E Embarcadero
{{short description|San Francisco heritage streetcar line}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = E Embarcadero
| color = {{rcr|MUNI|E}}
| image = Muni 1010 at Brannan station, August 2017.jpg
| logo = E Embarcadero logo.svg
| logo_width = 50px
| image_width = 300px
| caption = Streetcar 1010 at Brannan station in 2017.
| type = Heritage streetcar
| system = San Francisco Municipal Railway
| locale = San Francisco, California
| start = {{munis|Jones and Beach}}
| end = {{munis|4th and King}}
| stations = 18
| daily_ridership =
| open = {{Unbulleted list
| January 10, 1998 (shuttle service)
| August 31, 2008 (trial service)
| August 1, 2015 (weekend service)
| April 23, 2016 (full service)
}}
| owner = San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)
| operator = San Francisco Municipal Railway
| character = Mostly in dedicated median; some shared lanes
| stock = Double-ended historic Muni streetcars
| linelength = {{Convert|3.3|mi|km}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification = {{600 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
| map = {{E Embarcadero}}
}}
The E Embarcadero is a historic streetcar line that is the San Francisco Municipal Railway's second heritage streetcar line in San Francisco, California. Trial service first ran during the Sunday Streets events on The Embarcadero in 2008.{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2008 |title=E-Embarcadero Line Service for Sunday Streets |url=http://www.streetcar.org/e-embarcadero_line_service_for_sunday_streets/ |access-date=November 7, 2014 |website=streetcar.org |publisher=Market Street Railway}} The line initially ran on weekends only,{{Cite journal |last=Bowen, Douglas John |date=March 31, 2014 |title=MUNI eyes new E train route |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/muni-eyes-new-e-train-route.html |journal=Railway Age |publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc. |access-date=July 29, 2014}}{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2014 |title=E-Line Finally Budgeted...For 2016! |url=http://www.streetcar.org/e-line_finally_budgetedfor_2016/ |access-date=November 7, 2014 |website=streetcar.org |publisher=Market Street Railway}} but expanded to weeklong service in late April 2016.{{Cite web |last=Hyden |first=Rachel |date=April 13, 2016 |title=Better, more frequent service coming April 23! |url=https://www.sfmta.com/news/project-updates/better-more-frequent-service-coming-april-23 |access-date=April 22, 2016 |publisher=San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)}}
In March 2020, the line was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as of 2024, the line is still not operating.
Route
The initial routing of the line is nearly identical to the defunct 32 Embarcadero bus line, which was discontinued after the F Market & Wharves line began operating along the Embarcadero in 2000.{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Edward |date=1999-09-08 |title=Muni Gets OK to Extend Streetcar Line to Wharf / Expanded service expected to be popular |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Muni-Gets-OK-to-Extend-Streetcar-Line-to-Wharf-3273915.php |access-date=2018-06-15}}
It runs the length of the Embarcadero and San Francisco's segment of the Bay Trail, along pre-existing track used by the F Market & Wharves historic streetcar as well as the N Judah and T Third Street Muni Metro lines and previously unused track bypassing Market Street subway's Embarcadero portal. Service runs from Jones Street and Jefferson Street in Fisherman's Wharf to near the N Judah's platform at Caltrain's King Street and 4th Street Station in the Mission Bay neighborhood – the last trains of the day run to near the adjacent T Third platform at 4th and Berry. Since there is no loop at the Caltrain station, only double-ended streetcars are able to operate on the line until a loop track is built.{{Cite web |last=Market Street Railway |date=2015-06-16 |title=E-Line Startup Looks Set for July 25 |url=https://www.streetcar.org/e-line-startup-looks-set-july-25/ |access-date=2018-06-15}}
=Proposed extension=
File:West portal of Fort Mason Tunnel, June 2017.JPG
An extension of the E Embarcadero to Aquatic Park is planned but is currently not fully funded.{{Cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Joe Fitzgerald |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Transit renaissance en route for northern waterfront |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/transit-renaissance-en-route-northern-waterfront/ |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025070908/http://www.sfexaminer.com/transit-renaissance-en-route-northern-waterfront/ |url-status=dead }} The extension would relocate the terminus from Jones and Beach station to a new station on Beach street adjacent to Aquatic Park.
The line could be extended past Aquatic Park in the future by the National Park Service's proposal to extend the route through the existing Fort Mason Tunnel and into Fort Mason Center. As of 2018, the SFMTA was attempting to secure funding for engineering studies in order to advance the project.{{Cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Joe Fitzgerald |date=May 28, 2017 |title=Federal funding could drive forward tunnel's future |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/federal-funding-drive-forward-tunnels-future/ |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025031309/http://www.sfexaminer.com/federal-funding-drive-forward-tunnels-future/ |url-status=dead }} The extension would serve Fort Mason Center and the Marina district, identified by the NPS as areas with "inadequate regional transit access" and "limited transportation options for transit-dependent residents,"{{Cite web |date=February 2012 |title=Final Environmental Impact Statement for Extension of F-Line Streetcar Service to Fort Mason Center |url=https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/upload/PEPC_Exec_Summary.pdf |access-date=March 4, 2018 |publisher=Golden Gate National Recreation Area San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park}} and providing those areas with a rail connection to regional transportation networks via the Market Street subway and the 4th and King Caltrain station.
