San Francisco's Transbay Transit Center Opens This Weekend

The $2.16 billion Transbay Transit Center opens to the public on August 11, with bus service launching on August 12.

2 minute read

August 8, 2018, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Salesforce Transit Center

Greenery can be seen poking from the top of the new Transbay Transit Center, set to open to the public this weekend. | InFootage / Shutterstock

John King provides the first look at a massive new transit station and public, rooftop park in San Francisco.

Complete and scheduled to open for bus service on August 12, the $2.16 billion Transbay Transit Center "has been the subject of grand plans and political controversies, struggles to stay on schedule and squabbles over costs," according to King. But when the fist bus bound from the East Bay fee of downtown traffic on an elevated concourse, "all of that changes."

King's assessment of the new Transbay Transit Center is as part "utilitarian bus station" and "part rooftop park." It's also the city's "freshest icon."

There's no shortage of detail and intrigue to be found at San Francisco's new icon. For instance, it will be important to note the preferred nomenclature. According to King, "the facility now officially bears the name Salesforce Transit Center, with Salesforce Park on top. That’s the trade-off for a 25-year, $110 million sponsorship deal with the tech firm, which is headquartered next door."

From design elements to programming plans to addressing concerns about security to plans to eventually bring train service to the facility (at a final cost of $4.2 billion), King covers a lot of ground with this feature-length story, complete with several high-quality video vignettes. We'll leave one final note of enticement toward the source article with this key passage:

But consider what has been accomplished. A major work of 21st century infrastructure has not only been summoned into existence, it has helped summon up a neighborhood around it. The notion of a larger public — public transit and public spaces and large-scale public investment — is being celebrated, not scorned.

Monday, August 6, 2018 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post