Hi Alex:
Notified by an alert neighborhood network member just before 6PM on Thursday, September 15, 2016 of the accident at 24th and Castro. I do not know the accident time but most likely about 5:30PMish.
SFO 475, placard 06-5092, a double deck bus, was in the middle of the intersection with the vehicle to the right. The large Commuter Bus was negotiating a right turn from westbound 24th to uphill northbound Castro.
The following northbound Muni buses were delayed before 24th Street:
coach 5621 run 133
coach 5614 run 134
coach 5516 run 65
The following Commuter Buses were lined up westbound 24th Street:
Corinthian 247 12-0053
Loop 36 07-5106
WeDriveU 2357 05-5013
WeDriveU 10 05-5017
WeDriveU 262 05-5015
Storer 905 10-5007
WeDriveU 2613, 05-5055 was parked on northbound Castro immediately south of 24th Street in the middle of the street. I can only assume this bus attempted to circumvent the 24th Street backup and operated on residential streets to get into this position.
When I arrived just after 6PM there was no traffic control at the intersection. Traffic eastbound 24th was flowing but autos stuck between the Corporate Buses were attempting to drive around them. Only observed one Police Sargent about 6:15PM when the flat bed tow truck arrived. He then departed.
The wide turning buses at this intersection cause “intersection stalemate”. Bus turning in either direction cause autos to pull to the right, back up, or freeze in place unexpectedly facing an oncoming bus in their lane. The new crosswalks installed last year are severely damaged by the buses turning up the steep Castro Street Hill.
With over 30 buses an hour, the traffic flow is negatively impacted on both streets.
Muni line 24 was delayed by three buses or at least half an hour. About 6:45PM I called 311 and the outbound (return southbound) line 24 bus was five minutes 25 minutes and 29 minutes. So I opted for a 48 bus for a short grocery shopping trip.
I assume this incident has been documented, as I did not observe the police making a report. This may be considered a minor incident, but the vehicle was towed and created considerable disruption to Muni, with the neighborhood sharing in the daily pain of the very large Commuter Buses.
Two photos show the subject bus and the other photo shows the 24th Street backup.
Thank you,
Ed