{{clear left}}
History
Muni's original E streetcar line was the E Union line, running north from the Ferry Building via The Embarcadero to Washington/Jackson streets, where it turned west to eventually reach the Presidio. This line was discontinued in 1947.{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=San Francisco Transit Routes |url=http://www.chicagorailfan.com/sfodate.html |access-date=March 4, 2013 |publisher=Chicago Transit & Railfan Website |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307082700/http://www.chicagorailfan.com/sfodate.html |url-status=dead }}
= Streetcar demonstration =
Proposals for historic streetcar service along The Embarcadero were first put forward in 1974, and the first mention of separate E Embarcadero and F Market lines was in 1981.{{Cite web |title=Historic Streetcars |url=http://www.sfmta.com/about-sfmta/our-history-and-fleet/sfmta-fleet/historic-streetcars |access-date=December 1, 2013 |publisher=San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)}} In 1987, a temporary, demonstration streetcar service was operated along part of the Embarcadero as part of the 1987 San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival, to gauge public interest in, and the practicality of, a regular streetcar service. It ran along then-existing, but disused, San Francisco Belt Railroad tracks and operated two days a week for a little over five weeks, using two streetcars powered by electricity from portable diesel generators.{{Cite magazine |last=Jewell |first=Don |date=December 1987 |title=Muni [regular news column] |url=http://original.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/549/39100/december-1987-page-38 |url-status=dead |magazine=Pacific RailNews |pages=38–39 |issn=8750-8486 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608180537/http://original.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/549/39101/december-1987-page-39 |archive-date=June 8, 2019}}
= Previous E Embarcadero service =
Light rail service on the section of The Embarcadero south of Folsom Street and on King Street to the Caltrain depot began on January 10, 1998,{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Edward |date=January 9, 1998 |title=Embarcadero Line On Track Tomorrow |page=A-17 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1998/01/09/MN48433.DTL |access-date=March 20, 2009}} using a Muni Metro shuttle line between Embarcadero Station and the Caltrain station. This temporary line was designated E Embarcadero, and it was discontinued when it was replaced in August 1998 by an extension of the N Judah line.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Michael |date=April 6, 1998 |title=PAGE ONE – Muni's New E-Line No Beeline / Trains more tardy, irregular than buses – SFGate |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PAGE-ONE-Muni-s-New-E-Line-No-Beeline-Trains-3009399.php |access-date=March 27, 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Edward |date=August 26, 1998 |title=Brown Tries To Soothe Muni Riders / Service on N-Judah line has been abysmal all week – SFGate |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Brown-Tries-To-Soothe-Muni-Riders-Service-on-2994640.php |access-date=March 27, 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Edward |date=January 9, 1998 |title=Muni's Embarcadero Streetcar Line Set to Make First Runs / First of improvements promised for this year |work=San Francisco Chronicle |publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc. |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Muni-s-Embarcadero-Streetcar-Line-Set-to-Make-3016481.php |access-date=December 1, 2013}} In 2007 the new T Third Street line also began operating on this extension.
= Historic streetcar service =
Historic streetcar service on The Embarcadero north of Don Chee Way began in March 2000 when the F Market & Wharves line was extended to Fisherman's Wharf.{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Edward |date=March 2, 2000 |title=New way to the wharf; Merchants hope F–Market line will draw locals to tourist attractions |page=A20 |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/New-Way-to-the-Wharf-Merchants-hope-F-Market-3304845.php |url-status=live |access-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044800/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/New-Way-to-the-Wharf-Merchants-hope-F-Market-3304845.php |archive-date=February 25, 2019}} That extension and the 1998 light rail extension to the Caltrain Depot make up almost the entirety of the E line route; they were connected by unused tracks on The Embarcadero between Don Chee Way and Folsom Street.
= Later changes =
The new E Embarcadero line operated on a temporary basis during the 2013 America's Cup yacht races.
On March 28, 2014, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) officially approved plans for weekend-only service of the E Embarcadero heritage streetcar line starting in summer 2015, with weeklong service starting the next year. Weekend operation officially began on August 1, 2015,{{Cite news |last=Cestone |first=Vince |date=July 31, 2015 |title=New Muni E-Embarcadero Line to begin service this weekend |work=KRON-TV |publisher=Young Broadcasting |url=http://kron4.com/2015/07/31/new-muni-e-embarcadero-line-to-begin-service-this-weekend/ |access-date=August 4, 2015 |archive-date=August 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804004850/http://kron4.com/2015/07/31/new-muni-e-embarcadero-line-to-begin-service-this-weekend/ |url-status=dead }} and weeklong service began on April 23, 2016.
