Again, I bring up Chicago, a city with 4X the residents of San Francisco, but with about the same budget. Despite the massive Democrat machine/patronage system that exists in Chicago, it’s run much more efficiently despite having 4X the population, significantly more school-age kids, more parks, more upkeep (snow removal, a more extensive transit system, etc), a larger land area, etc. etc.

I don’t get why there isn’t more agitation for change, except that SFtransplants figure that their stay is temporary so why bother (of course long-time natives have completely bought into “the best place in the world” propaganda). Or if they do stay, that means they’ve struck gold, so who cares (not taking the bus anymore when you’re a Googlionaire, kids are in private schools, etc).

MUNI can be whatever it is you want it to be. People in San Francisco are more than happy to accept mediocrity from their government, and accept high taxes as well. People in San Francisco do not demand much of their public servants, and don’t really care too much how often they screw things up (the fact that the murder and crime rate is spiraling upwards and yet we had no one bother to challenge the Mayor or DA in 2007 is an example), so really, while I do my best with my goofy little blog to provide a forum for folks to vent, the sad fact is that San Franciscans love to pay more and get less, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Muni has the highest accident rate in the country. I’m all for personal responsibility; it’d be better for all of us if the muni drivers faced some consequences.

That’s the problem. Pedestrians need to pay equal attention for other vehicles, be it MUNI, bicycles, motorcycles or cars. I’m sure for everyone bad vehicle operator story, there’s one for bikers, pedestrians, etc.

Personal responsibility went out the door as soon as there’s an easy target to blame.

It’s another patronage system and dumping ground for sub-moronic bureaucrats who don’t care about little things like running people over and actually showing up on time.

If San Franciscans would get their collective heads out of their behinds, they’d wake up and find out that their “lovely” city is a wasted old harlot. Muni’s just another wart.

Gogo: You’re right: I did forget about cable cars, because I never ride them, but you’re absolutely correct that they too present problems and now that you mention it, I’ve noticed that dangerous disembarking situation.

Fred, I appreciate that you would comment here; my response to you was said better by Ron than anything I could say myself.

I also don’t think it’s too much to ask that MUNI run a system effectively and safely, and stop balancing the budget by cutting the things that make it safer.

If everyone does their part in a congested urban area, we minimize the risk for all. The Stalinist “kill all who aren’t wealthy hipsters” stuff though, is bogus.

No one is immune!