San Francisco Municipal Railway fleet
With five different modes of transport, the San Francisco Municipal Railway runs one of the most diverse fleets of vehicles in the United States.
Roughly 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses, 300 electric trolleybuses, 250 modern light rail vehicles, 50 historic streetcars and 40 cable cars see active duty.
In 2020, Muni completed the process of replacing its motor coach fleet – the first of which was procured in 1915[1] – with diesel-electric hybrid buses.
As of 2022[update], Muni operates a fleet of roughly 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses and 300 electric trolleybuses, consisting nearly entirely of New Flyer Xcelsior coaches which have a high degree of parts commonality.
[17] The diesel-electric hybrid technology has proven very capable of climbing San Francisco's steep hills.
[citation needed] Before 2007, Muni had an all-Diesel fleet that had been purchased from three manufacturers, NABI, Neoplan and Orion, all of whom no longer sell buses in the U.S. (NABI merged into New Flyer, Neoplan left the North American market, and Daimler shutdown Orion), making repairs challenging.
After purchasing its first hybrid buses in 2007, the agency embarked on a nearly 15 year project to replace the entire fleet.
The new fleet has averaged more miles between road calls – in which a mechanic services a transit vehicle on the street[18] – than the prior diesel coaches.
Historically, Muni ran ETBs from Brill, the St. Louis Car Company, Twin Coach, Marmon-Herrington, Flyer (E800 and E60) and Electric Transit, Inc. (ETI) (Skoda/AAI 14TrSF and 15TrSF).
Muni previously had not bought battery-electric buses (BEBs) because they were not proven on steep hills and on high-ridership routes.
[30] Under the pilot program plan, the buses will operate on the 9 San Bruno, 22 Fillmore, 29 Sunset, and 44 O'Shaughnessy routes.
[34] Under the revised ZEB Rollout Plan, the existing fleet of trolleybuses would be replaced one-for-one starting in 2031; the existing fleet of hybrid diesel-electric buses would be gradually replaced starting in 2026 with battery-electric buses until the planned retirement of the last diesel hybrids in 2037.
[34]: 20–21 The yard upgrades were re-sequenced and accelerated: Kirkland (91 chargers, 2022–25), Potrero (216, 2024–27), Islais Creek (117, 2024–30), Presidio (227, 2027–31), Flynn (107, 2029–34), and Woods (250, 2030–35).
[34]: 59 Around the turn of the twentieth century, there were numerous cable car lines providing service to many sections of the city.
Muni has expanded its fleet with new Siemens light rail vehicles; the 151 Bredas will be replaced one-for-one starting in 2021.
[37][38] Four more Siemens LRV4s were ordered in June 2017 for Phase W, which anticipates expanded service to Chase Center, using the Mission Bay Transportation Improvement Fund.
[46]: 3 Since delivery of the Siemens LRV4 fleet has been ahead of schedule, Muni is considering an earlier retirement for some of the oldest Breda cars.
The vintage fleet is looked over by the nonprofit Market Street Railway organization, but the vehicles are owned and operated by Muni.
A third group of PCC cars originally built for Muni in 1948 and 1952 were restored at Brookville in 2010–2011 and subsequently returned to service.
[72] Henrioulle had intended to use the PCCs for a heritage streetcar line called Tahoe Valley Lines, but the government of South Lake Tahoe, California did not approve his plans and he was forced to sell off most of his fleet in 2001; four of his Baby Tens (#1026, 1027, 1038, and 1034)[72] were reacquired by Muni at this time.
These cars were retired in 1982 with the inauguration of Muni Metro LRV/subway service, with most being sold off to Henrioulle for Tahoe Valley Lines.
A diverse collection of authentic vintage trolleys, trams, and streetcars from cities other than San Francisco.
