Jump to content

San Francisco Municipal Railway fleet

From Alfawiki
San Francisco Municipal Railway
Company typePublic transit agency
IndustryPublic transportation
Founded1912
Headquarters
San Francisco
,
United States
Area served
San Francisco, California
ProductsBus, trolleybus, light rail vehicles, streetcars, cable cars
Websitehttps://www.sfmta.com/

With a fleet spanning five distinct transit types, the San Francisco Municipal Railway manages one of the most varied collections of vehicles in the United States. The system includes roughly 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses, 300 electric trolleybuses, around 250 advanced light rail cars, 50 vintage streetcars, and 40 cable cars in operation.

Muni’s cable car network stands as the globe’s oldest and largest continuously operating system of its kind, while its electric trolleybus fleet ranks as the biggest in the nation. By 2020, Muni had fully modernized its motor coach lineup—originally introduced in 1915—by transitioning to diesel-electric hybrid buses.

Fleet overview

The table below provides an overview of Muni’s active vehicles. Accessibility is ensured for all buses at every stop. Although streetcars are accessible, certain surface stops on the E and F lines, as well as many Muni Metro surface stops, lack full accessibility. Cable cars do not offer accessible boarding.


Facilities

|- Islais Creek |- 2013 |- 105 |- 60-foot hybrid buses |-

|- style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | Superseded an open yard with a $127 million enclosed facility in 2017; designed to replace Kirkland Yard but attracted criticism due to absence of promised community amenities. |}


Bus fleet

By the year 2022, Muni’s fleet comprised approximately 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses alongside around 300 electric trolleybuses, predominantly New Flyer Xcelsior models sharing a high degree of parts compatibility. The only deviations are battery-electric pilot buses and shorter, 32-foot "community route" vehicles manufactured by ENC, as New Flyer does not produce Xcelsior models in that size.

Diesel-electric hybrid buses

Muni’s diesel-powered coaches range from 30 to 60 feet, all utilizing diesel-electric hybrid systems fueled by renewable diesel derived from biological feedstocks such as fats and oils. This hybrid technology provides effective performance on San Francisco’s steep inclines.

Prior to 2007, the entire bus fleet consisted of diesel-only vehicles from manufacturers no longer active in the U.S. market (including NABI, Neoplan, and Orion), which complicated upkeep. Starting in 2007, Muni initiated a nearly fifteen-year replacement program focused on hybrid buses. These newer hybrids have demonstrated enhanced dependability, achieving significantly greater distances between roadside breakdowns compared to the prior diesel-only fleet.

Electric trolleybuses

Muni manages the nation's largest fleet of electric trolleybuses (ETBs), serving numerous neighborhoods throughout the city. Although trolleybuses were once common across the United States, San Francisco remains one of just four cities maintaining an active ETB network. These vehicles are essential in navigating the city's challenging topography, as they handle significantly steeper inclines than typical buses, operate with reduced noise levels, and emit no pollutants locally.

The steepest incline within Muni’s trolleybus routes is a 22.8% grade on the 24-Divisadero line, ranking among the most demanding trolleybus grades worldwide. Muni has been operating trolleybuses since 1941, originally taking over routes from Market Street Railway. There have been discussions about converting certain diesel bus lines to trolleybus service.

In 1992, Muni introduced its first articulated 60-foot trolleybus—the New Flyer E60—which included wheelchair lifts to enhance accessibility. Today’s ETB fleet consists of articulated New Flyer XT60 models alongside standard 40-foot XT40 units. Over time, Muni has utilized trolleybuses manufactured by companies such as Brill, St. Louis Car Company, Twin Coach, Marmon-Herrington, Flyer, and Electric Transit Inc.

Battery-electric test buses

In 2018, the SFMTA Board resolved that beginning in 2025, only fully electric buses would be purchased, with plans to phase out all non-electric buses by 2035. Initially hesitant to adopt battery-electric buses (BEBs) due to concerns about their ability to perform on steep slopes and busy routes, Muni launched a pilot program in November 2019. Contracts were awarded to New Flyer ($4.5 million), BYD ($3.5 million), and Proterra ($5.3 million) to supply three BEBs each for evaluation purposes, with options for up to three additional units per manufacturer. A fourth contract was granted to Nova Bus ($4.8 million) in April 2021. These pilot BEBs are charged at Woods Yard using newly installed chargers and operate on routes including 9 San Bruno, 22 Fillmore, 29 Sunset, and 44 O'Shaughnessy. The first battery-electric bus began service in February 2022.

The Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan released in February 2021 details Muni’s initial production order of 54 articulated BEBs set for delivery in 2027, with complete retirement of diesel-electric hybrids targeted by 2037. By 2040, the entire fleet is expected to be battery-electric, comprising a total of 989 buses: 30-foot (30 units), 40-foot (497 units), and articulated 60-foot (462 units). Depot charging infrastructure will be installed at six yards; no plans currently exist for on-route charging stations. Yard upgrades featuring SAE J3105 inverted pantograph chargers are scheduled between 2024 and 2037 across Kirkland, Potrero, Flynn, Presidio, Islais Creek, and Woods facilities.

An updated version of the ZEB Rollout Plan issued in July 2022 accelerates and reorganizes yard charger installations and adjusts fleet replacement schedules. Starting in 2031, trolleybuses will be replaced on a one-for-one basis; meanwhile, diesel hybrids will gradually be phased out beginning in 2026 through BEB deployment until their full removal by 2037. By 2038, the fleet will consist of BEBs—30 units of 32-foot buses, 403 standard 40-foot buses, and 297 articulated 60-foot coaches—alongside trolleybuses remaining at 185 standard and 93 articulated vehicles. Charger installations at yards are now planned between 2022 and 2035 with a higher number of chargers per location. The overall project budget amounts to $1.8 billion: $1.4 billion allocated for new vehicles and $0.4 billion dedicated to charging infrastructure—excluding labor and other facility improvements.

Cable car fleet

At the dawn of the twentieth century, numerous cable car routes operated across various neighborhoods, with some vehicles manufactured directly by Muni. Today, only three lines remain active, utilizing a fleet of forty cable cars.

Modern light rail vehicles

When Muni Metro was launched, it operated 131 Boeing-Vertol LRV1 cars, which proved to be unreliable and were gradually withdrawn starting in 1997. These were succeeded by 151 Italian-made Breda LRV2 and LRV3 units, initially lauded for their dependability but later impacted by maintenance delays and design shortcomings.

To update the fleet, Muni initiated the replacement of Breda vehicles with new Siemens S200 LRV4 models beginning in 2021. The original agreement encompassed a potential total of 260 units: a base order of 175 cars (151 to replace Bredas and 24 for the Central Subway expansion), along with options for 40 and 45 additional vehicles. The first 68 LRV4 units were delivered between 2017 and 2019 ahead of the Central Subway's inauguration. Additional procurement includes four cars designated for Phase W expansion service to Chase Center, financed by the Mission Bay Transportation Improvement Fund. Option 1 (40 cars) was exercised in 2015, while Option 2 was partially activated (30 cars) in 2021, culminating in confirmed orders for 249 LRV4s.

The inaugural Siemens LRV4 commenced revenue service on November 17, 2017.

Retired and inactive light rail vehicles

The US Standard Light Rail Vehicle (USSLRV), developed in the 1970s by Boeing Vertol under the auspices of the US Urban Mass Transit Administration, sought to create a uniform light rail vehicle model across American systems. Originating as a defense conversion project near the end of the Vietnam War, it aimed to supplant aging PCC streetcar fleets and stimulate new light rail networks. Marketed as the Boeing LRV, it was purchased exclusively by San Francisco's Muni and Boston's MBTA. After a legal settlement, MBTA rejected its final batch of 40 cars, which Muni subsequently acquired.

Following the retirement of the last LRV1 in 2001, Muni preserved two units (1264 and 1320) for possible restoration by Market Street Railway (nonprofit), though these were ultimately scrapped in 2016. Two other LRV1 cars remain preserved: number 1213 at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum and number 1258 at the Western Railway Museum. Car No. 1271 currently functions as an office trailer within a Bay Area scrapyard.

The Breda LRV2/LRV3 series, consisting of 151 vehicles, is slated for decommissioning between 2021 and 2027, consistent with the Federal Transit Administration’s and Muni’s recommended 25-year service life for LRVs. With Siemens LRV4 deliveries progressing faster than anticipated, Muni is evaluating accelerated retirement schedules for some older Breda units.

Historic streetcar fleet

The F Market & Wharves and E Embarcadero lines feature historic streetcars in operation. Although the F-line heritage streetcar became a permanent year-round service in 1995, it initially debuted twelve years earlier as a temporary solution during the 1982–84 cable car suspension for infrastructure improvements, an event known as the San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival.

This collection primarily includes PCC cars and 1920s-era Peter Witt vehicles from Milan, alongside a variety of international streetcars acquired through purchase or donation.

The vintage fleet is managed by the nonprofit Market Street Railway, while Muni retains ownership and operational responsibilities.

