Skip to main content

Six Generations of Pint-Sized Buses Serve Muni’s Toughest Routes

Six Generations of Pint-Sized Buses Serve Muni’s Toughest Routes
By Jeremy Menzies

For over 80 years, special fleets of shorter than usual buses have been reserved for some of the City’s toughest routes. Winding through tight bends and climbing up steep grades, these pint-sized coaches ensure access to transit in neighborhoods where standard-length buses cannot go. As the SFMTA phases in a brand-new batch of shorter buses, here’s a look at all six generations of Muni’s “mini” fleet.

“Baby White” Buses: 1938-1975
The first generation of short-length buses was intended for regular use on all Muni bus routes. Made by the White Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio, this fleet came to SF in 1938. The buses were nicknamed “Baby Whites” after a group of longer White Co. buses arrived in 1947. In the mid 1950s, all but three of these buses were retired. The three saved continued to run on the 39 Coit Tower route until 1975—in service longer than any other bus before or after.

Muni bus 062 in red and yellow paint job with “39 Coit” route sign. 
This bus has served longer than any other in Muni’s fleet, wearing at least three different paint schemes and running regularly for 37 years straight. Restored in 2012 to its original orange and black colors and number (042), it’s back in special service today during Muni Heritage over 80 years after arriving in SF.

“Mini Macks”: 1970-1979
Unique among all the shorter buses that have served SF is a small number of buses built by the Mack Truck Company. In the 1950s, Muni contracted with Mack to lease a large fleet of 450, 38-foot long buses. As these were returned at the end of the lease in 1969-1970, two buses were saved for a special reassignment. Shortened by several feet by cutting out a section of the bus, these two coaches were meant to replace the 30-year-old White buses on the 39 Route.

Bus on 39 Coit route at bus stop across from Washington Square Park.
Delivered in 1957 as a 38’ long bus, this and one other Mack bus were chopped down and painted in Muni’s Maroon and Gold colors around 1970. Both served the 39 Coit for nearly a decade.

The “Amys”: 1974-1991
The first fleet of buses specifically purchased to fit the need for smaller buses was a batch of 100 buses built by the AM General Company in the mid 1970s. Nicknamed “Amy’s”, these buses were also the first to arrive wearing the new Muni orange and white Sunset livery and famous “Worm” logo. Today, bus #4154 is part of our vintage bus fleet, operating in special service during Muni Heritage.

People boarding bus on Muni 11 Hoffman route. 
People board an AM General bus running on the 11 Hoffman route at Mission and 16th in this 1975 photo.

Orion Fleet #1: 1990-2007
As the AM General buses aged, Muni bought replacements from the Orion bus company in the early 1990s. Even shorter than their predecessors, these were well suited to routes like the 36 Teresita, which winds through Twin Peaks, Diamond Heights, Glen Park, and Bernal Heights.

bus with people standing on sidewalk, forest hill station, and fog-covered trees in background.
Forest Hill Station sits shrouded in fog in this 1990 photo of a new Orion bus on the 36 Teresita Route.

Orion Fleet #2: 2007-Present
Following the original batch of Orion buses was a second that hit the streets in 2007. Purchased simultaneously with standard 40-foot-long buses, these were among the first low-floor hybrid buses to serve San Francisco. The new design of these 30 and 40-foot Orions provided easier boarding and quieter, more efficient operation.

bus in front of stop and sidewalk with BART station in background.
A second-generation Orion bus stops at Glen Park BART on the 35 Eureka Route.

ENC EZ-Rider II: 2022-
Today, the SFMTA is replacing its 15-year-old fleet of 30-foot Orions to provide more reliable, cost-effective service on the routes historically served by shorter buses. These new buses, a few of which are already in service, are built by ENC (El Dorado National-California) based in Riverside. At 32-feet long, they have seating for around 25 passengers and room for multiple people using wheelchairs. The first of these buses arrived for acceptance and testing in late 2021 and entered service earlier this year.

Muni bus parked on street with fog and hills behind.
Climbing a grade in McLaren Park, a new 32’ ENC bus tests on the 56 Rutland in late 2021.
 



Published July 30, 2022 at 03:31AM
https://ift.tt/4yNtHcm
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

If you have any doubt's, please let me know

Popular posts from this blog

Slow Streets Program to Help With Social Distancing

Slow Streets Program to Help With Social Distancing By With Muni service temporarily reduced during the COVID-19 health crisis, many San Francisco residents need to walk and take other modes of transportation to make essential trips. However, sometimes it is difficult to maintain 6’ of social distance on many sidewalks, park paths, and bikeways. This can be especially true when passing lines outside grocery stores and other essential services. Because of this, many pedestrians are choosing to walk in the street, exposing themselves to swiftly moving vehicle traffic. The SFMTA is implementing a new program, Slow Streets, to close some streets to through traffic and allow roadways to be used more as a shared space for foot and bicycle traffic. Throughout the city, corridors have been identified for Phase 1 Slow Streets. Beginning this week, some of these streets will be closed to through vehicle traffic to prioritize walking/biking and to provide more space for social distancing duri...
Post a Comment
Read more

Weight Loss Success Stories: 6 People Share How They Shed Pounds with a High-Protein Diet

Weight Loss Success Stories: 6 People Share How They Shed Pounds with a High-Protein Diet Sarah:  Sarah, a 32-year-old mother of two, struggled with her weight after having her second child. She decided to try a high-protein diet and was able to lose 30 pounds in just three months. She replaced her breakfast with a protein shake, ate a salad with grilled chicken for lunch, and had fish or chicken with vegetables for dinner. Mike:  Mike, a 45-year-old man, had been overweight his entire life. He tried various diets, but none of them worked for him. He decided to give a high-protein diet a try and was able to lose 50 pounds in six months. He ate eggs, chicken, fish, and lean meats for most of his meals and limited his intake of carbohydrates and sugary foods. Emily:  Emily, a 28-year-old woman, had been struggling with her weight since her teenage years. She tried many diets and weight loss programs, but nothing seemed to work for her. She decided to try a high-p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Celebrating the life and legacy of Harvey Milk

Celebrating the life and legacy of Harvey Milk By Sophia Scherr Today we celebrate and remember the life of San Francisco LGBTQ+ advocate and icon, Harvey Milk. One of our city’s most revered politicians, Milk's legacy as the first openly gay San Francisco supervisor and elected official in California helped in breaking down discriminatory barriers and usher LGBTQ+ politicians in government positions. Milk also advocated for equitable transportation, as he rode Muni exclusively since he did not own a car. He was a firm believer that affordable mobility was important in creating a thriving and livable city. Below is Harvey Milk with Curtis E. Green, General Manager of the Municipal Railway promoting Muni’s “Fast Pass”. Mr. Green was a barrier-breaking figure in his own right, by becoming the first African American appointed to Muni's top position from his beginnings with the Agency as a bus operator. With his 1974 appointment, Green also became the first African American to ...
Post a Comment
Read more