Mayor Lee stands outside a malfunctioning bus at a Muni
event today meant to unveil new hybrid buses. Photo: Dan McMenamin
2:43 PM: An event intended to unveil dozens of new San Francisco Municipal Railway buses hit a snag today when one of the buses malfunctioned with the mayor on board.
Mayor Ed Lee and other city officials had touted the new biodiesel-electric hybrid buses at a news conference at Pier 48 near AT&T Park and then hopped on board one of them to be transported to City Hall.
However, the bus could not be driven away, and the mayor and the rest of the group were ushered onto another bus.
Crews were initially looking at the bus’ hydraulic system as the source of the problem, but later determined that a sensor was incorrectly showing that the rear door of the vehicle was open, which prevented the bus from driving away, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said.
The problem has since been resolved and crews will check the rest of the new buses to make sure similar issues don’t pop up, Rose said.
The vehicles are part of a fleet of 62 new hybrid buses being introduced into the Muni system starting this week. Muni has not had any new buses since 2007, agency officials said.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency director of transportation Ed Reiskin said the buses will provide “a smoother, nicer ride” and “really represent a significant investment in transit.”
Mayor Lee said the buses are “greener and cleaner” than previous Muni buses and will help shuttle riders to various large events taking place in the city this summer, including the America’s Cup sailing races and concerts in Golden Gate Park.
The new buses, which cost about $752,000 each, are being paid for with federal, state and local funding and will replace 13-year-old buses currently in service, Muni officials said.
One of the new buses will be on display to the public in front of City Hall until 5 p.m. today.
Muni workers struggle to fix a malfunctioning bus at a Muni event today meant to unveil new hybrid buses. Photo: Dan McMenamin
1:18 PM: An event intended to unveil dozens of new San Francisco Municipal Railway buses today hit a snag when one of the buses malfunctioned.
Mayor Ed Lee and other city officials were on the new bus waiting to be taken to City Hall after a news conference at Pier 48 near AT&T Park when the mishap occurred.
The bus could not be driven away, and the mayor and the rest of the group had to be ushered onto another bus. Muni spokesman Paul Rose said it appears there was an issue with the bus’ hydraulic system.
The vehicles are part of a fleet of 62 new biodiesel-electric hybrid buses being introduced into the Muni system, which has not had any new buses since 2007, agency officials said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
