MUNI - 1 California

With her Tesla parked at the hotel, and both of us still a bit tipsy from our continuing on/off drinking, my friend and I decided to take a Muni 1 bus. My phone was dead so I couldn't call an Uber and she thought it would be fun to ride the bus again (I never stopped), so off we went to the nearby bus stop and I used my two clipper cards to pay for us ($2.50 each) and yes, I was prepared.

Once boarded, we enjoyed a fairly crowded rush hour ride, cruising through Financial District, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and then the crowd eased as we went up Pac Height, further and further we went until we reached near my place. We got off, walked a bit and got in to see my little pup just finishing his din din and jumping up and down eager to see us. And my hubby was just as surprised since he thought I would be coming home until much later. Our girl's day not over yet, but phone batteries did (well hers didn't but it was getting there.)

Every day I watch road raging muni bus drivers, absolutely laying on their horn at all hours, as they approach clay/Mason which should be a stop sign but instead heavy white lines/yield. Most of the time if a pedestrian is crossing or a car is turning from Mason onto Clay, drivers will yield to accommodate, as they should.

But OHHHHH NO HEEEELLLLLL no Muni drivers lay on that horn super long TAILGATING every inch of the way- when any courteous car stops to let some old ladies cross the street or whatever.

I'll gladly provide video clips as it happens alllll the time. These drivers (I'm sure there are some nice ones) have been SO rude I always say I'm going to write a review and I never do. Well today as I crossed Sacramento in front of the bus at the Sproule stop- the driver- whom I looked right at and waived as I crossed in front of the bus that a passenger had just boarded and was still standing next to the bus driver- when the bus lurched forward towards my dog and I- completely scared us and the driver gave us some gesture I couldn't even believe it!!

I know it's a tough job I sure couldn't do it. I'm sure there must be a lot of bad days to endure and Im sympathetic honestly - but my little sweet dog and I have in no way been a part of it and I wish it could be better than this

Recently moved to SF and take the muni to and from work. Love the system of having these trains but some of the drivers are complete assholes. My stop that I get on after work is a stop when the drivers will switch shifts so the bus will be off. This has happened a number of times where some of the drivers will leave the doors open so passengers can get on which is very nice but other times, the drivers will keep the doors shut, turn on the bus and drive away... like wtf. Pay nearly $100 a month just to wait 40 minutes for a bus. might as well run home.

Actually the only time I ride the 1 California is from Embarcadero Shopping Center to Van Ness and back. It's great that Embarcadero Shopping Center is the first/last stop, which enables me to usually get a seat. Once the bus goes down Nob Hill, it's like a fast roller coaster ride to Van Ness and I can get to my destination on time.

Overly packed and everyone is yelling at each other. No respect for ANYONE. Just horrible...however...it gets better after Stockton St. EVERYONE gets off on Stockton St. About 90% will leave. They do have more consistent buses then other runs...which is nice...but its NYC inside. Not necessary to yell.

Buses on this route come frequently so I don't think I've had any problems. This route can also be very crowded since it does pass by Chinatown.

1 California to Geary and 33rd Ave

The SF MUNI is a Stellar example of just how bad public transportation can get. Absolutely hit or miss schedules, particularly for the muni trains, no matter the hour. I take the muni 6 days a week to and from work and I can almost guarantee that I'll be late one way or another.

Trains more often than not come stacked one after another because one of them is always late. Some trains are out right "out of service" when it comes around. I've ended up catching uber/lift on many occasions when MUNI was especially ridiculous.

Be sure to hop on the 3rd or 4th one before your original planned trip. You WILL BE late!

This is my least favorite bus line in all of SF.

If you want to ride a bus on a rainy day that decides with no warning to stop at Presidio and force everyone to get off, this is the line for your.

If you're in a hurry and need to get somewhere on time, but also want to spend 7 minutes parked at Presidio while the driver jokes around with his bus driver friends while switching shifts, this is the bus for you.

Just take an Uber express pool and save yourself the frustration.

"Finding a good bus driver can be as important as fining a good musician."
Reba McEntire

Growing up in SF, the "1" was, and still is, the main bus-line to take you from the Embarcadero to the Outer Richmond/Seacliff and back. I do recommend it to people, from time to time, because of the straight line the route takes through the City. You even have the "A" and "B" Express lines during rush hour to get you to work or home faster. Still, I tell everyone, ride it at your own risk and bring lots of sanitizing wipes to clean your seats and handrails!

So, why only 2 stars? The DRIVERS!
In all fairness, most of them are great.
Unfortunately some of them are not, in a freaking DANGEROUS way. When they are running late they have no problemo charging red lights or cutting drivers off in order to make their time checks. You seriously have to look both ways and wait several seconds on California Street at stop signs or when the light turns green before, either walking or driving across, since there might be a late running "1 Californiazilla" on the damn warpath, charging down the bloody road! I will NEVER, EVER forget the day, about a decade ago, when I was jogging along California street and a speeding 1 California bus collided with a large fire engine that had its sirens on in front of my eyes...GEEZ!!!

Muni is never on time. Always having problems. They should not provide transportation if they can not provide good service.