![]()
Why We Exist
There is a lot to love about transit in and around San Francisco, and a lot that holds it back.
San Francisco's streets are gridlocked. Our population is growing. Otherwise visionary projects get delayed for years and watered down through bureaucracy.
More and more people want mobility without owning a car, yet for the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on it, San Francisco's is one of the slowest and least reliable transit systems in all of America.
Through the years, dozens of incremental upgrades have helped. But it's never been enough. And today, too few of our city's officials show the vision, leadership, and political will that's needed to fix it now.
San Francisco needs an organized group of advocates to assure we are moving towards a world-class transportation system, one that is excellent, affordable, and always growing.
![]()
Who We Are
San Francisco Transit Riders is current and future riders united to improve public transportation into and out of our growing city. As a non-profit grassroots advocacy group run and led by volunteers, we are the one organization in the city expressly devoted to changing the future of public transit for riders.
We are a group of grassroots volunteers who have come together to make a better transit system now:
- We're transit geeks who imagine a fast, efficient system
- We're urban planners who care about our city
- We're activists who show up to meetings at City Hall
- We're environmentalists committed to living without a car
- We're parents who want a safe, dependable ride for our kids
- We're people who fight for those of all incomes, seniors, and people with different abilities so that all San Franciscans can have equal access to dependable transit
![]()
![]()
What We Believe
We're on a mission to transform transit in San Francisco to a network that's fast, reliable, safe, and comfortable. It's what today's riders deserve—and it's what future riders expect.
-
30x30: Get anywhere within the city in 30 minutes or less by 2030. That's our new vision for Muni. (You can get involved to help shape this vision).
-
Transit for All: We're for students, hourly workers, retirees, wheelchair users, tech workers, and symphony-goers alike. Public transit, biking, and walking must become attractive choices to everyone in San Francisco.
-
A Sustainable End to Gridlock: Our region's rapid growth has brought our streets to a standstill. To get our city moving, the streets we have must move dramatically more people every day—and Muni can do that.
![]()
Why We Need Your Help Now
In 2010, we started as a scrappy group of passionate volunteers. In just a few years, we've achieved all-door boarding, last year's Muni Challenge, and funding increases for Muni. We've punched above our weight for years, especially considering that nearly all of our work is done by volunteers.
Recently, our considerable accomplishments have attracted new members and leadership. And they've inspired us to reach even higher.
-
We want to step up our game and bring on full-time, permanent staff.
-
We need someone who can truly devote their time and organizing skills to increasing our impact.
- This crowdfunding campaign is one piece of our ambitious goal to raise $100,000 in 2016.
What We're Working On
![]()
Sustaining Campaign: Front-Line Transit Fighters
Funding Needed: $25,000
Raising $25,000 will help us keep up the good work. We will continue our watchdog role, including advocating for existing transit projects to be built on-time and with all benefits promised to riders.
-
We will continue our historical leadership role in educating voters. In the past, we have successfully promoted the passage of revenue measures to support transit.
-
We'll stay at the table for city- and region-wide conversations, working toward public transit becoming more sustainably funded.
- We'll keep bringing riders together with forums, meetings, and events, fostering lively transit culture.
![]()
Advocacy Campaign: Muni Challenge 2016
Funding Needed: $50,000
Last year's Muni Challenge electrified the public and press as we challenged elected officials to ride Muni and share their experiences on Twitter.
- 11 Supervisors and the Mayor rode Muni a collective 316 times over a 22 day period.
- It was one day for each year a long-ignored voter mandate that requires officials to ride Muni to and from work.
This year, if we can raise $50,000, we'll organize Muni Challenge 2016, a new and inclusive city-wide campaign:
- SF Transit Riders will challenge all San Franciscans to Get on the Bus for one week with fun programming, events, and more.
-
We'll create a public, collective dialogue about all our system is and could be.
![]()
Engagement Campaign: Equity in Transit
Funds needed: $75,000
Our system serves 400,000 people everyday, but it doesn't serve everyone equitably. If we can raise $75,000 this year, we'll have the bandwidth to launch our Equity in Transit campaign.
- Many poorer neighborhoods are underserved and underrepresented in the planning process.
- This keeps residents from accessing jobs and education.
-
With increased funding we will be a voice to change this situation, mobilizing residents on the ground to create change in their own neighborhoods, city-wide.
![]()
Innovation Campaign: 30 by '30
Funding Needed: $100,000
With an average speed of 8.1 miles per hour, Muni is the slowest major urban transit system in the nation. It doesn't have to be. If we raise $100,000 this year, we'll have the funds to explore a vision of something much better: 30 by '30.
-
We envision Muni transformed into a system that can get you anywhere within the city in 30 minutes or less by the year 2030.
- Our current level of clunky, incremental changes will not get us there.
-
We need a new rider-centric vision that redefines transit in San Francisco.
![]()
What You Get: Perks
Your donation will earn you fun, limited edition items, experiences, and opportunities. Check out the "Perks" column to see what goodies we can offer, and the handy map below for visuals!
![]()
Past Work
Our past accomplishments include:
All-Door Boarding: Making your ride faster by reducing dwell times at bus stops 38% without an increase in fare evasion. SFTRU members proposed an all-door boarding pilot program to SFMTA in fall 2011. The agency put the policy change before the MTA Board which, after testimony by SFTRU members, ultimately adopted the proposal.
22-Day Muni Challenge: In June 2015 we engaged city officials to renew their commitment to our system and its citizens by participating in our first everMuni Challenge, riding daily and sharing their experiences on social media with #OnBoardSF. The Board of Supervisors and the Mayor rode 316 times collectively.
Securing Funding for Muni: Our public education and outreach helped assure the victory of crucial ballot measures Propositions A and B in 2014. Proposition A was a $500M transportation infrastructure bond—the first of its kind to pass in 47 years. Proposition B tied transportation funding to population growth.
Transportation Sustainability Fee: We advocated for this developer fee whose annual revenues of up to $17-18 million will ensure that booming real estate benefits and does not hurt transit riders.
Transit Equity: Worked with the Transit Justice Coalition to develop and implement a Transit Equity assessment, ensuring city services are fairly and equitably provided to all communities.
-
Transit Culture: Fun social events like PUBlic Transit CRAWLs and stimulating forums like “Bridging the Gaps in Funding Transit and Housing” and “Parking: A Temporary Problem?” and “Can Families Get Around in San Francisco?” cultivate and celebrate a vibrant transit culture.
![]()
Other Ways You Can Help
Our mission statement includes the word "affordable" because we believe a system where everyone can get around regardless of income makes for a healthy city. If you can't or don't want to contribute monetarily, or if you are fired up and really want to help us succeed, there are plenty of ways to help the cause!
Spread the word: This is crucial. Send this campaign to your friends and family, tell people about it on the bus and in the station. Hearing about the cause from someone people know is way more valuable than just coming from us. Share us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email your friends! #MakeTransitAwesome
Volunteer: We are run of and for riders just like you! Have skills you want to contribute? Organizing, marketing, social media, letter writing, phone calls, going to meetings? Sign up to volunteer at http://sftransitriders.org/involved/
Join our mailing list: There is strength in numbers, and we want to mobilize riders to speak up for the routes and projects that affect them! Stay on top of transit news and stay in touch with SFTRU.
Seriously, spread the word. E-mail, tweet, and post about this campaign. And tell people to support us in person, too.
Thank you!
