Background

Retaining and expanding transit's share of travel in San Francisco is a major strategic challenge for the city as it grows into the future. The City's 2004 Countywide Transportation Plan helps to implement San Francisco's Transit First Policy by funding cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) treatments on the city's network of Transit Preferential Streets, including Van Ness Avenue.  The 2006 Van Ness BRT Feasibility Study Developed several configurations of BRT for Van Ness, identified initial benefits and impacts, and recommended the next step in project development- the environmental analysis.  Browse here for more info on the Feasibility Study .  

A joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) has been initiated to meet federal and state rules.  The EIR/EIS will determine any significant negative effects on the environment from BRT on Van Ness, identify measures to mitigate any effects, and provide the Authority Board with information needed to decide whether or not to build BRT on Van Ness Avenue. 

Latest News

Project Background  

Van Ness Citizens Advisory Committee  

Environmental Analysis 

Feasibility Study 

Project Schedule      

Fact Sheet

Contact/Comment 

Latest News

Van Ness BRT CAC meeting!  The Van Ness CAC meets next on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009. View the meeting agenda and materials for the most recent meeting, held September 8th, 2009.    

Summary of Fall 2007 Public Scoping Meetings!  The Authority, in partnership with SFMTA, hosted two public scoping meetings in support of the joint EIR/EIS in October 2007.   The purpose of these meetings was to obtain public input on the alternatives to be analyzed and the types of impacts to be evaluated. You can browse through the materials presented and watch a slideshow of the presentation here , or read the Summary of the Scoping Meetings . 

Updated Fact Sheet:  Download this Fact Sheet on Van Ness BRT and spread the word!

Let the buses roll in San Francisco: Read the January 21, 2007, SF Chronicle editorial on Bus Rapid Transit. 

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Project Background

Retaining and expanding transit's share of travel in San Francisco is a major strategic challenge for the city as it grows into the future.  The City's 2004 Countywide Transportation Plan helps to implement San Francisco's Transit First Policy by funding cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) treatments on the city's network of Transit Preferential Streets.

Van Ness Avenue is a key north-south spine in San Francisco's transit system, linking important east-west transit routes (such as the 38-Geary) as well as regional services (MUNI Metro, Caltrain, and BART). Today, Van Ness buses do not operate as quickly or reliably as is needed to provide rapid travel and effective connections.

The Transportation Authority, in close coordination with the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), completed the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study as a key first step towards bringing major bus improvements to Van Ness Avenue, possibly including dedicated bus lanes, distinctive boarding stations, real-time bus arrival information, and urban design treatments.  Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is high quality transit service that reduces travel time, increases reliability and improves passenger comfort beyond regular bus service. BRT combines the flexibility of buses and the quality of light rail at a fraction of the cost.  Typical BRT improvements include travel lanes for exclusive transit use; wider sidewalks at bus stops; traffic signal priority for transit vehicles; full stations with passenger amenities; multi-door boardings at sidewalk-level platforms; pre-paid boarding areas; and real-time information systems. 

The Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study analyzed the feasibility of BRT treatments on Van Ness through technical analysis and community outreach.

Improvements on Van Ness have been prioritized for early funding through the Transportation Authority’s 2005 Strategic Plan and Prop K, the 2003 voter approved transportation sales tax measure.

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citizens advisory committee

  The Van Ness Citizens Advisory Committee (VN CAC) advises Authority staff throughout the environmental analysis.  

 VN CAC Meeting #1

• September 25th, 2007, 6-8 pm,100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor (between Hayes and Fell)
• Meeting Agenda
• Item #2 Materials
• Item #3 Materials

VN CAC Meeting #2 

• December 4th, 2007, 5-7 pm,100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor (between Hayes and Fell)
• Meeting Agenda
• Item #2 Materials
• Item #4 Materials
• Item #6 Materials

VN CAC Meeting #3 

• January 29, 2008, 5-7 pm,100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor (between Hayes and Fell)
• Meeting Agenda
  
• Item #2 Materials
• Item #4 Memo and Attachment
  
• Item #5 Materials
  

VN CAC Meeting #4

• March 4, 2008, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda and Materials 

VN CAC Meeting #5

• June 3, 2008, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda
• Materials for Item #2
• Materials for Item #4

VN CAC Meeting #6

• September 2, 2008, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda 
• Materials for Item #2
• Memo for Item #4 ; Attachment Part 1 (5MB) ; Attachment Part 2 (7MB) ; Attachment Part 3 (2MB)
• Memo for Item #5 ; Attachment
  

VN CAC Meeting #7

• December 2, 2008, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda 
• Materials for Item #2
• Materials for Item #6

VN CAC Meeting #8

• March 3, 2009, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda
• Materials for Item #2
• Materials for Item #4
  
• More Materials for Item #4
• Materials for Item #6
  
• Materials for Item #7

VN CAC Meeting #9

• April 7, 2009, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Agenda
• Materials for Item #2
• Materials for Item #6
• More Materials for Item #6

VN CAC Meeting #10

• June 2nd, 2009, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Meeting Agenda
• Materials for Item#2
  
• Memo for Item #4 and Attachment 1
• Memo for Item #5 and Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 .

VN CAC Meeting #11

• July 14, 2009, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
  
• Agenda Packet (4 MB)

VN CAC Meeting #12

• September 8, 2009, 5-7 pm, 100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor
• Agenda Packet (4MB)
  
• Meeting Agenda  
• Materials for Item #2
• Materials for Item #4 
• More Materials for Item #4 
• Materials for Item #5 
• Materials for Item #6
• More Materials for Item #6 
• Materials for Item #7
  

environmental analysis (joint environmental impact statement / report) 

Purpose 

The objective of the Environmental Analysis is to identify a preferred BRT Alternative for Van Ness Avenue, 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
• Complying with federal and state requirements
  

Impacts that will be assessed in this phase include: traffic operations; transit performance; pedestrian and bicycle conditions; parking; air quality; energy; construction impacts; historic and cultural resources; and visual and aesthetic impacts.

Timeline 

The Scoping phase of the Environmental Analysis recently concluded.  We are currently preparing the draft EIR/EIS.

 Documents and More Information

• Notice of Intent
• Notice of Preparation
• Summary of Scoping Meetings
  
• Public Workshop Materials: 
  
  • Slideshow: 1 | 2 | 3 |  4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22
  • Presentation (3MB)
    

Project Schedule

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Fact Sheet:

English | Spanish (Español) | Chinese (中文)

We want to hear from you!

For more information on the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project, the joint EIR/EIS,  to comment, or to schedule a presentation for your community organization, e-mail Rachel Hiatt or write to: SFCTA, Attn: Rachel Hiatt, 100 Van Ness Ave., 26th Floor, San Francisco CA 94102.

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