Transit Almost Entirely Shut Down in San Francisco

Only 17 of San Francisco's 89 Muni transit routes will still operate by the middle of the week.

1 minute read

April 6, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco Muni

Michael Vi / Shutterstock

After suspending light rail service at the end of March, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) took additional, drastic steps to curtail transit service in the city to protect the health and safety of drivers and riders during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

"From the Sunset to the Bayview, from Parkmerced to the Marina, Muni will cut service completely on roughly 70 routes — nearly every bus and train line it runs in San Francisco," reports Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez. 

"The decision did not come lightly, according to SFMTA, and is a 'risk management' measure to protect agency staff and the Muni riding public amid the coronavirus pandemic," adds Rodriguez. "[San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Director of Transportation Jeffrey] Tumlin said the lines that remain running will have full service, instead of the long waits riders have experienced in March, in order to ensure social distancing is possible for the remaining Muni riders.

Sunday, April 5, 2020 in San Francisco Examiner

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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

5 seconds ago - WESH

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

2 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA