Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit
The Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit project is designed to bring rapid transit services to the thoroughfare from Mission Street to Lombard Street.[1] Dedicated bus lanes for the 47 Van Ness bus, 49 Van Ness–Mission trolleybus, and Golden Gate Transit are to be constructed along the median with 6-inch (152 mm) side platforms for boarding and alighting passengers away from the curb.[2]
History
Van Ness had previously hosted trolley service in the form of the H Potrero streetcar line starting in 1915. The trolley poles used for that service were deemed too deteriorated to be retrofitted for modern use.[3]
Construction is set to start in 2016 with a completion date of 2018.
Controversy
There has been much community backlash pertaining to the change in traffic patterns and loss of parking along the corridor.[1] Concerns that trees would be removed were met with plans to plant more trees on the route.[3]
The use of low platforms with a high-floor buses has been criticized as bus rapid transit creep.[2]