In response to the snark-fest of Muni Rules, which admittedly was less of a helpful guide than a way for me to blow off some steam, I want to offer those who have never experienced San Francisco public transportation a brief guide to utilizing this (often) fabulous resource.
Why pay $30 for a hop-on-hop-off tour bus ticket when you can take Muni for only $2 per ride? I can't think of a reason unless you enjoy canned commentary and feel that this is worth paying an inflated price for. Not only does Muni have stops at or near every major tourist destination, it also goes to places not on the tourist loop, offering those unfamiliar with The City a glimpse of real San Franciscans in their native habitat.
Stuck downtown but want to check out the Golden Gate Bridge? Yes it is sometimes easier to just hail a cab and let the driver figure it out, but where's the sense of adventure in that? If you have access to a computer or smartphone it is easy to get detailed directions to and from any destination in the Bay Area through 511.org. This handy website will show you which bus(s) to take and where to catch them, estimate the journey's duration, and provide a map of the route. If you can't get on the internet there is always the transit maps posted at (supposedly) every bus shelter which, with their color-coded bus routes, are not too difficult to read (although they are obviously much easier if you know the layout of the city.) Or you could just ask someone waiting for a bus to point you in the right direction.
What about a Muni Pass? The main reason to buy a Muni Pass is convenience. For those only spending a short while in town the SFMTA sells a 1, 3 or 7 day Muni Passport that allows unlimited rides for consecutive days at a cost of $13, $20, or $26. This means that you would have to take a lot of bus rides in order to save any money, and for the 1 day pass you would need to ride seven times just to break even. While this option is unlikely to be the most economical, there is something valuable about the convenience of not having to worry about whether you have $2 in order to ride (drivers will not make change). This convenience is mitigated, however, by the fact that these passes are only sold at a few select locations-11 South Van Ness at Market, Market and Powell St, Hyde and Beach, and at information booths at SFO. If you are not sure how often you will ride Muni, and are not situated near any of these locations, it is silly to go out of your way to buy one of these passes.
For those who plan to be in San Francisco a bit longer (or indefinitely), the Clipper Card is another alternative to paying a cash fare. Clipper, according to their website, is "...an all-in-one transit card that keeps track of any passes, discount tickets, ride books, and cash value that you load into it, while applying all applicable fees, discounts, and transfer rules." You can load these things up online, over the phone, or at one of their 238 machines or participating stores throughout the Bay Area. If you plan to ride Muni often, purchasing a monthly bus pass for your Clipper Card is a good idea. The two options for adults are the Muni "A" Pass that lets you take busses and Bart anywhere in the city for $70/month, or the "B" Pass for $60 which does not include Bart. This is worth it if you ride Muni often since it not only saves you a few bucks, it frees you from the annoyance of scrounging together bus fare on a regular basis. More info on the wheres, the whats and the wonders of Clipper can be found here.
What else can I tell you about Muni? Riding Muni is a great way to get out and see San Francisco and the folks who inhabit it. One of the (arguably) best things about riding Muni is that you never know who your fellow passengers will be or what they will be doing. I have ridden with people in costumes, various stages of undress, and/or pierced all over. I have heard speeches, witnessed acrobatics, and listened to a barber-shop quartet preform. John Waters is a known rider, if that gives you any idea of what you are in for. Since almost every San Franciscan rides Muni at one time or another, the bus often gives a good glimpse into the everyday life of the city. So sit back, or hold on, and enjoy the ride.
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