MUNI – 21 Hayes

They did it, they did it!
The double stops on Scott Street are gone. Yes, my Muni-​loving friends, you read that correctly. Muni has finally rid my neighborhood of the most redundant, time-​wasting, and laziness-​breeding bus stops in the City and County of San Francisco. Yes, I realize that the 5-​Fulton still stops four times within an eighth of a mile near City Hall, and yes, the 21-​Hayes still has that almost-​as-​ridiculous Polk Street stop (also near City Hall), but I wait for the 21 at the corner of Hayes and Divis every morning, and the death of redundancy hasn’t made my stop any worse. In fact, it’s made it better, somehow.
The 21 is still way too slow (you’ll still get home faster taking the 5, even with the walking you’ll have to do). That Polk Street stop is a major culprit, and I can think of many other stops that should get the ax, but I promised to up the rating, and I’m a man of my word.
P. S. They also got rid of the Broderick stops in both directions. Not as big a deal, but the added parking is definitely a bonus on Scott and Broderick, as the new bike lanes on Fell and Oak scuttled dozens of parking spots.

Usually this bus is cleaner than other lines, at least heading inbound.
Maybe they should show up when the muni sign says they’re going to show up and not ghost me, bro. Maybe.

I’ve been riding MUNI a lot the past couple of months and I’ve seen a huge improvement in service and that includes today’s run on the 21 Hayes — super speedy.
Maybe service has improved because rear door boarding’s allowed, speeding up the line. Whatever the reason, I’ve experienced small wait times and seamless connections.
And, it’s a steal at $ 2 with free transfers. Chicago’s public transit cost more than that 20 years ago.

This bus never comes when it is supposed to. Avoid it if you’re trying to get to work on time!

nice bus ride… from downtown to beautiful Alamo Square. Friendly drivers:)

I enjoy taking the 21 Hayes because of its convenience and it takes me to places like:
— Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
— Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
— City Hall
— Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and a few other places
Like most other MUNI routes which some of us take, the 21 Hayes is also among one of MUNI’s most crowded bus routes. Taking this route during midday hours from Monday-​Friday is a much better idea since it will get crowded during rush hours.
Quick Tip:
— December 28, 2012 will officially mark the first century of MUNI’s existance!
Feel free to click on the link above to see this article!

The only thing I like about this bus line is that it stops at Alamo Square.

*Pubic Service Announcement*
Muni is promote healthy living by making people walk from Hayes Valley to Civic Center. Sure, Americans need to reduce obesity, but I’m aerodynamic*
No cuddling with you in bed for not showing up after the wait.
*code for slightly underweight.

This bus was pretty nice before they cut the line to Stanyan. I had no problems with my morning commute because I had the 21 and the 5, now I’m mostly stuck with the 5 :(. I wish the 21 ran more often and didn’t stop every block. Also, going down Hayes in Hayes Valley after work is hell, all the traffic from turning down Fell. Telling the 21 riders to take the 5 was a horrible idea; the 5 route is way too long aka crowded and it doesn’t run according to schedule (multiples in a row, then none at all). MUNI is ruining 2010 commuting.

Couldn’t find this route on Unilocal before and while riding the 21 so thought I would create it for you folks. The wait can be a bit cruddy in the day and can sometimes get crowded at the rush hour. It’s convenient for those needing to get to the Department of Motor Vehicles, University of San Francisco, Downtown S. F, Painted Ladies (Victorian Houses), Hayes Valley (boutiques & cafes), Symphony, City Hall, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Ferry Building, etc. I hope MUNI does not consolidate this line or else I’ll have to resort to the N which is a greater hassle.

I know five stars seems a little extreme but this is really my favorite line in the city. In reality it probably doesn’t deserve five stars but in comparison to the rest of the MUNI lines out there I think it is the best. Took me to work at the Ferry Building everyday, got me down town when I was too afraid to take the 31 (after nearly being punched in the face by a bum).
I think this line is nicer then the rest and it takes you by Alamo Square which is super pretty and through Hayes Valley (which despite having a Yuppy-​esk quality, I absolutely love it). Plus I feel like it runs more on time then most other MUNI lines. I usually take it after shopping downtown too because I’m more likely to get a seat.
I have such confidence in this line that it is one of the few that I will take my family on when they are in town since nothing really bad has happened to me on the 21 yet… [knocks on wood]

