Testimonials

The following are testimonials in support of Save the 39 Bus to serve hilltop residents.

"The Coit 39 Bus is symbolic of the neighborhood's spirit: weaving through and linking its hills, parks, schools, neighborhood services, alleys, waterfronts, history and people."
Howard Wong, Telegraph Hill resident

“I live on a hill served, since 1949, by one bus which would be terminated by MUNI's Transportation Effectiveness Plan (TEP ) and effectively end public transportation to hundreds of residents. MUNI's idea to finance more popular busses by cutting off service to hilly neighborhoods is a fine example of Unclear on the Concept and underscores decades of misbegotten plans.

A promise of a quarter-mile-maximum walk from a bus stop is ludicrous to people living over two hundred feet above sea level. We need to convince MUNI that San Francisco's topography is different from Fresno's. Here, where original maps describe our hills as accessible only by dray animals, if MUNI denies bus service in this "Transit First" city, shouldn't they have to provide us with horses?"
Patricia Cady, Telegraph Hill resident

"I have been walking with a cane for four years. Although partially disabled, I'm still working part-time because I can get down the hill by taking the #39 and transferring to a downtown bus. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to continue working. Just as important are my doctor and therapy appointments. Without this bus service, I have no way of getting to them."
Irene Jimenez, 395 Union

"I am shocked that MUNI would even consider cutting service to those of us who have depended on it, in my case, since the 1950s. Now I'm in my senior years, with a bad knee. Without Union Street bus service I couldn't even get to Safeway or Trader Joe's; then, how would I get home? I have limited income and couldn't possibly stretch my budget to pay for taxis. #39 service is a vital resource."
Marge Sarvo, 1410 Montgomery

"For those of us without cars (and there are many in the neighborhood) the 39 is a lifeline, particularly for hauling groceries or other heavy things up from other buslines, or Safeway at the bottom of the hill.

There are many ways to make the major lines more efficient, without making patrons of the smaller lines suffer. The major case in point in this neighborhood is, of course, the loss of the 15 line, which effectively provided an alternative to Stockton street to reach Market, BART, and Muni underground. Eliminating that line (and altering the 9x to make it pick up passengers throughout North Beach, not just from Broadway down) has created havoc by funneling all the traffic onto three lines on Stockton street. The result, as you well know, is jam-packed buses and many, many patrons in Chinatown passed by."
June Fraps, Telegraph Hill resident

"The only ref to this on TEP's web site is the "proposal" to eliminate portion south of Filbert. I live near Un/Monty and ride frequently. If amount of ridership is reason for this proposal, why not do a better job of promoting it instead ?

Two ways to increase ridership:

1.) post an obvious bus stop on stop sign and/or shelter at Monty/Union There is a not so obvious one stenciled on street just west of the intersection. It has faded and no driver observes it anyway. The stop sign @ Un/Monty is typically where the bus stops to board/off-load passengers and would be an obvious place to REMIND people that the bus does stop there. Or, put the bus stop signage on Montgomery St either at median or south of Union out of the cold westerly wind and where the bus has to stop anyway to commence its return route.

(amended:
In discussing Monty/Union bus stop identity with a neighbor, he reminds there is one posted NW corner of the intersection. Odd that the 20+ years I have lived @ 100 Alta, I have never noticed it. Probably because cars are invariably parked there @ 90 degrees and cars do not typically appear parked as such in bus stops. Regardless, the bus driver does not honor/observe that particular location any way for boarding/off-loading. )

2.) Muni should promote the 39 route form "partnerships" with Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Restaurant Assoc (plenty in No Beach & near wharf), SF Convention/Visitors Bureau as low cost way for visitors and locals to see some of the most spectacular views of SF, climb Coit Tower, walk the world famous Filbert Steps, see the Conyers aka wild parrots of Tel Hill http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com/sf/a/003467.html , etc. Put this info in handouts avail to riders. Cheaper than any tours on wheels."

Bart Miller, San Francisco

"I am age 82 and suffer from heart disease. I have lived at 480 Vallejo for 25 years, and with the continued service of the 39 Bus on Union Street, hope to live here several years more. If the Union Street route is cut, I will soon be unable to get up the hill to my home - a fate I share with other elderly in the neighborhood.

It is Muni's mission, as a public institution, to provide service even though it may not be economically viable. This is especially true when the service has been estabilshed and relied upon for many years. If San Francisco can take tourists to Coit Tower and Fisherman's Wharf, it should be able to accomodate the elderly and handicapped.

If a "van" is substituted for the bus, please make sure there is easy access for the elderly and handicapped."
John Barnes, Telegraph Hill resident

"The Coit 39 bus is a vital part of life in North Beach and Telegraph Hill, one of the most densely populated areas of San Francisco. To discontinue the Union Street leg of the route seems like a bad decision.

That portion of the route serves the aged, the infirm and the tourists. Tourists come to the Montgomery/Union area for the views, the variety of architectural designs, including 1360 Montgomery, site of The Maltese Falcon. They seek the Filbert and Greenwich stairs to Coit Tower and, of course, the Parrots of Telegraph Hill, known worldwide. The tourists arrive from all countries, and it’s a joy to have them in the neighborhood all enthusiastic about what they are seeing and experiencing. Few would make it without the bus.

Our aged and infirm depend on Coit 39 for everyday necessities of living. With Speedy’s, the only grocery store at the top of the hill, closed, these residents are even more handicapped in their quest for food, shops and restaurants. Closing Coit 39 makes no sense and will result in untold hardships on those not served and added financial costs to the City for in-home care and services to shut-ins.

Please, think it through before you take final action. Once shut down, there will be no going back to correct a huge mistake.
Lea Schick, 1306 Montgomery

To whom it may concern:

Thank you for your consideration of this letter in support of the 39 Coit.

I write to you both as a 25-year resident of North Beach and as the current president of the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, to represent a recent decision by the local chapter to strongly favor the continuation of the 39 Coit Bus Line from the corner of Stockton and Union Streets east (uphill) to Union and Montgomery-- its current route.

It is my understanding from the City website and various news stories concerning this bus line that this one segment of the so-called "39 Coit," a bus which also runs to Fisherman's Wharf and Coit Tower, is recommended for termination by the MTA as a budget-saving device.

Handicapped, seniors, children, renters and the poor all use this line at one time or another each and every day. To terminate this one leg of the 39 Coit is to do a disservice to all these people who regularly use the line.

As a consequence of these populations being adversely affected by the proposed discontinuation of the Union Street leg of this line, we at the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society have voted to support those who would like to see this leg of the line continued.

We address these communities in particular-- the handicapped, seniors, children and renters-- because we are aware that City officials sometime promote the unfounded assumption that "everyone who lives on the hill [Telegraph Hill] is a well-heeled property owner." We have heard this comment, or ones like it, made time and again by City commissioners and policy makers with reference to this one corner of what they assume is an otherwise socially and economically heterogeneous neighborhood.

In fact, those who use the 39 Coit are no less ethnically, socially, economically representative of our neighborhood than District 3 as a whole-- one of the City's most diverse Districts. We at the St. Vincent de Paul Society have delivered food, clothing and other assistance to people who use the 39 Coit, and these are people who have no other means of transportation ... no car, no friend to pick them up, no financial resources to regularly take a cab.

To deprive these people the access to a two-block bus ride up a very steep hill after decades of service seems to us grossly unfair.

Furthermore, in addition to those who themselves live on or near the hill, others regularly use this line-- social workers, relatives and friends of residents, domestic workers, grocery shoppers returning with heavy bags, tourists and visitors to the City.

If MTA studies show "not enough usage," (however many 'enough' might be) the answer perhaps is to make more residents on the line aware of it, to re-emphasize and educate others about the access to Coit Tower by way of the Union Street leg of the line, and, finally, to run the bus MORE frequently rather than not at all.

