Madison Riehle &
Tatiana Gutierrez
The 3 Jackson bus line is facing potential discontinuation by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Association due to a lack of riders.
A hearing room in City Hall overflowed, on Dec. 3 with the 3 Jackson riders who sported pins with the slogans “Don’t Murder the 3” and “Save the 3,” expressing their concerns about the possible termination.
“The 3 has always been a low-ridership line because we live in a low-density area,” Pacific Heights resident Alan Shepherd said. “The issue is it’s still a community to be served, and they are not taking that into consideration.”
Through the Transit Effectiveness Project, the transportation agency plans to eliminate the line to improve service, reduce transit time and improve customer experience, according to the SFMTA Board of Directors.
“I take the 3 everyday home from school,” sophomore Paige Dunlevy said. “There aren’t any buses that go into Pacific Heights, so other than walking for 30 minutes, I don’t have a way home.”
Petitioners argued against the removal, saying that there are 1,500 regular riders a day, with nine schools along the line, and 2,500 children who sporadically rely on the line, according to Pacific Heights resident Barbara Bochi.
“We have elderly people, disabled people and young people,” Bochi said. “If we can’t use the bus line to get around, we will just take our cars or taxis and increase the greenhouse gases. Those who can’t afford taxis and cars will be stranded.”
Eliminating the 3 Jackson will not increase revenue for the SFMTA.
“There’s really no point,” Dunlevy said. “I understand that there aren’t as many riders in Pacific Heights, but there are downtown riders who need to get to and from BART.”
The line serves about 420 people age 65 or older riders each day, many who can not access the surrounding lines like the 24 Divisadero, 1 California and 22 Fillmore, based on their disabilities and difficulties walking up and down hills.
“The city is making it harder to park and Muni is taking away buses,” Bochi said. “It just doesn’t add up.”
The next hearing has yet to be determined. See https://www.sfmta.com for details.
