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San Francisco Chronicle: Cities
built 179 days ago
In the past, catching public transport in San Francisco meant standing on a street corner for 20 minutes wondering when the next bus would arrive, or if, indeed, it would arrive at all. Things began to change in 1999 when the city started experimenting with the NextBus automated tracking system. Until recently, the system was only of limited use as it worked only on a few routes. But now that it's expanding citywide, NextBus is taking much of the stress out of riding Muni. Here's how it works. Passengers can log on to NextBus' Web site, call Muni's information line, or check the LED displays at some bus stops to find out in real time when the next vehicle will be approaching a particular location.
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A new report by the San Francisco Department of Public Health details that the CPMC facilities North of Market earned $67 million in tax breaks in 2007 due to their non-profit status, but performed only $5.2 million in charity care. Even with Sutter's accounting, the facilities earned far more in tax breaks than was spent on charity care. The result is greater pressure on San Francisco General Hospital and the city's clinics-and a general weakening of the city's public health safety net. By contrast, St. Luke's earned $630,000 in tax breaks because of its non-profit status, and gave $2.5 million in charity care.
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House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today announced that she secured $120 million for several key San Francisco Bay Area transportation projects in the transportation bill that passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 357 to 65. The House bill will now be reconciled with the Senate bill. Projects include $4 million for San Francisco Muni's NextBus program that will provide precise, real-time arrival information for Muni vehicles at destinations throughout the city. Passengers and transit managers will be able to access this information via the Internet, hand-held cellular devices and illuminated shelter signs. NextBus will reduce unnecessary waiting, provide vehicle on-time performance data to Muni management, and help operations managers restore normal service during disruptions.
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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, the City and County of San Francisco became the first government in the United States to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. City officials followed a directive set in motion by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Advocates heralded the move as the most significant moment in the fight for equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
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Safety San Francisco, like any other large city, has its fair share of crime, but most folks luckily don't have firsthand horror stories. In some areas, you need to exercise extra caution, particularly at night -- notably the Tenderloin, the Western Addition (south of Japantown), the Mission District (especially around 16th and Mission sts.), the lower Fillmore area (... south of Japantown), around lower Haight Street, and around the Civic Center. In addition, there are a substantial number of homeless people throughout the city, with concentrations in and around Union Square, the Theater District (3 blocks west of Union Square), the Tenderloin, and Haight Street, so don't be alarmed if you're approached for spare change. Just use common sense.
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San Francisco hotels have a special world-class character with unique Victorian architecture and a Californian point of view. From memorable boutique hotels to historic gems like the Palace Hotel in one the world's most enchanting cities, San Francisco hotels are home to over 15 million San Francisco visitors a year. Hotel deals include nearby Marin County hotels and Wine Country hotels, and specials at the centrally located Kensington Park Hotel in Union Square. Plus, guaranteed lowest Internet rate at the world famous Mark Hopkins Hotel.
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