September 14 to December, 2021
The rehabilitation of the inbound platform elevator toward downtown at Castro Station continues to make headways. The work that started earlier this year is expected to be completed in October 2021, and then begin to serve Muni customers.
The planned upgrade is part of the Muni Elevator Safety Modernization Project that is upgrading 12 Metro elevators with modern, state-of-the-art technology. The elevators are being upgraded with a new, stainless steel cab, doors, hardware, hydraulics and an operating panel that is connected to an electronic monitoring system that will track escalators and elevators 24-hours a day for operating issues.
This will greatly improve accessibility and customer experience, especially for wheelchair users, seniors, and others with disabilities who benefit from elevator access. It will also reduce maintenance related service interruptions on elevators in the future.
The SFMTA is committed to continuously improving safety and reliability for all Muni customers even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Castro elevator is the sixth of 12 being rehabilitated systemwide. To maintain an adequate accessible service, only one station is scheduled for rehabilitation at any one time in the Muni Metro system except for unexpected emergency repairs.
Alternatives to Castro Station elevators
While the elevator is closed for upgrades, customers can choose from the following for alternative service:
Traveling to Castro Station on an inbound train:
- Continue to Van Ness station. Van Ness station provides the easiest transfer because you can easily cross the center platform and board an outbound train back to Castro Station.
Traveling inbound from Castro Station:
Either:
- Take the Castro Station outbound elevator to the platform to board any outbound train, travel one stop to Forest Hill Station to transfer by elevator up and back down to the inbound platform to catch any inbound train to downtown.
Or:
- Take the 37 Corbett to Church Station and transfer to inbound trains headed downtown.
- Ambulatory customers with disabilities may use the station escalator.
Customers with disabilities may prefer to schedule a Paratransit trip as an alternative: please call 415.285.6945 the day before your ride, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and reserve a trip. Let the reservationist know it’s required because of the Castro Elevator Project.
Essential Trip Card provides discounted taxi trips
Temporary transit changes are hard for many people with disabilities and older adults for whom walking farther to an alternate bus or paying for other transportation isn’t possible. To address this need, the SFMTA created the Essential Trip Card to help older adults and people with disabilities take and pay for essential trips in taxis during this crisis.
Eligible participants will pay 20% of the cost of a regular cab ride fare for essential trips, up to $60 in value per month. If you are a 65+ years old or person with a disability, you can apply for the Essential Trip Card by calling 311 and mentioning the program or visiting the Essential Trip Card program page to learn more.
Once this work is done, the outbound platform elevator at the same station will be out of service for upgrades.