The Central Subway has been shut down. Will anyone notice?
Briefly

The Central Subway in San Francisco, which opened two years ago, has been shut down due to significant water intrusion issues, highlighting persistent operational problems. The shutdown is projected to last 17 days at a cost of approximately $6.5 million. Initially budgeted at $647 million, the project's cost ballooned to nearly $2 billion, while ridership has plummeted to 9,500 daily boardings. In comparison, Muni's overall ridership is around 479,000 daily, raising questions about the subway's viability.
The Central Subway's closure comes after just over two years of operation, attributed to water intrusion issues causing significant discomfort for riders.
Initial estimates for the subway's construction were significantly lower than the final budget, which rose from $647 million to nearly $2 billion.
Current daily ridership for the Central Subway is around 9,500, starkly modest compared to overall Muni ridership, which exceeds 479,000.
The ongoing closure invites riders to use existing bus services, highlighting a long-standing and cost-effective alternative to the subway.
Read at Mission Local
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