The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is studying how to increase capacity of the Muni Metro Subway for the next 10 to 20 years and one aspect is already drawing opposition from at least one community group.
The idea of interlining the the K Ingleside and L Taraval light rail lines to keep them out of the subway which would require passengers traveling inbound or outbound to transfer at West Portal Station. Keeping the J Church out of the subway is also under review.
By rerouting one or two light rail lines, the SFMTA said it could then use three- to four-car trains on the N-Judah and M-Ocean View lines, greatly increasing capacity at the cost of inconveniencing some riders.
“The goal of the study is to consider the benefits and tradeoffs of different possible options to understand what we could do if we need to down the line,” said SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte. “We are developing a suite of options that increase Metro capacity, not proposing specific projects.”
The ideas have been presented to a community working group formed by the SFMTA to get feedback and recommendations. Roccaforte noted that the group will not make decisions or vote on any of the options or recommendations. He added that the study will not result in any final decisions but instead list pros and cons of several options that will be shared publicly and with policymakers.
Still, the idea of interlining the K and L again has drawn concerns from the People of Parkside Sunset merchant and community group.
At its monthly meeting this month, Paula Katz, a POPS board member, proposed a resolution opposing the interlining of the K and L.
“We want to make sure, if it's decided that the capacity is too high in the subway, that they look at all alternatives and not just remove the K [and] the L [from the subway],” Katz said.
POPS members also spoke about the lack of representation from the Sunset District as the L runs along the Taraval Street commercial corridor.
Roccaforte said the agency received 80 applications last year and that they “based selections on a range of criteria to ensure diversity and equal representation of all Muni Metro stakeholders, including making sure there is someone who rides on the portion of any line that would be affected by any of the route restructuring ideas under consideration.”
Roccaforte said many of the concerns and questions raised by POPS were also discussed and raised by the working group. The agency will incorporate those concerns into the study.
“We have offered to meet with the People of Parkside Sunset to discuss their feedback and welcome the opportunity to meet with any interested groups,” said Roccaforte.
The SFMTA plans to have additional opportunities next year for the public to participate to receive feedback on the draft study recommendations. The public can also review slide presentations and notes from the working group meetings on the SFMTA’s website.
Anne Marie Kristoff
