New 'CultureBus' Tour Gives Glimpse into San Francisco Theater District

By: Sep. 16, 2008
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

Take your imagination for a ride aboard 74X CultureBus, an entirely new bus route to be operated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) with the crucial support of many of San Francisco's world-class cultural institutions. The CultureBus pilot service will link passengers to a wide range of San Francisco's museums and cultural attractions beginning on Saturday, September 20, 2008. For one flat fare, Muni customers will have unlimited access to CultureBus - Muni route 74X - for the day. CultureBus will provide easy, economical and eco-friendly service from downtown San Francisco to Golden Gate Park and stop near various cultural institutions along the way, including the Asian Art Museum, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the de Young Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Yerba Buena Neighborhood and the California Academy of Sciences, which will re-open in Golden Gate Park September 27. This marks the first collaboration between the City and County of San Francisco, the SFMTA, the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Yerba Buena Alliance and various cultural institutions.

"CultureBus will help San Francisco visitors and residents enjoy our many cultural jewels in an environmentally-friendly way," said Mayor Gavin Newsom. "I encourage everyone to take a ride on CultureBus and enjoy all our fantastic city has to offer."

"We are delighted to be a partner in CultureBus, which will be a green way to experience San Francisco's rich array of cultural institutions," said SFMTA Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford. Sr. "This type of direct, express service is exactly what our customers are asking for as we continue our broader work to transform Muni."

"The CultureBus will provide both locals and visitors with yet another 'Only in San Francisco' experience," commented Joe D'Alessandro, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO. "The 74X will not only allow the City's museums to be much more accessible, but will further promote San Francisco's vast arts and cultural attractions."

With its vibrant yellow design and distinctive red CB logo, 74X CultureBus will be easy to spot and easily accessible. The five outbound stops are: Howard & New Montgomery, 3rd Street & Minna (Yerba Buena), Geary & Powell (Union Square), McAllister & Larkin (Civic Center) and Music Concourse Drive (Golden Gate Park). The seven inbound stops are: Music Concourse Drive (Golden Gate Park), Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (Golden Gate Park), Lincoln Way & 9th Avenue (Golden Gate Park), Larkin & McAllister (Civic Center), Post & Powell (Union Square), 3rd Street & Mission (Yerba Buena) and Howard & New Montgomery. Excluding certain holidays, CultureBus will run approximately every 20 minutes, from 8:40 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. daily.

For a flat fare of $7 for adults and $5 for seniors, youths [5-17 years old] and people with disabilities, passengers will not only enjoy unlimited travel in any direction on the date of issue. They will also receive discounted admission to certain cultural destinations, including the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum. In addition to the six sponsoring institutions, countless other museums, performance venues and other notable destinations are accessible by CultureBus. The California Historical Society, Cartoon Art Museum, City Hall, Conservatory of Flowers, GLBT Historical Society, Japanese Tea Garden, Museum of African Diaspora, Museum of Craft and Folk Art, Museum of Performance & Design, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Botanical Gardens, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, SF Camerawork, Society of California Pioneers, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Zeum are all just a short walk from CultureBus stops.

74X CultureBus will also provide easy access to major transit lines and routes for travel within and beyond the City, including the F Line and its historic streetcars; the iconic San Francisco cable cars; ferry service at the Embarcadero; and BART for travel across the greater Bay Area. Other Muni bus routes are a short walk from CultureBus stops.

Tickets are available for purchase onboard CultureBus. Correct change must be used when paying. Muni customers who are Fast Pass, Passport or CityPass holders need only to show their pass and pay a discounted rate of $3 when boarding CultureBus. Muni customers who purchase an $11 Passport can also travel on all Muni services, including cable cars, all day. Children 4 and under are free.

For additional information on 74X CultureBus, please visit www.SFCultureBus.org.

 



Videos