San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Moving the City

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Join us for a Public Scoping Meeting

The Transportation Authority, in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, is hosting public scoping meetings to obtain public input on the Geary BRT project alternatives and the environmental impacts to be analyzed during the environmental analysis.  Two public scoping meetings have been scheduled:

• Thursday, December 4, 2008, 6-8 pm:  Self Help for the Elderly / Jackie Chan Activity Center, 408 - 22nd Avenue (at Geary)
• Saturday, December 6, 2008, 10 am - 12 noon:  Tenderloin Community School, 627 Turk Street (at Polk)

Click here to download a meeting announcement.

The Geary BRT NEPA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping comment period begins on November 24, 2008 and will conclude on December 24, 2008.  Click here to comment in writing.

Most Recent GCAC Meeting

The second meeting of the Geary BRT Citizens Advisory Committee (GCAC) was held Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 pm at the Transportation Authority.  Click here for more information on the GCAC and to download meeting materials.

Project Status

In 2007, the Authority Board approved the final report of the Geary Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study (the Feasibility Study).  At that time, the Board called for environmental analysis and engineering.  The environmental analysis will identify the benefits and impacts of BRT alternatives, recommend a preferred alternative for Geary, and develop a set of strategies to mitigate potential impacts of BRT implementation.

The Transportation Authority is leading the environmental study, in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA).  The Study Team and other public agencies are working collaboratively with the Geary BRT Citizens Advisory Committee (GCAC), as well as inviting public participation through community meetings.

With approval of the Feasibility Study, the Study Team is initiating more detailed analysis through an environmental review of BRT on Geary.  Once the project scope is refined through this study, the engineering and construction phases can proceed, with the goal of opening service in 2012.

Bus Rapid Transit

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to speed up buses and make service more reliable and comfortable. BRT systems typically:

• Give buses their own traffic lane so they can run faster with fewer impediments;
• Give buses priority at traffic signals so they spend less time stopped at red lights;
• Provide real time information to riders so they know when the next bus is coming;
• Build high-quality and well-lit bus stations to improve safety and comfort; and
• Provide streetscape improvements and amenities to make the street safer and more comfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists accessing the transit stations.

Geary Boulevard is the most heavily used transit corridor in the northern part of San Francisco.  Over 50,000 daily transit riders rely on Geary bus service, which is often unreliable and crowded.  The implementation of BRT features, such as dedicated bus lanes and high-quality bus shelters, is being considered to improve service for existing riders, attract new transit riders, and prevent increased auto congestion caused by existing riders switching to driving because of dissatisfaction with transit.

Environmental Analysis

The objective of the environmental analysis is to idenfity a preferred alternative for Geary by:

• Preparing a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIR/EIS), which identifies potential environmental impacts of the project alternatives;
• Involving the public and partner agencies; and
• Complying with federal and state requirements.