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Pelosi Announces Funding for San Francisco Rail and Bus Transit

August 3, 2006

Pelosi Announces Funding for San Francisco Rail and Bus Transit

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced today grants of $24.5 million for Muni’s Third Street Central Subway Project and $3.7 million for Muni bus facilities.

â€Å"As the first phase of the Third Street Light Rail project approaches completion, I am pleased to announce this grant of $24.5 million for the second phase, the Central Subway,” Pelosi said. â€Å"The Third Street Light Rail project is adding a vital transit connection to our city, linking the often isolated southeastern neighborhoods of the city to the central business district.”

Muni will use this grant for designing and engineering the Central Subway, which will bring the streetcars underground through South of Market to Union Square and Chinatown. The Third Street line will relieve congestion, reduce air pollution, provide additional connections to other public transit lines, and encourage economic development in the neighborhoods it serves, including Bayview Hunters Point and Mission Bay.

In addition, Muni will receive $3.7 million for two bus transit projects: the Islais Creek Maintenance Facility and the NextBus vehicle locating system. The new maintenance facility will provide maintenance and parking for 135 Muni buses, including its alternative fuel vehicles, and administrative offices. The facility will showcase environmentally-friendly features such as recycled building materials, enhanced use of natural light, and windows that cut glare while reducing heating and cooling costs.

The NextBus program uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to track the locations of Muni vehicles as they travel around the city. Muni riders can consult NextBus via the Internet and illuminated signs in bus shelters to find out when buses and streetcars will arrive at specific stops, allowing them to avoid unnecessary waiting. These funds will enable Muni to continue with its plan to implement the program throughout the transit system.