Okay, I take it back. 1 star? What was I thinking? This bus and travel adventure is more like a free 5-​star comedy show!
Last night we took this bus on over to Nopa and a fight almost broke out on the bus! It was fantastic. Drunk loud man vs. Sistah Who Ain’t Playin’ With Yo Ignorant Ass! Wooot!
It started off as any other 21 Hayes ride would. Packed, hot, crowded, annoying. Standing room only and a guaranteed way to understand the plight of a sardine in a can. About 3 stops after getting on, someone made a loud «Ahhhhh!!» sound. Half of the bus turned around to see who made the noise, the rest of the bus was on the «Oh this is just par for the Muni course» tip.
I, of course, looked, because hey, I like weird people making weird sounds in public :) What I saw was a man who could be Samuel Jackson’s stand in… only really drunk (Think Dave Chappelle’s Samuel Jackson beer skit). He was listening to headphones and either didn’t know just how loud he was, or frankly was drunk and crazaaay and didn’t care.
He then decides to stand up and yanks on the stop requested chord across the window. I say yanked, but really, it was more like ferociously spazzed out with the thing, yelling «Thish ish my shtoppp!!!» Only, this wasn’t his stop. I don’t think he even had a stop. What he did have was one pissed off passenger on the bus.
Sam Jackson decided to try and push up on her and she wasn’t havin it. I shot her the «I feel your pain, girl and I got your back» stare and it was, as the kids say, on! After a couple stops of him doing his drunken comedy routine, my new BFF with attitude proceeded to cuss his ass out.
Homegirl: «You need to get your drunk ass of this bus! Fo real, man. I ain’t even playin! Stop tryin to rub up on me, mutha fucka!»
Me: «Yeah!!!» (This was what I said in my head)
Homegirl: «Get off the bus, why you playin! Damn Ignorant! Shiiiit!»
From there, she basically pushed his drunk ass to the curb… literally and the bus was back to its normal crowded, yet slightly less stale alcoholic smelling than before self. Once we got to our stop, a few people that were witness to the fight, also got off and we all burst into laughter over what just happened.
How could I have ever given this bus a 1 star. Sooo golden!

Speaking from the new to the city, new to being single black man’s perspective …
I just moved to the Panhandle from Inner Sunset. For perspective I can only compare the 21 to the N. I know, i know, give it more time but looking through these rose colored glasses… The 21 actually makes sense. Its spaced out well and during my rush hour commute to and from Embarcadero One, its my preferred form of transport. So far the 21 has asked for nothing from me, and after being constantly asked to compromise from the N line I’m actually starting to get my self esteem back.
Wow…I think I just gave propers to Muni!!!

This bus stop is on the corner of the block that houses my BF’s apartment. Normally, I find it very satisfying, fulfilling and reliably every 12 mins. It has a little bus hovel under which I can cower for when the weather is poor or under which I can stand when the weather is a little too fine (skin cancer is the enemy) and I’ve forgotten the «My Fair Lady» inspired wide brimmed straw hat in my other horse draw carriage. I take it in to downtown and it drops me off right where I want to be.
That is normally. Today was not normal apparently. There was a wind blowing from the south and it stirred up a might cloud of crazy around these parts.
It was not raining yet when I left the apartment though they sky was threatening to unleash the contents of its heavily-​laden bowels with the dark pulsating gray skies and thick, low-​lying clouds. Walking up to the bus stop, things appeared normal as a middle aged man walked in to said hovel and sat down. He noticed me as I approached and asked me something. Innocently I ask, «pardon?» He repeated himself, «got any change?» I decided to stand outside of the hovel to wait because it was obvious he wasn’t waiting to get on the bus.
I didn’t have to wait long before that man started to mumble and spout all sorts of conversation with 3 different opinions, punctuated with phrases like, «it weren’t no space ship… it was flying right at me… women shouldn’t wear expensive dresses, not while they’re…shipping the damn things to Kosovo… why’re you scaring her… don’t know nothing about the goverenment… it’s the end o the ine for you… can’t do a thing about the hostage situation… guns are the answer to the famine…» It goes on. But for me, it’d started to rain.
Hesitatingly, I moved in to the hovel because I didn’t have an umbrella. I kept looking at the end of the street for the bus when I noticed a tall stocky man wearing a tan leather cowboy hat and a wife beater sauntering down the street towards us. It looked like he was making a beeline for the bus hovel and the man already inside jumped up to ask him the same question as he’d asked me. But the cowboy just did that funny thing with his lips like Zoolander and kept walking and moving his head back and forth, walked on by.
The next person to interact with the group was an older black man who said hello to the mumbler and sat down. He pulled out a bag of tobacco and they start rolling cigarettes. The mumbler turns his attention to the new man and directs his mumbles at him.
The whole interaction felt like a kind of Quintin Tarantino film where the characters have these chance encounters (or ARE they?) that end up changing the course of history forever. Each word exchanged has infinite repercussions felt like water undulating away from a bit of flotsam.
And for that, I thank you Number 21 bus for bringing a bit of poetry (though scary and sometimes I fear you) in to my life. I also thank you for being closer in proximity to my BF’s apartment on days that are rainy, when my feet hurt, for being more reliable that the 71, and at least i know the route you go.
I’m still new to this bus thing.

