SFMTA announces early subway closure, more bus substitutions starting Aug. 12Photos: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline
Teresa Hammerl
Published on August 02, 2019

Muni commuters: get ready for a two-week long subway closure starting Monday, August 12. Riders are encouraged to plan for extra travel time when riding during the subway closure.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced the subway between Embarcadero and West Portal stations will close its doors at 9:30 p.m. Then, buses will run above ground through the regular end of train service, around 1 a.m. According to SFMTA spokesperson Erica Kato, the last outbound train would usually leave the West Portal station around 1:15 a.m. 

Regular bus fares will apply on bus shuttles and valid transfers will be accepted. Shuttle buses will serve all Muni subway stops between the Embarcadero (at Brannan) and St. Francis Circle (at West Portal station).

Kato tells Hoodline that the transit agency will perform complex work during the two weeks aimed at making subway operations more reliable and preventing future breakdowns. "The maintenance will cover overhead lines, tracks, signals, and the Automated Train Control System, a signal system that tracks the location and speed of any trains in the subway," she said.

Over the last few months, subway riders have faced regular delays, slow-moving cars due to congestion issues as well as total breakdowns. After an overhead power loss, subway service was suspended for almost a day back in April. The early closure will begin just days after a ten-day bus shuttle substitution on the T-Third line between Embarcadero and Sunnydale stations.

The upcoming nightly closure leaves more time for maintenance before the SFMTA has to reopen for the morning commute.

Expect K-Ingleside and M-Oceanview train service between Balboa Park and St. Francis Circle. L-Taraval buses will run between Embarcadero (at Brannan) and the San Francisco Zoo. N-Judah trains will run between Ocean Beach and Church and Duboce, while inbound trains will become outbound trains at Church and Duboce.

J-Church trains will run between Balboa Park and Church and Duboce, while inbound trains will also become outbound trains at Church and Duboce. The SFMTA added that trains of inbound N-Judah and outbound J-Church lines will use the accessible stop at the Duboce Portal to serve customers needing the ramp.

Finally, T-Third trains will be in service between Sunnydale and the Embarcadero (at Brannan).