One of San Francisco’s most iconic symbols will not be returning to the city anytime soon.
“We really don’t have a timetable for cable cars coming back,” said Erica Kato, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. While cable cars are open air, they also put drivers in close contact with passengers and the agency says there is no feasible way to separate drivers and passengers safely.
“Since it was the first to go because it was such a risk, it will likely be the last to come back,” said Kato.
The system is running bus shuttles in place of cable cars with plexiglass dividers protecting drivers, although the buses are much less attractive to tourists.
The SFMTA, along with other transit agencies, is still facing a major drop in ridership and, therefore, revenue as most of the city continues to shelter in place. So the agency’s priority is on bringing back the most used lines.
“And of course, equity as well,” she said. “So you will notice that we’re bringing back a lot of service on the eastern side of the city where a lot of people are essential workers and they don’t necessarily have other options to get to work.”
Starting in August, some Muni subway service will start back up again, although on a modified schedule.