A final anecdote concerning the line in question: half those who attended our most recent St. Vincent de Paul meeting concerning this line use it on a regular basis. All of these people are renters. None of them have cars, and, interestingly, none live directly in buildings facing the actual bus route. They live on adjacent streets which are themselves so steep that for many the 39 Coit is the only practical way to return home with groceries-- Green Street from Grant to Montgomery; Vallejo from Grant to Kearney; Filbert and Greenwich and the 12 alleys which spiderweb across these main thoroughfares.

I believe these folks are representative of many voices of the poor and middle class who live in our neighborhood, regularly use the 39 Coit, and have not yet been heard by MTA staff. To cut this line would be to diminish these residents' interaction with the community and curtail their daily activities-- to effectively isolate many residents who are elderly but no less deserving (indeed, MORE deserving) of City services.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions about our organization, our work with the poor and homeless, and our strong support for the continued service provided by the 39 Coit.

Yours sincerely,
Marc Bruno, 25 year resident of North Beach

The 39 bus always has been and continues to be an integral part of Telegraph Hill and North Beach. The handicapped, the infirm, and people who have difficulty walking will be trapped in their homes, unable to get to the grocery, hardware store and such essentials of life, if the 39 line is discontinued or sharply changed.

Decisions based only on ridership numbers and not on need are wrongheaded, unfair and insensitive. Please do not remove or curtail The Hill's only source of public transportation for many generations.
June A. Osterberg, longtime resident of Telegraph Hill/North Beach

I am asking that you please keep the #39 Coit bus in service on both sides of Telegraph Hill. The importance of citizens of San Francisco to be able to take a much deserved bus home with all our groceries, laundry, cleaning and supplies is vital.

There are many older people here without a car and we need your help and understanding.
Keep it running!
Mary K. Bent, 29 Alta St.

Please save the Union Street route of the 39 Bus!

My husband and I have lived on Telegraph Hill on the top of the southern hill at Union and Montgomery and on Alta Street for about 30 some years. We are at the point of finally needing to take the bus up the hill. Unfortunately, our market, Speedy's New Union, has recently closed and we food shop now in North Beach at the bottom of the hill. It would be a long carry up with groceries should the 39 stop its run up Union. We are not the only ones in this situation. There are over 1000 mail delivery boxes on this south top side of the hill! Muni should understand how much we need its services on this route. Please consider the residents on Telegraph Hill and don't take our bus service away.
Rozell Overmire

Please do not eliminate the 39 Bus. It is needed.
Fran Corbitt

As a longtime property owner and resident of Telegraph Hill it is essential that the current route of the 39 Coit Bus remain in service including the Columbus/Union St. to Montgomery St. leg.

Please be sensitive to the fact that many people are unable to walk up or down Union Street between Columbus Ave. and Montgomery St. and rely on public transportation

Thank you in advance for carefully reviewing and subequently understanding the very negative impact such a change in service would have on those who live on the Hill.
Patricia M. Shean

After several surgeries, I'm glad to say I'm walking around again and have become totally dependent on the #39 bus to get to my bank on Columbus Avenue, to Safeway, to appointments--for everything, actually, including socializing with friends which is very important to me.

We've had that bus since I moved here almost 40 years ago and I never imagined we could lose it, because they can't leave us stranded up here!
Sally Gould

It's critical that we save that bus line:

I live at the top of Kearny and that is the only bus line down.
Nancy Hult Ganis

Please keep the #39 bus running. I am 65 years old and disabled and need the bus as transportation. Please think of the older population who need the help of public transportation. The hills are too steep for those of us who live around Coit Tower.

With thanks for your consideration,
Nancy Hult Ganis

Please save the 39 Bus line stops on Union Street.
Katherine Petrin

I walk with two canes, and cannot manage to walk up or down a steep incline. It is unimaginable to me that Muni would cut off transportation on Telegraph Hill, with no other way for the disabled to leave their homes, short of taxi service. Contrary to public perception, there are many people living on the hill who do not drive and cannot afford taxis, who will be unable to manage their lives if the Coit line is terminated.

