Public pressure led the city of San Francisco to cut and relocate tech shuttle stops. Now the cities at the other end of the commute might be dealing with the consequences of those decisions.
According to an article by Wendy Lee, more employees of Facebook are driving alone to the company's headquarters in Menlo Park since San Francisco cut the number of shuttle bus stops allowed in the Mission District and other neighborhoods around the city.
According to Lee, the SFMTA "has closed 33 shuttle stops, while adding others" since the launch of a pilot program in August 2014. "With an official program in place as of April," adds Lee, "the total number of stops has gone from 125 to 110." That official program "allows tech buses to share Muni stops for at least a year but also requires buses longer than 35 feet to stick to major thoroughfares."
As a result, fewer Facebook employees are taking the shuttle and choosing to drive instead—according to a recent Facebook report to the city of Menlo Park. According to that report, "on May 9, trips entering Facebook’s complex at One Hacker Way increased by about 16 percent to 12,400 compared with May 8 of last year." The MTA is also undertaking a study of shuttle ridership, and considering further refining the shuttle system to operate on a hub model—which would move stops to locations like the Transbay Terminal instead of the residential neighborhoods.
FULL STORY: More tech workers driving solo after SF cuts shuttle stops
Better to Appease Irate Neighbors Than Decrease Car Commuting
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial supports the decision by the Municipal Transportation Agency to 'bow' to complaints from residents about the large tech buses by reducing their stops in their neighborhoods even if it means increasing car trips.
On Demand Shuttle Operator to Cease Operations in Nine Cities
San Francisco-based shuttle operator Chariot, acquired by Ford Motor Company in 2016, will end its operations by March in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin, New York, Columbus, Detroit, Denver, and London.
Facebook Could Partner With Local Transit Authorities to Repair Defunct Rail Bridge
The Dunbarton Rail Bridge has been out of service since the 1980s. In a potentially groundbreaking development, Facebook is interested in repairing the bridge to serve multi-modal commuters.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions