The astonishing cost to run San Francisco’s historic cable cars revealed as city pleads for transit bailout

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The astonishing cost to run San Francisco’s historic cable cars revealed as city pleads for transit bailout
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A new report from urban policy group SPUR lays bare the eye-popping cost.

The tension, between strong performance and serious financial strain, is exactly what voters will be asked to weigh as the city pushes for a bailout.The historic cars cost an eye-popping $871 per hour to run — nearly three times the systemwide average, according to a new report from urban police group That revelation comes at a precarious moment for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which faces a ballooning deficit that could reach $434 million by 2030.

the San Francisco Chronicle , Muni’s fare revenue has fallen off a cliff. Inflation-adjusted income dropped from $283 million in 2015 to $97 million in 2024.However, some of that plunge is by design. Free rides for youth and steep discounts for seniors and unhoused riders have eaten into the bottom line. But officials also admit fare evasion is rising, forcing the agency to step up inspections. Still, that has only recently nudged the revenue per rider by 6%. The tension, between strong performance and serious financial strain, is exactly what voters will be asked to weigh as the city pushes for a bailout. Despite carrying a small share of riders, they account for roughly 7% of operating costs, the report found. SPUR stopped short of calling for cuts but urged leaders to find ways to squeeze more revenue out of the historic system.Half-naked twerking Texas spring breaker hurled from Jeep in viral video has died Chilling moment Bryan Kohberger talks about his college murders with DMV worker — as he changed his license plate The tension, between strong performance and serious financial strain, is exactly what voters will be asked to weigh as the city pushes for a bailout.transit systems in the United States, with strong pandemic ridership recovery, solid efficiency metrics and relatively moderate operating costs overall.Ridership patterns have shifted dramatically, with downtown routes lagging while crosstown services rebound, raising questions about whether the system is aligned with how San Franciscans actually travel today. SPUR’s lead author likened the agency to an aging athlete: still performing impressively, but carrying underlying health risks. The tension between strong performance and serious financial strain is exactly what voters will be asked to weigh as the city pushes for a bailout. And looming over it all is a symbol of San Francisco itself: those charming, clanging cable cars, now revealed to be as costly as they are iconic.Gang-rape victim, 25, whose suicide attempt left her paralyzed, will die by euthanasia after court battle2.3KLI woman suing Instagram over eating disorder says 'old man' Mark Zuckerberg doesn't understand 'experiences of young girls'Paige DeSorbo swears off Botox after going ‘overboard’: ‘It made me uglier’Heather Graham defends being child-free at 56, following ‘non-traditional path’Stream It Or Skip It: 'Bait' On Prime Video, Where Riz Ahmed Is A Struggling Actor Who Helps Start A Rumor About Him Being The Next James Bond

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