Like residents who are dependent upon the Coit bus, I no longer have the stamina to attend meetings at City Hall. I fear the disabled and elderly will be unable to appear at the meeting to speak to this crucial matter.
Katherine Petrin

I live on Kearney and Union. There are lots of senior citizens in our neighborhood who use the bus. It is their life blood as it would be impossible for them to walk up the hill from shopping. The people who ride this line pay their fare.

Be sure others do and you will not need to cut the service. It might be wise to have someone in the back of crowded buses to collect fares from people who enter and exit from the rear in order to avoid paying.
Suzanne Silk

Dear Sirs:

I live at the top of Montgomery Street - near Union - an am handicapped and need the bus for my transportation in order to live a decent life.

Please save the treasured Bus # 39.

Thank you.
Sally Tooley

Save it.
Jack Sarfatti

Please save this vital route (the 39 Bus) which serves many seniors and people who can't maneuver the hill. Thank you.
Frieda W.

To the MTA Board:

The 39 bus on Union from Columbus to Montgomery is the only way that residents of upper telegraph hill can get to their residences without walking up one of San Francisco's steepest hills, or using an expensive taxi. There are a number of elderly, disabled, and infirm residents along this part of Union, Montgomery, and other adjacent streets on this part of Telegraph Hill. Removing ertransportation from these citizens forces them to choose between being house bound or paying for taxi transportation, leaving less money for housing, food, and health care.

Please choose to support these citizens of San Francisco and provide a means of public transportation to Union and Montgomery.

Thank you for your consideration,
Burton Kendall

The folks at the top of the hill need it!

I just celebrated my 80th birthday, and the hill has been getting steeper ever since I move here 30 years ago.
Peter Overmire

The folks at the top of the hill need it!

I just celebrated my 80th birthday, and the hill has been getting steeper ever since I move here 30 years ago.
Peter Overmire

Please add my name to a petition to save the 39 bus. I have many elderly friends who live on Telegraph Hill and rely on the 39 for transportation when they shop for necessities. They will be virtually isolated without the bus as it will also impede visits from their family and friends as there is almost no parking available on Telegraph Hill.
Blanche Germain Streeter

Dear Directors:

I was alarmed to learn that the Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP), is recommending that part of Bus Route 39 be eliminated, to conserve resources. While noble in purpose, the impact of this recommendation, may have the reverse effect. Seniors and retired people may be forced to purchase automobiles, causing even more pollution and congestion in our neighborhood and city.

Worse, and the primary reason for my letter, is my concern for the livability and diversity of our community. This recommendation, if followed, may result in the exodus of seniors, retired people, the handicapped, and low income citizens from our community. Permanently changing the diversity of our community. No longer will we have the pleasure of listening to elderly neighbors order biscotti in Italian. A community is a community when it includes all generations.

My name is Ramsay Mameesh, I own Green Retirement Planning, which has it's virtual office in North Beach. I currently live in North Beach, but I have also had the pleasure to live on Telegraph Hill, the neighborhood most effected by the recommendation. Green Retirement Planning enables almost anyone, to retire with hundreds of thousands less dollars and years earlier, than is possible with traditional retirement planning. Going Green can save a person a tremondess amount of money before retirement, and allow them to retire with less savings. Living a car free life, is a huge savings for a retired person, and allows them to live a more comfortable retirement.

Earlier this year, I conducted a study on the feasibility of retirement in North Beach, and Telegraph Hill. I discovered that Seniors could retire in North Beach Telegraph Hill with less than $400,000.

March 1st. 2008

"The experiment to discover how much savings is required to retire in one of the Top Ten Neighborhoods in the nation, in the second most expensive city in the U.S., is over and the results are illuminating. Retiring in North Beach / Telegraph Hill San Francisco, depending on your situation which I will discuss later, can be accomplished with less than $400,000 in savings."

And that someone aged 44, such as myself, could retire in North Beach Telegraph Hill, with less than $800,000.

