California transit agency hits highest ridership numbers since 2019 in positive recovery sign

According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), average weekday boardings reached 521,000 in SeptemberPhoto byAnthony SebboonUnsplash

For the first time since February 2020, San Francisco's bus and light-rail transit system has surpassed 500,000 average daily boardings, signaling a significant recovery for public transportation in the city after the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), average weekday boardings reached 521,000 in September, representing 74% of the ridership levels seen in September 2019. Weekend ridership has also shown strong recovery, hitting 92% of pre-pandemic levels.

Muni officials credited the boost to increased bus ridership, particularly on popular lines like the 49 Van Ness, which operates between Fort Mason and City College of San Francisco, and saw a 143% increase in September. The 22 Fillmore, serving the Marina and USF’s Mission Bay campus, followed with a 122% recovery. The 14 Rapid Mission, a key line stretching from the Ferry Building to Daly City, recovered 115% of its pre-pandemic ridership.