pages.

36/52 special *

• Temporary new combined route between Forest Hill Station and Glen Park Station for the parishes of Glen Park, Sunnyside and Miraloma. The route will serve the Laguna Honda Hospital.
• The inbound route (clockwise) includes an additional loop on Clarendon.

8 Bayshore

• The current 8AX Bayshore “A” Express becomes the 8 Bayshore Short between City College and Kearny at Pacific. The service for this route ends daily at 7:30 p.m.

• 8 Bayshore Long will continue to operate between City College and Fisherman’s Wharf.
• The 8 Bayshore will return on its pre-pandemic route, heading north on Kearny rather than Stockton.

In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, face masks are required under federal law in Muni stations when buying a ticket and when waiting, boarding, driving or exiting transit. You can find more information about the services of the SFMTA on their website.

This news release was prepared by the office of the Mayor of San Francisco. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency (SFMTA) plans to reopen all subway stations this Saturday and introduce a new temporary bus route, officials said this week.

The SFMTA was already restoring the bus routes as the city shifted into less restrictive tiers earlier this month. With this announcement, the agency also announced that the subway tunnels have been modernized and have a working WiFi service.

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“To move San Francisco forward, we must do everything we can to get Muni back to full functionality,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed in a statement. “As we reopen more shops and activities, it is important that our transit service can accommodate more passengers and help people get around our city.”

The city closed its metro stations during the lockdown last year, but after the city entered the yellow row last week, the SFMTA has continued its reopening plans.

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The agency also listened to feedback and decided to create a new temporary bus route – the 36/52 Special. This bus route will serve the hill districts of Forest Hill, Miraloma and Sunnyside on a loop between Forest Hill Station and Glen Park Station.

With the restrictions lifted in the city, the agency is bringing back the historic railroad lines as well as the N Judah subway service, which will resume its full route between Ocean Beach and 4th and King Streets (Caltrain). The T Third will be extended to the West Portal and then continued as K Ingleside to Balboa Park Station.

The SFMTA made all changes to the service available on its website.

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“Without public transportation, there is no economic recovery,” said Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA transportation director. “Our people are committed to keeping San Francisco moving and working tirelessly to bring Muni service back better than ever.”

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