However, in the same study on retirement in North Beach Telegraph, I mention that this is made possible in part by the availability of public transportation. That the costly expense of a car is not required to live in our neigborhood. And more importantly, the study also mentions the difficulty seniors may have, living on Telegraph Hill. "There are no shops or businesses on Telegraph Hill, it's purely residential, but everything you need is either a short walk or bus ride away. Admittedly, Telegraph Hill, is a steep hill. If you are physically un-fit, walking up the hill, could present a challenge. But Muni #39 will let you off at the top of the hill, and if you do want to get into shape, Telegraph Hill provides a free Stair-Master for your enjoyment."

The North Beach Telegraph Hill retirement study concludes by recommending people choose North Beach and Telegraph Hill for retirement.

"For people choosing a city retirement, Telegraph Hill is an ideal location, combining both the amenities of a big city and a feeling of peaceful natural seclusion. San Francisco, is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, let alone one the most beautiful cities in the United States. Everyday people from all over the globe can be seen walking through the Telegraph Hill neighborhood, to see the parrots and the lovely gardens, and to enjoy the breathtaking views of San Francisco. You could retire here with less than a million dollar in savings. What are you waiting for… " If the SFMTA Board of Directors, approves the elimination of bus route 39's current access to Telegraph Hill and North Beach, I will no longer be able to recommend Telegraph Hill and a large part of North Beach for retirement. I recommend that the Board of Directors, in the interest of diversity and livability, and so as not to adversly affect the lives of Seniors, retired people, the handicapped, and people living on fixed incomes, reject the (TEP) recommendation for bus route 39, and maintain the current service and route.
Ramsay Mameesh

I don't think it is a good idea to have the #39 Coit bus use Filbert Street as part of its new proposed route, because it would go right in front of Sts. Peter and Paul Church where there are school children playing and crossing the street and where weddings and funerals are being held. Also, cutting off the route up Union Street to Montgomery leaves a lot of older residents with no way to get up that steep hill to their homes. If you want to save money and resources, then have the 39 stop at the base of Telegraph Hill instead of going all the way up to Coit Tower; the tourists can walk up to the tower, and the bus won't have to fight the traffic up there.
Robert Kane

As a long time resident of North Beach, I rely on Muni to get around, as there is no parking in the Beach.

"We" have already lost the 15 Third Street bus, please don't take away the 39 Coit, too!

Please let me know if I can do anything else to help save the 39.

Thanks and Ciao,
Shash Blaume

Please do not change the present route of the 39 bus.

Thanks and Ciao,
Ruth Burton

We live at 432-A Vallejo, on the steps between Montgomery and Kearny. We do not have a car although we use City Car Share when we need one. We often shop on foot and will use the 39 to get us up to at least Union and Kearny; from there it is flat to Vallejo and one steep half block.

Often we walk but we are aging. We know it is hard for the 39 to come up Union but there are no alternatives to it.

Please reconsider removing the stops from Columbus up to Montgomery on Union for the 39.

Thank you.
Tom and Mary Noyes

I have friends who live high on Telegraph Hill who cannot walk up and down the hill. They need the bus, their only way to get home.

I live on flat land in 94133, but I rely on the 39 for visits to the hill, so I know what a necessary thing the bus is. I have no car.

Please don't let us down.
Dee Whalen

When younger I was too impatient to take the bus up the hill. Forty years later I much appreciate that MUNI can spare my weak knees. At times it makes the difference between going down to North Beach and elsewhere with a transfer, or staying housebound. It isn't a question of convenience, but necessity.

PLEASE, KEEP 39. Without the bus, I cannot stay here much longer.
Marcy Liston

I would like to voice my opposition to the proposed elimination of the number 39 bus route.

My family and I live on Montgomery Street at Union Street. We use the bus route on a very frequent basis, and we believe that the quality of life for us, for our neighbors and also for the many tourists that visit our city, will be adversely affected if the bus route is discontinued. It is extremely difficult in particular for my elderly Mother and Mother-in-Law to walk up Union Street. They absolutely rely on the number 39 bus in order to get both to and from our house. Please do not eliminate this route, it provides an invaluable service to those of us who live on the hill and also to family and friends who wish to visit us. Sincerely
Carol M. Graham

To whom it may concern,

When I purchased a home on Telegraph Hill in June, 2005, one of my primary considerations was access to public transportation. I have multiple sclerosis and with a prognosis of increased disability over time, availability of public transportation is not a luxury, but a necessity.

