Supervisor Carmen Chu, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and the SFPD today announced a new effort to enhance pedestrian safety around Muni transit vehicles. Decals have been placed on the back of Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) in the entire fleet this week, indicating to drivers that they must stop when Muni passengers are either exiting or entering an LRV.

“The Sunset District contains some of the longest stretches where Light Rail Vehicles are above ground and pedestrians are more prone to the dangers of vehicles,” said Supervisor Carmen Chu. “I have seen many near misses, and I commend the SFMTA for taking this important step to address safety for pedestrians around LRVs.”

“Muni vehicles operate in traffic citywide. The SFMTA wants to ensure that motorists sharing the road with Muni are aware of the need to stop for Muni customers as they exit the vehicles and proceed to their destinations as pedestrians,” said Samuel Lau, SFMTA Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

Captain Paul Chignell of Taraval Police Station said that the SFPD would increase enforcement for this violation to improve pedestrian safety. The relevant California Vehicle Code Section is 21756(A). The fine for this moving violation is $146.

The SFMTA created the decal for placement on all Muni LRVs, and they reinforce the onstreet signs that alert motorists to the need for caution. Both the decals and signs are part of an ongoing effort to make pedestrians near Muni vehicles safer. More than a dozen pedestrian incidents have occurred on the N Judah and L Taraval Muni Lines over the past five years.

Established in 1987 to represent the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, OCA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.