Service was suspended on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,{{Cite web |title=COVID-19-related Service Changes |work=San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency |date=May 20, 2021 |url=https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/covid-19-related-service-changes |access-date=January 19, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Brinklow |first=Adam |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Bay Area public transit agencies cut hours and routes amid coronavirus outbreak |work=Curbed |url=https://sf.curbed.com/2020/3/23/21190566/coronavirus-bart-cutbacks-ridership-collapse-muni-ferry |access-date=March 23, 2020}} and {{As of|lc=yes|2024|06}} still has yet to resume.{{Cite web |title=E Embarcadero (Suspended) |work=San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency |date=July 30, 2015 |url=https://www.sfmta.com/routes/e-embarcadero-suspended |access-date=June 6, 2024}}
Station/Stop listing
Though the right-of-way is shared with the two Muni Metro lines on the South of Market (SoMa) segment, the stations themselves are not shared with Muni Metro because historic cars cannot access elevated median boarding platforms. For this reason, existing sidewalk-level stops adjacent to each raised light-rail stop are utilized for the E line. For stops north of Market, the line uses those of the existing F Market & Wharves line. All stations on the line are accessible.
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2" | Station/Stop
! rowspan="2" | Neighborhood ! rowspan="2" | Connections and Notes |
|---|
| Inbound
!Outbound |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|Jones and Beach}}
| rowspan="4" | Fisherman's Wharf | {{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves, {{Rint|sanfrancisco|cable}} Powell-Hyde }} |
| {{munis|Jefferson and Taylor}}
| rowspan="2" | {{munis|Beach and Mason}} | rowspan="2" | {{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves, {{Rint|sanfrancisco|cable}} Powell-Mason | {{ferry icon}} Blue and Gold Fleet, San Francisco Bay Ferry (at Pier 41) | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|39}}, {{Muni route|47}} | {{Bus icon}} Golden Gate Transit: 132, 154, 172 }} |
| {{munis|Jefferson and Powell}} |
| {{munis|The Embarcadero and Stockton}}
| {{munis|Beach and Stockton}} | {{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|39}} | Serves Pier 39 }} |
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" |Inbound splits from The Embarcadero towards Jefferson Street; outbound joins The Embarcadero from Beach Street |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Bay}}
| |{{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves | {{ferry icon}} Alcatraz Cruises (at Pier 33) | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|8}}, {{Muni route|8BX}} | {{Bus icon}} Golden Gate Transit: 132, 154, 172 | Serves Pier 35 }} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Sansome}}
| | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Greenwich}}
| |{{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|82X}} }} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Green}}
| |{{Unbulleted list | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves | Serves Exploratorium }} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Broadway}}
| | rowspan="2" | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Washington}}
| |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|Ferry Building}}
| {{Unbulleted list | {{Rint|BART}} Bay Area Rapid Transit | {{Rint|sanfrancisco|metro}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|j}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|k}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|l}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|m}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|n}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|s}} at Embarcadero station | {{rint|heritage|pcc}} {{Rint|sanfrancisco|F}} Market & Wharves | {{ferry icon}} Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco Bay Ferry, Treasure Island Ferry (at Ferry Building) | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|6}}, {{Muni route|7X}}, {{Muni route|9}}, {{Muni route|14}}, {{Muni route|14X}}, {{Muni route|21}}, {{Muni route|31}} | |{{rint|bus}} Regional bus services: Golden Gate Transit, Presidio Go Shuttle, SamTrans }} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Folsom}}
| rowspan="4" | SoMa | rowspan="2" | {{Unbulleted list | {{Rint|sanfrancisco|metro}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|n}} }} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|The Embarcadero and Brannan}} |
| colspan="2" | {{munis|2nd and King}}
| {{Unbulleted list | {{Rint|sanfrancisco|metro}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|n}} | Serves Oracle Park }} |
| colspan="2" |{{munis|4th and King}}
| {{Unbulleted list | {{Rint|Caltrain}} Caltrain | {{Rint|sanfrancisco|metro}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|n}} {{rint|sanfrancisco|t}} | {{Bus icon}} Muni: {{Muni route|10}}, {{Muni route|30}}, {{Muni route|45}}, {{Muni route|47}}, {{Muni route|81X}}, {{Muni route|82X}}, {{Muni route|83X}} | {{Bus icon}} Flixbus }} |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/routes-stops/e-embarcadero}}
- [http://www.streetcar.org Market Street Railway]
- [http://www.streetcar.org/mim/streetcars/status/index.html Streetcar Fleet Status]
{{Muni}}
{{USLightRail}}
{{Heritage Streetcars}}
Category:San Francisco Municipal Railway
Category:Streetcars in California
Category:Heritage streetcar systems
Category:Heritage railroads in California