Seven years ago, San Francisco had the oldest, clunkiest buses and trains in the nation. She’s taken a methodical approach to the problems that dogged San Francisco’s transit system for years, from mechanical glitches to operator shortages to bottlenecks at certain intersections. “This is the last piece of a really comprehensive program to improve our vehicle fleet,” Kirschbaum said. The older trolleys, made by long-defunct Electric Transit Inc., accounted for only 20% of Muni’s bus fleet but 40% of its breakdowns. Besides having stronger batteries and being more impervious to disruptions, they simply won’t break down as often as their predecessors. The new buses are more reliable, said Director of Transit Julie Kirschbaum. It also ensures the buses keep running when work crews have to shut off the wires for construction projects - a frequent occurrence, with the SFMTA’s new “quick-build” policy to redesign streets throughout the city. That allows the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to provide continuous service if a fire flares up, forcing the bus to take a detour. Made by New Flyer, the new buses have powerful batteries that enable them to go off the overhead wires for several miles at a time. “To me, they’re better buses,” said Kam Wong, who was waiting for the 1-California at Sacramento and Montgomery streets Friday, holding a small Chihuahua on a leash. They resemble Fisher-Price toys: gray with thick red stripes and trolley poles dangling from the roof. They’re visible on routes such as the 22-Fillmore, the 24-Divisadero and the 31-Balboa. They roll along the 1-California route, from the Financial District up through Russian Hill and into the Richmond. Muni’s 185 new 40-foot electric trolleys are gliding all over the city. The aesthetic differences are subtle, but the new fleet provides other, more important benefits that commuters can’t see. Motors that thrum as quietly as a dishwasher on a light rinse cycle. Regular riders of Muni’s trolley bus lines are starting to notice the changes. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Show More Show Less The transit agency has completed its program to replace older trolley buses, first entering service in 2001, with a newer fleet of fully electric models that can operate for longer periods independent of the overhead wires. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 5 of5 A retired trolley bus (left) is parked next to the newest version at Muni's Presidio maintenance yard in San Francisco, Calif. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 4 of5 Retired trolley buses are labeled to be sold at auction at Muni's Presidio maintenance yard in San Francisco, Calif. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of5 Retired trolley buses, at left, are arranged next to the newest models at Muni's Presidio maintenance yard in San Francisco, Calif. Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of5 Retired trolley buses are labeled to be sold at auction at Muni's Presidio maintenance yard in San Francisco, Calif. 1 of5 A new model Muni trolley bus picks up passengers at California and Spruce streets in San Francisco, Calif.
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