About a year ago, when the light rail service on 3rd street was implemented, the #15 bus that went from my neighborhood to my office in Mission Bay was discontinued. That route change created a serious hardship for me. Now I understand you are considering discontinuing a major portion of the route for the #39 bus. As you deliberate this proposal, I hope you will give serious consideration to the residents with disabilities that depend on public transportation.

At some point, if you continue to reduce public transportation in my neighborhood, I will be forced to sell my house and move. This will not only be a major expense, but a personal loss, as I am forced out of the neighborhood I have supported and loved.
Gail Maderis

Please do not change the present route of the 39 bus.
Ruth Burton

I am a retired senior, and have lived on Telegraph Hill for more than 49 years. Needless to say, I have used the 39 bus many times. Recently, I gave up driving and sold my car (one more auto off the streets in SF!), so I am now dependent on public transportation.

What exactly is the reason for eliminating the Union Street portion of the 39 bus route?

It is only a 3 block run, but it is a vital link for many older persons to remain active and in contact. Eliminating that portion will undoubtedly force many to become shut-ins.

Cost-saving surely is not the reason. Using Muni's estimate of 700,000 riders daily, let's do some math. Say 5% of that figure are non-paying freeloaders who board through the back doors. That's 35,000 per day, times $1.50. Some do have passes or transfers, so cut that in half, to 17,500 free rides per day. Do the math...that's over $25,000 per day in lost revenue. It undoubtedly runs more than that. (BTW, I've never seen anyone board the 39 bus through the rear door to avoid paying.)

Your standard answer has been: We're working on that problem. C'mon, you've known about this problem for years, and it is only increasing, not decreasing. How great is the monetary loss over the past few years? It's really irritating to pay my (senior) fare and then watch countless people board through the back doors without paying.

The money Muni loses in just a few days or weeks would more than cover the negligent cost of continuing the 39 route up and down Union Street for a year or more. If cost is your reason for discontinuing that portion, you are being penny wise and pound foolish. To say nothing of the fact that you are turning a cold shoulder to the needs of San Franciscans who rely on Muni while catering to the tourists who visit Coit Tower and use this bus.
William Cox

To the MTA board,

I live on Montgomery Street near Union Street and use the 39 bus almost daily. I would be severely handicapped if the bus does not come to the top of Union Street. I cannot walk the hill from Columbus St. to Union Street and would have to take a taxi which would cost me a lot of money over a short time.

PLEASE DO NOT STOP THE SERVICE FROM COLUMBUS STREET TO MONTGOMERY STREET ON UNION.

Thank you very much,
Tim Thompson

Dear Sir/Madam,

I regularly use the 39 bus from the corner of Union and Montgomery, I live on Alta Street and this is the nearest bus service. I have made a green commitment to use "Public Transport" whilst in San Francisco. Without this bus service I will be forced to use a car. It is simply impossible to shop at Trader Joe's on Bay Street (the nearest Supermarket) and bring your shopping home without this bus service.
Peter Coyle

I live near Montgomery/Union and take the #39 bus whenever it comes within 5 minutes of its scheduled time. Alas, it so often gets tied up on the approach to Coit Tower that its reliability is a problem.

The Telegraph Hill Dwellers Parking & Traffic group has a plan to address that. The bus is great when it is on schedule and makes it possible for me to leave my car at home. Without the bus, climbing Telegraph Hill from Stockton to Montgomery is a cardiac and calf-heavy workout. Really tough. But there is a bench at the current Stockton stop so waiting is not so bad unless I'm in a hurry.

