Launch of the Free Cable Cars
Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick
Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.
For the first time since March of 2020, cable cars are again carrying passengers up and down the hills of San Francisco. From a statement from the Mayor's office:
Starting today, we will ask the public to help the agency roll out a soft launch of the system by riding the lines when cable car conductors are making stops and inviting passengers aboard for the duration of “mock service.” This mock service will be irregular, not following a particular schedule as the SFMTA works out the official rollout of the system. The SFMTA will not be collecting fares for cable car rides during the month of August in exchange for the public’s help riding the system.
Mayor London Breed, at a press conference for the relaunch Monday morning, asked tourists and other riders to be patient because when things are free "you know what happens." She added that she can't imagine San Francisco without cable cars. "No trip is complete without a ride on our cable cars."
"148 years ago on this spot they first tried Hallidie's folly," said SFMTA director Jeffrey Tumlin, referring to what people first called Andrew Smith Hallidie invention, which was based on mining technology of the time.
But, in short order, cable cars proved very popular as a way to ride comfortably up and down San Francisco's steep hills. From an SFMTA post on cable car history:
Hallidie's cable car system would survive the great San Francisco earthquake and fires of 1906, soldier on through two World Wars and outlast political attempts to remove the cars from city steets in the late 1940s and 1950s to become the worldwide symbol of San Francisco that it is today.
Tumlin added that all three lines, the Powell-Hyde, the Powell-Mason, and the California lines, will be running from around 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. By early September the lines are supposed to resume full, paid service.
Breed concluded her statements, reminding people to be thankful they've made it this far through the pandemic and to please get vaccinated.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog California
Caltrans Readies Guidance for Complete Streets, with a Big Exemption
But somewhere along the way, highway interchanges - roads crossing and going under and over freeways and highways - were exempted from the guidelines
Guest Opinion: Ten Years In, CA Active Transportation Program Lays Bare a Tale of Two Agencies
L.A. County needs to embrace physically-protected bikeways, robust traffic calming around schools, and similarly transformative, safety-focused projects
To Help Save the Planet, Take the ‘Week Without Driving’ Challenge
Former Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz is urging Americans to give up driving for seven days — and support policies to make it optional for everyone.
Commentary: Let’s Talk About the Real “Fatal Flaw” on Valencia
How many people have to die before professional advocates stop endorsing the Valencia Street "experiment" on people?
Friday’s Headlines
Caltrans, we need complete streets everywhere, including at freeway interchanges (or maybe especially there); Public agencies and academics join forces to develop AV standards; Republicans really want to suspend the gas tax; More
