San Francisco officials, together with students from the Lowell High School Transit Club, are advancing the second phase of the 29 Sunset Improvement Project to enhance transit speed and reliability, especially for students. Over 55% of high school students regularly use public transportation, with Route 29 serving over 14,000 riders daily. Historically plagued by congestion and delays, the route’s latest improvements include bus stop consolidations, upgraded shelters, wider sidewalks, and traffic calming measures.
The project focuses on the southern half of the route, which serves areas with a high concentration of low-income and minority passengers. After disruptions from the pandemic, ridership on the 29 Sunset has rebounded to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, prompting officials to invest in upgrades.
The initial phase, costing about $9.5 million, successfully implemented traffic signal priorities and boarding island upgrades to enhance efficiency. The second phase, budgeted at $10 million and funded through local taxes and grants, aims to replicate these successes and address ongoing reliability issues.
Students from the Transit Club have played a crucial role in advocating for these changes since 2019, pressing for better service due to frequent delays impacting their punctuality. Plans also aim to improve pedestrian safety and potentially lay the groundwork for a future 29-Rapid line, despite current funding challenges. Phase 2 improvements will unfold into 2028, with a focus on community feedback to guide decision-making.
Source link
