With only two weeks and a couple of days left until Muni's so-called "10%" service cuts, you'd expect time schedules and online trip planning programs (Google Maps and 511.org) would be updated so the public can prepare for this.
Muni really cut it close during service changes effective December 5, 2009 when Google's trip planning program was ready eight days before, and 511's trip planner was an awful four days before the changes. The revised time schedules was less than four days published to the public.
For those who ride major lines that operate on a frequent basis (e.g., 38L), there's no real need for a published schedule or online trip planning, but for those who ride bus lines that operate every 15-30 minutes, it's a big necessity to minimize waiting in the cold or wet weather.
Currently, Muni has all their website visitors go to 511's website to view bus/train schedules and thereby is the official resource for all passengers to find out when buses depart or arrive. At this time, 511.org does not have any updated schedules.
Also, 511's online trip planner program allows the public to input a specific date of their journey to distinguish weekday schedules, holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays. At this current time, a user can schedule a trip plan up until May 10th, better known as the first weekday of the service cuts. As you see in the image below, the service changes has not yet happened because the 18-46th Avenue bus line will be changing to 20 minute frequencies instead of 15 minutes.
I actually like Google Maps better for trip planning because it's easier to read. The service changes have not yet been updated on Google Maps (as seen below).
Come on Muni PR people, step it up a notch and give us at least our time schedules!
Hmm, I don't know if Ford is just dragging his heels, but in comments on sfgate City Insider on Thursday, he seemed to imply the cuts might not be as bad as planned.
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