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SFMTA investigating cable-car abrupt stop that injured riders; director outlines safety, parcel-tax and events updates
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Summary
Director Kirschbaum told the board that the agency is investigating an abrupt cable-car stop that injured 15 people (minor-to-moderate injuries) and that the agency notified the California Public Utilities Commission; she also previewed a street-safety initiative, parcel-tax outreach, Clipper 2 launch, free New Year's Eve service and recognized a union leader.
The SFMTA board heard from Director Kirschbaum about an on-street safety incident and other operational updates at Tuesday's meeting.
Kirschbaum told the board an inbound cable car on California Street between Hyde and Leavenworth made "an abrupt stop" just after 3 p.m. on the prior day; she said the San Francisco fire department reported 15 minor-to-moderate injuries to passengers and operators and that none were reported as life-threatening. The agency has opened a thorough investigation and notified the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates rail safety in the state.
Kirschbaum also updated the board on other items in her director's report: she said Mayor Lurie issued a directive to establish a citywide street-safety initiative that will build on Vision Zero work and that the agency is co-leading with the mayor's office, Public Health and SFPD; she described outreach around a proposed parcel tax to stabilize Muni finances; and she celebrated the regionwide launch of Clipper 2, which allows tap-to-pay and enables fare simplification and transfer programs.
She thanked transit staff for emergency response efforts after a Golden Gate Avenue fire displaced more than 60 people; SFMTA dispatched two buses to shelter evacuees and then transported them to temporary shelter and longer-term accommodation efforts. Kirschbaum also announced free Muni service for New Year's Eve (8 p.m. Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. Jan. 1) and recognized Anthony Ballester of Transport Workers Union Local 2 58 for his service.
Public commenters addressed elements of the director's report: some questioned parcel-tax revenue projections and called for clearer scenarios, others urged better enforcement at Hays Street and in loading zones and asked for clearer taxi-zone management for major events.
Board reaction and next steps Directors thanked staff for the emergency response and pressed staff for more clarity around Clipper 2 website issues and rollout timing; staff said the Clipper executive board is providing daily updates and fixes are in progress but no fixed timeline was available. The board requested follow-up on signage and stop locations for New Year's Eve service and asked staff to provide more detailed parcel-tax modeling and outreach documents as work progresses.