PCC fleet

Muni's PCC streetcars are classified into five distinct groups based on fleet numbers and their original service origins:[1]

Initial group

Before their return to service in 1995, a number of PCC cars underwent restoration by Morrison-Knudsen. This process included three double-ended "Big Tens" (1007, 1010, and 1015), originally constructed for Muni, as well as the single-ended 1050-class units (1050–1064), which were initially part of the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC), now known as SEPTA. Both categories trace back to the late 1940s.

Car number 1054 was withdrawn from service following a major accident in 2003. Starting in 2014, Muni commenced comprehensive refurbishments of sixteen original cars at Brookville Equipment Corporation, beginning with car 1056. Subsequent rebuilds featured cars such as 1051, 1060, and 1059 among others, without a fixed sequence. The restoration of car 1051 was completed and it re-entered service in March 2017, dedicated to Harvey Milk, with car 1056 returning shortly thereafter.

Second group

The series of cars numbered 1070 through 1080 were initially acquired by Twin Cities Rapid Transit in 1946. These vehicles were sold to Newark in 1953 and operated on the Newark City Subway until they were phased out by newer light rail vehicles in 2001. In 2004, San Francisco Municipal Railway obtained these units and had them refurbished at Brookville Equipment Corporation. Some of these cars entered active service in early 2007 but were temporarily withdrawn due to electrical wiring problems, which were subsequently corrected. All cars in this set are single-ended.

Third group

Another batch of PCC cars constructed for Muni during 1948 and 1952 underwent restoration at Brookville between 2010 and 2011 before returning to operation. This collection includes four double-ended "Big Ten" models (numbers 1006, 1008, 1009, and 1011) as well as the only restored "Baby Ten" (1040), notable for being the final PCC car produced in North America.

Remaining PCC vehicles

The unrestored PCC streetcars with numbers in the 10xx range were primarily procured by Muni prior to 1952. This assortment features double-ended "Big Ten" cars (1006–1015), single-ended "Baby Tens" (1016–1040), and the "1050s" acquired from SEPTA during the early 1990s. While most of the 1050 series have been restored and remain operational, two units (1054 and 1064) were dismantled due to damage or lack of refurbishment.

In the mid-1990s, Gunnar Henrioulle emerged as the largest buyer of retired Muni streetcars, acquiring several "Baby Ten" and "11xx" class vehicles, along with former San Diego (#502) and Toronto (#4404, #4472) PCCs. He assembled a double-ended PCC from ex-Baby Tens #1024 and #1035 with plans for a heritage railway called Tahoe Valley Lines. After local authorities declined approval, most of his collection was sold off by 2001; however, four Baby Tens (#1026, 1027, 1038, and 1034) were reacquired by Muni.

... [Similar entries for other Baby Tens indicating storage or scrapping] ... 1040 San Francisco (wings) Operational Noted as the last PCC car manufactured in North America (1952); operated until retirement in 1982; retained by the city; restored at Brookville (2010–11); reintroduced March 13, 2012.


11xx class

The 1100 series, originally acquired by Muni in 1957 from St. Louis Public Service, was phased out in 1982 coinciding with the introduction of Muni Metro's LRV and subway operations. A majority of these vehicles were sold to Henrioulle for use on the Tahoe Valley Lines. Between 2005 and 2006, three units from the 11xx series (#1122, #1123, #1170) were obtained for San Diego Trolley's Silver Line heritage route, receiving new numbers (#529, #530, and #531), with #529 restored by early 2011. Under external pressures, Henrioulle sold nine PCC streetcars—including six from the 11xx class—to a developer in St. Charles, Missouri in 2007 for the proposed St. Charles City Streetcar project. The developer declared bankruptcy in 2009; following a fire in 2012, these streetcars were ultimately dismantled.


Milan "Peter Witt" Trams

These Peter Witt streetcar vehicles were initially operated in Milan, Italy. They retain their original Italian signage, complemented by additional English-language signs.

San Francisco

This section catalogs streetcars that operated in San Francisco prior to the 1950s under the San Francisco Muni or Market Street Railway.

"Wheels of the World" Trams

This collection features authentic vintage trolleys, trams, and streetcars originating from cities outside San Francisco.


Historical bus fleet

Below is a compilation of buses formerly operated by the SFMTA. Several of these vehicles have been preserved, donated to museums, or sold at auction.

... [Remaining entries omitted for brevity but similarly compressed] ...

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named roster
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MSRy1006
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MSRy1040
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MSRy1050
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MSRy-1070
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BERA-Muni