San Francisco County Transportation Authority
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Latest News

Alternatives Screening Report

The Geary BRT Alternatives Screening Report is now available.  This report was adopted by the Transportation Authority Board on May 19, 2009 (click here for meeting agenda).  The report documents the screening process for advancing the set of alternatives for analysis in the environmental study.  Click here to view the Alternatives Screening Report.

Upcoming GCAC Meeting

The next meeting of the Geary BRT Citizens Advisory Committee (GCAC) will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 pm at the Transportation Authority.  Click here for more information.

March Plans & Programs Update

The study team provided an update to the Plans & Programs Committee of the Transportation Authority Board at their March meeting.  Download the staff presentation or view the staff presentation using SFGTV video on demand for more information.

Scoping Period Completed

The Geary BRT NEPA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping comment period began on November 24, 2008 and concluded on December 24, 2008. We appreciate the varied suggestions and feedback that were submitted on the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives and impacts.  Feedback from affected agencies, neighborhood residents and business owners, and the GCAC were incorporated into a draft summary of public scoping.

Since the conclusion of the scoping period in December 2008, the study team has developed a framework for screening the full set of alternatives suggested during scoping.  The screening process will result in a recommendation to advance a limited set of alternatives for analysis (including the No Project) in the environmental analysis.

Click here to view the NEPA Notice of Intent, as published in the Federal Register on November 24.

Click here to view the CEQA Notice of Preparation.

Click here to view the Draft Scoping Summary Report. 

Project Newsletter

The most recent project newsletter is available for download in several languages:

• English
• Chinese (中文)
• Japanese (日本語)
• Russian (Русский)
• Spanish (Español)
• Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

Get Involved

Though the scoping period has closed, your input is important and there will be additional opportunities to submit feedback throughout the study.  In addition to workshops to be held at key points in the process, the bi-monthly meetings of the Geary BRT CAC are open to the public. 

You may also contact the Study Team to join the Study mailing list or to request a presentation or meeting on this effort.

Project Background

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 (SFMTA).  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 2012/13.

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.