26 November, 2021

The Board of HANC would first  like to commend staff for its acceptance of the overwhelming majority of MUNI riders preference for the restoration of full service (called by SFMTA staff  the "Familiar Alternative") to MUNI .  Specifically,  we would like to commend staff for the partial restoration of the 21 Hayes and the full restoration of the 6 Parnassus and the 43 Masonic lines.  These are crucial services to the over 20,000 residents of the Haight-Ashbury and we welcome their return.

We, however, are disappointed with the proposals dramatic increase in headways for the 6 Parnassus (an increase from 12 minutes pre-pandemic to the proposed 20 minutes) and the 21 Hayes to 15 minutes (from the pre-pandemic 12 minutes).  We understand that in some measure these unacceptable increases in headways are due to the unavailability of drivers and that MUNI staff are hard at work to recruit and  train new drivers. We are disappointed that SFMTA does not set a timeline on when the 6 and 21 will return to their pre-pandemic level of service.

In addition, the Board of HANC is opposed to the proposed  shortened route of the 21 Hayes, especially in its failure to be restored to stops accessible from SOMA and the Tenderloin.  It seems to ignore that SFMTA is proposing a closure of  JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and the 21 route historically linked those central city neighborhoods to the eastern portion of the park.  We urge a re-consideration of the shortened 21 Hayes route so as to continue that important historic link.

We appreciate the attention given our advocacy for the restoration of the 6, 21 and 43 lines. We are asking for additional consideration of  setting a timeline for the restoration of the headways for the 6 and 21 to pre-pandemic levels and for the inclusion of the SOMA and Tenderloin accesible stops for the 21.

Thank you,

Lisa Awbrey

HANC President