SFMTA To Overhaul Muni Metro With $41M Grant — ‘This Is Critical Work That Cannot Be Delayed’

The California Transportation Commission recently awarded the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) a $41 million grant to implement game-changing updates to Muni Metro. The milestone grant will provide essential funds for SFMTA’s Train Control Upgrade Project (TCUP) , which incorporates wireless train control technology and more upgrades to make trips faster and more efficient. Muni Metro’s current train control system runs on tech from the 1990s. SFMTA recently wrote on their blog, “This is critical work that cannot be delayed.” System improvements and infrastructure overhaul ----------------------------------------------- The Train Control Upgrade Project will incorporate new Communications-Based Train Control technology , making citywide operations safer and more efficient. Currently, SFMTA’s outdated train control system is only available in the subways, and SFMTA’s Transportation Management Center has less visibility and communication with trains on the streets. Street trains rely fully on the operator’s manual control and must pause at subway portals to await signals. With the new tech, SFMTA’s Transportation Management Center will be able to track, communicate, and troubleshoot issues with every light rail vehicle in service . With all Muni Metro trains continuously connected, they estimate seeing a 20% improvement in efficiency, avoiding delays and making operations safer. The new system will also incorporate features like traffic light timing, pre-set service patterns for special events at Oracle Park and Chase Center, regular software updates, and improved data collection. The goal is for riders to experience fewer delays, shorter and smoother rides, and better transport reliability throughout San Francisco. Project timeline ---------------- TCUP is a long-term project that has just begun a complex design process. The new technology will be installed in overlapping phases. * Phase 1: The first on-street installation between Embarcadero Station and Mission Bay, which is expected to finish in 2028. * Phase 2: Subway technology replacement, which should begin in late 2026 and end in 2030. * Additional phases : More on-street installations should be finished in 2032. 🌐 Learn more : SFMTA Source: https://secretsanfrancisco.com/sfmta-muni-metro-grant-train-control-system/