Jamison Wieser photo.
There was an accident on the F-line during rush hour tonight. Here’s the Chronicle write-up. According to a witness who contacted us directly, PCC No. 1007 had unloaded passengers outbound at Market and Noe and was waiting to make the turn on to Noe, en route to the Castro terminal. A small SUV sat behind No. 1007 in the left hand turn lane. Behind the SUV, Milan No. 1893, which rammed into the SUV, pushing it into the No. 1007. The witness we talked with says the operator of No. 1893 was talking to a passenger at the time of the collision. Indications are six people were hurt, including the operator of 1893. None of the injuries is said to be serious.
Additional coverage at SF Examiner, Streetsblog, and KPIX 5.
The SUV had no business on the streetcar tracks.
Actually, that’s not true. That lane is open to automobile traffic and in that location serves as the left turn lane for all vehicles turning south onto Noe Street, not just streetcars.
Will Muni repair the Milan tram? Any chance of getting it repainted in yellow if they do? I like it best of the three Italian palettes.
KC, Kinda off topic, isn’t it, to be talking about paint schemes when people were hurt in an accident.
@ Toast, that’s not correct. The DMV code says only that automobiles must slow to 10 mph when passing transit vehicles stopped at a safety zone. The automobile was legally allowed to be where it was, in a left-hand turn lane. Muni does have a one-block rule for streetcar spacing, which is almost always ignored; but beyond that, the DMV code mandates a safe following distance for all vehicles in all situations. THAT needs to be enforced by Muni vigorously.
I first learned about this incident from my daughter, who sent me the SFGate link, along with a reference to Laurel & Hardy. She was referring to their 1930 movie “Hog Wild” in which Stanley’s Model T Ford gets crunched between two LA Railway Huntington Standards. Of course, in 1930, used Model T’s could be bought for 25 to 50 bucks. SUV’s are a lot more expensive, and people can get hurt when you don’t have a director or stunt coordinator supervising the action.
A geographic observation: Judging from the photo, the impact zone would appear to be at or near Market & Noe, rather than Noe & 17th (I think the Radio Shack is on Market).
The F line operators have to be made aware of what they are driving. HISTORY!! The Milan Tram is, at least, 80 years old and 1007 must be, at least, 60 years old. Even though they are speaking to a passenger, the operators must pay attention to what is going on in front, and around, the car they are operating. I agree with Rick’s comment above, the safe following distance rules MUST be vigorously enforced. Repairing these cars cost a lot of money and takes them out of service just when you need them the most, right in the middle of the summer tourist season.
Actually, if they refuse to enforce it, you (yes, you!) can enforce it. Observe a streetcar within a block of each other? Get the info, the time of day it happened, and report it to 311, or to Nat Ford at the next board meeting.
As an aside, how many Streetcars do Muni need for daily service? I assume they cannot afford to lose another 2 for repairs as Dennis says at the height of the tourist season.
The 1007 is not badly damaged and will be back soon. The Milan car will be out of service indefinitely because of its damage. The long-term key to having enough cars comes in the next two weeks, when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (our equivalent of a City Council) votes on a contract to completely overhaul 16 additional PCC cars. This has already been approved by Muni; information on this project has already been posted on our blog.
Rick:
What was the extent of the damage to 1007 if I may ask?
Thanks & regards,
Henry Giovannetti, Member MSR
I’m told it’s just a crumpled skirt under the anticlimber (bumper) on the end.
Can we get an idea of the damage to No. 1893 as well?
Still being assessed by Muni. The control system is up front.
I hate hearing about accidents in San Francisco especially involving our beloved historic transit. They don’t build them like they used to, that Milan tram and the PCC do not look that badly damaged but that SUV collapsed like cardboard.
What is the extent of the training program for train operators?