San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Moving the City

Background

In November 2003, 75% of San Francisco voters approved the Prop K Expenditure Plan, which calls for an expanded network of fast, reliable transit including bus rapid transit (BRT) in San Francisco.  Geary is the key east-west corridor identified for BRT improvements.

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 and the Prop K Expenditure Plan by prioritizing a Transit Priority Network, including bus rapid transit (BRT) on Geary.

In May 2007, the Transportation Authority Board approved the final report of the Geary Corridor BRT Study (the Feasibility Study).  At that time, the Board also approved funding for environmental review and preliminary engineering.  This process is underway in 2008. 

The Feasibility Study

The Transportation Authority, in partnership with the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), conducted the Feasibility Study as a first step toward determining if BRT is right for Geary.  The Study Team worked collaboratively with the Feasibility Study's Geary Citizens Advisory Committee and other public agencies, including the Planning Department, the Department of Public Works, and Golden Gate Transit.

As part of the Feasibility Study, the Study Team developed design principles and guidelines for BRT on Geary, completed a corridor needs assessment, and developed proposed conceptual designs.  The needs assessment identified the following high priorities in the corridor:

• Rapid transit service is needed to serve northern San Francisco.
• Ridership patterns and congestion warrant all day transit priority.
• Streetscape and urban design enhancements are needed to beautify and bridge neighborhoods.
• Pedestrian safety improvements are a high priority.

Feasibility Study Final Report

• Geary Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Study, Feasibility Study Final Report (PDF, 9 MB)

• Appendix A: Needs Assessment Report
• Appendix B: Rail Ready Report
• Appendix C: Evaluation Categories
• Appendix D: Travel Demand Modeling
• Appendix E: Simulation Modeling
• Appendix F: Preliminary Parking Analysis
• Appendix G: Outreach Report
• Appendix H: Transit Rider Experience Matrices
• Appendix I: Cost Estimates
• Appendix J: Design Principles and Guidelines
• Appendix K: Vehicle Configuration