One block away, nice drivers who don’t mind when I eat my breakfast OR drink my pregame beer, and classier riders than the 5 or the 6÷7÷71 down on Haight.
Also, at the hours I ride, I often get my coveted seat across from the back doors– it has more leg room :)

I rode the 21 for 2 years and what a ride it was …
Ballerina season. they get on at fulton and clayton. Gobs of them. Super fit and young. Hated them.
A lady while standing was eating fried chicken and throwing the bones out the window then holding the bars again without wiping her hands.
A group of youths threatened to beat up a guy once we got to Market street. They voiced this super loud over and over. Driver didn’t do anything. We got to Market and they kept their word. Driver didn’t do anything.
A girl threatened to beat up another girl for looking at her the wrong way. The other girl got scared and got off the bus.
While pregnant rarely was a seat offered. Those who did offer were mostly african american women. Go sistahs!
There were times where I waited 25 mins for the 21 on a weekday morning prime time.
Ahh, good times good times. Just some of the fond memories off the top of my head. I give it two stars for the convenience and the diversity.

This is the glorious public bus line that takes me to and from work every day. Here’s how it goes: I walk out ½ a block and wait for the bus near Baker Street. Sometimes, when I know it’s going to be crowded, I might walk up a block or two to get a seat.
As with most buses, you hear all kinds of stories as you can’t help but eavesdrop (what is it with people who make cell phones calls on public transportation?). I particularly like seeing some of the same people from time to time but find it sad that we don’t actually address each other. We’re a city of strangers sometimes, despite having so many commonalities i.e. destinations, neighborhoods, etc.
Sure the bus can get crowded during rush hour, but you know what, get a car then. Me, I just try and smile and take it all in, you just can’t bear witness on the human condition for cheaper.
Next time you see me, try and smile back. Let’s make taking the 21 the bestest evah!

I need to give the 21 5 stars for all the times it has taken me to work and home. There’s the 5 Fulton one block away and yet I opt for the 21.
Several of my friends are 21-​ers too. We have realized that we all know the 21 crazies that have come upon our paths on this bus.
Our perennial favorite is the woman we affectionately call «Double Wide». Not because she’s big, mind you.
It’s the stroller. The double wide stroller. It’s usually empty as her 3 little boys are always running amuk wiping their grubby little hands everywhere, screaming and fighting and screaming and she screams at them to stop.
Sometimes before 8 AM.
We always see her manhandling her kids on the bus, but the time we spotted Double Wide at the grocery store we just about shit ourselves silly.
And then there’s the one drunk homeless guy who steals bags of Starbucks Coffee Beans and tries to use it as a bartering tool with the bus driver for a free ride.
And then there’s the other drunk homeless guy, who smells like bad cabbage and shoes.
And then there the other drunk homeless guy…
Welcome to San Francisco kids! Love it.

The 21/​Hayes has RESTORED my FAITH in HUMANITY. That’s right, your eyes aren’t deceiving you: I capitalized three words in my title. Why? Because I DEMONSTRATE my complete and utter SINCERITY with erratically capitalized words. Enough about me and the English language, though; let’s move on to me and the bus.
So I was on the bus a recent weekday morning, commuting into the FiDi with the masses, when for no apparent reason, I passed out. Probably because I have a raging meth habit and haven’t eaten in over seventeen days. But that’s not the point. The point is that I blacked out on a crowded bus, most likely foaming at the mouth and pawing at strangers’ naughty bits for at least thirty seconds before I fell onto the woman seated in front of me, and what did those innocent bystanders do?
Steal my purse.
Just kidding; that would be awful. Instead of ignoring my crumpled, convulsing body (ok, fine, so I’m taking a little artistic liberty here with the whole «convulsing» thing, but you know what? I BLACKED OUT ON A BUS SO ALLOW ME MY DRAMATIC Unilocal REVIEWS DAMMIT), at least five different people tried to help me. One woman gave me her bottled water, another offered her seat, and several women even offered to walk me back to my office. Seriously, how cool is that? Strangers helping strangers and all that shit. Of course, it probably helped that for once I didn’t look like a hobo.
So thank you, 21/​Hayes, for reminding me that not everyone in the city is a crack-​addled, panhandling, unshowered vagrant. You know it’s not such a bad place when *I’m* the most unsavory element on the bus.

I cruised on the 21 Hayes for a couple of years back when I lived on Hayes & Webster. Problem was, typically by 8 AM, you’d be lucky to get in the bus, let alone get a seat.
Entertaining it most certainly was. Sometimes, in that insanely crowded bus, I felt like the Karate Kid trying to balance on one foot. My hands would try desperately to clutch the rail above my head. No, I couldn’t quite reach. So I’d have to bend my knees, get into surf mode, and try to stay standing up. Of course, I could see all you bitches sitting down and snickering as I almost fell… repeatedly.
If you’re in FiDi and you want to get your ass home pronto, then take the 38 express and switch to the 22, but if you want to go with the flow, the 21’s right up your alley.