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Board tables commuter shuttle appeals after appellants withdraw; public comment highlights displacement and safety concerns
Summary
After appellants withdrew an appeal, the Board of Supervisors held public comment and voted to table appeals related to the commuter shuttle permit program while the Municipal Transportation Agency and stakeholders continue study and negotiations.
The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 23 held a public hearing on the Municipal Transportation Agency’s proposed commuter shuttle permit program (items 26–29) after appellants withdrew their appeal. Following public comment and negotiation among stakeholders, the board voted to table appeals and continue work between the MTA, community groups and shuttle operators.
Supervisor David Campos opened the hearing and noted the appellants had withdrawn. Several speakers urged the board to reject the program entirely, saying private commuter shuttles have contributed to displacement and used public bus stops in ways that harm Muni riders. Housing and tenant advocates argued that corporate shuttles subsidize long-distance commuting while contributing to the city’s affordability crisis.
A range of community voices, union organizers and disability and senior advocates addressed safety, service gaps and neighborhood impacts. Speakers asked that shuttle operations be consolidated into hubs, increase enforcement on oversized vehicles on neighborhood streets, and fund housing and anti-displacement measures from any shuttle program revenues. Operators’ representatives and some business groups argued shuttles remove cars from the roads and provide needed commute options.
Supervisor Campos and colleagues reported months of negotiation between the MTA, developers/operators, SEIU, Sierra Club and community groups. After discussion, the board voted to table the appeals and direct further study and budget analysis; the tabling motion passed unanimously (10 ayes; Marr absent for vote). Campos said a budget and legislative analyst study of housing impacts would be requested.
Speakers from SEIU, senior and disability groups, and neighborhood tenants acknowledged MTA staff cooperation but said outstanding issues — use of bus stops, enforcement, hub locations and displacement impacts — remain. The MTA said it has already modified the pilot and will continue to work with community stakeholders to address concerns.