I worry about what I'll do when I can no longer drive. It costs $4 to take a taxi up to Union/Montgomery from Stockton.
Sue Cauthen

To Members of the MTA Board:

TEP is recommending plans to delete the 39 Coit bus service to Union and Montgomery. I live at Kearny & Vallejo. I have used the 39 Coit when shopping at Safeway on Bay Street. I could not have gotten my groceries home without the help of the 39 Coit. I urge you to keep this leg of the 39 Coit that provides service up Union to Montgomery available to the residents. Thank you.
Gerry Hurtado

I live at 289A Union Street which is at the top of the Union Street Hill. The Coit 39 bus was a lifeline for me when I was hit by a car and fractured my back two years ago. During the period of my recuperation when I couldn't drive or walk up and down the hill, I took the bus to buy groceries, go to the pharmacy and do other errands. This bus service is critical for people with disabilities and for our senior residents who use the bus every day. I still take the bus whenever I can.
Merle Goldstone

I support maintaining the 39 bus route as it currently runs. The Union Street hill can be daunting for the elderly or handicapped. There is no other public transportation that provides access. Please keep the 39 bus route!

Sincerely,
Marion D. Meyerson

With thanks for your consideration,
Pamela Taylor

As a former resident of Telegraph Hill I was a Filbert Street resident for 29 years, I made regular use of the No. 39 bus. The last block of Union Street between Kearny and Montgomery is particularly steep and, as we all get older, the climb in more and more difficult. Yes, it is an expensive operation but for seniors its retention is imperative.
David F. Myrick

Hi,

My elderly mom is about 75 years old. She rather wait 30-40 minutes for the bus than to walk 2 blocks from Stockton and Union to Kearney Street where her apartment is.

Therefore, i don't think it's a good idea at all to eliminate this leg of the 39 bus trip route.
David Chan

The proposed abolishment of the 39 Coit up Union to Montgomery will be an enormous disservice to the residents who are fortunate to live on Telegraph Hill. As a 4th generation living in Telegraph Hill, this bus is my lifeline. Especially now, my 88 year old grandmother is dependent on the bus as am I with my newborn after an hour of grocery shopping or just being exhausted from walking around the neighborhood. The MTA must realize that the 39 Coit is not just a bus, but is an active part in people's live. People depend on the 39. The only way up Telegraph Hill are: 1) Filbert Street steps, 2) Greenwhich Street steps and 3)Montgomery Street steps and 4) the Union Street Hill. I encourage the MTA board members to try EACH of these routes or even better, have an elder family member try these routes with you. The decision you all will make will determine how many residents will live each day. Some will have no choice but to be housebound, others will have to pay for taxi rides up. San Francisco is a city of choice, a city of convenience and most of all, a city that provides. As an active member in the community and per the last MTA community meeting, the MTA has not done its job of conducting a thorough investigation of the riderships. I know many people who ride the bus EVERY SINGLE DAY who sometimes have to stand due to packed ridership. Thus, the MTA claims it has done it's job to tally ridership but has yet to tackle the core of the matter: to actually talk to the riders. I urge the MTA not to base its decision on numbers but to actually speak to the riders who depend on the bus.

Once again, your decision will change the way many people live their lives. Abolishing this crucial route will go against what San Francisco and Telegraph Hill represent: freedom.

Thank you,
Stefanie Wong- Engle

Dear sirs:

The 39 bus on union street is a very important bus line that should be saved. It is heavilly used by those living on Union street between Stockton and Montgomery, especially when coming from Chinatown carrying heavily laden bags of foodstuffs. For our sake, if nothing else, do not eliminate this line. We need it.

Sincerely yours,
James. S. Llew

I am a 73 year old grandmother who lives in San Francisco to be near my 3 grandsons and to help my son and daughter-in-law with childcare. They live atop Telegraph Hill on Montgomery, off Union. I live in the Marina because it is level and I have arthritic knees and ankles. I need the #39 bus to get to my grandchildren. I have tried to hail a taxi to take me up the hill from Washington Square but there are almost none around - none cruising, none empty and none willing to just go up the hill. I am only one person. How can MUNI ever consider discontinuing the #39 and disabling so many others who ned buses to get them up hills?

A Disgruntled and Disabled Grandmother of 3,
Evelyn Yudowitz