A light rail vehicle takes a test run along Taraval Street. Regular train service resumed on the L Taraval Line in September.
L Taraval light rail service has returned after the multi-year L Taraval Improvement Project. And that’s the subject of our latest Taken with Transportation podcast episode.
“Riding into the Sunset (The Return of the L Taraval)” showcases the vibrant Taraval corridor and the essential role of public transit in the area.
Welcome back, L Taraval
“I was born and raised in San Francisco,” Muni rider Adrian tells Taken with Transportation Host Melissa Culross. “So, you know, the L has always been a part of my life.”
So many people are excited for the return of the L Taraval. In the episode, Culross catches up with several riders as soon as the trains start rolling again.
“We’ve lived here for three years, but we’ve never seen the train run before,” Cynthia Kelly says. She and her family moved to the Sunset after the project began. They would take buses that ran along the L line during construction. The buses weren’t always as convenient as light rail vehicles. But the family was still able to get around, and they supported the project.
“We know how important public transportation is for our city and for our climate goals,” Kelly’s husband Joshua adds.
We officially welcomed back L Taraval light rail service with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 26, 2024.
Making improvements above and below ground
We worked with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and San Francisco Public Works on the L Taraval Improvement Project. The PUC upgraded and repaired the water and sewer lines underground. Public Works repaved the street from curb to curb. And we replaced the tracks and overhead wires along the L Taraval Line.
“This is a corridor that had rail that had been…out there since the 1970s,” explains SFMTA Transit Priority Manager Michael Rhodes. We also made safety and efficiency improvements along Taraval Street that you’ll hear about in the episode.
A smooth ride to a destination neighborhood
Our improved L Taraval service should help more people discover all that this part of the Sunset has to offer. That includes its many restaurants.
“We’re kind of like known as dumpling row,” says Albert Chow. Chow owns Great Wall Hardware on Taraval. He’s also president of People of Parkside Sunset, the neighborhood merchants’ association. “We’ve also had a shave ice Hawaiian-style restaurant that opened up. We have a Korean restaurant that serves anything you can think of on a stick. We had two French restaurants open up on Taraval since the project was completed.”
San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio represents the Sunset District west of 19th Avenue. He calls the L Taraval a beacon of hope. “There’s a lot happening out here in the neighborhoods,” Engardio says. “And this train will bring the renaissance to the Sunset.”
How to listen
You can find “Riding into the Sunset (The L Taraval Returns)” and all our Taken with Transportation episodes at our podcast webpage (SFMTA.com/Podcast) and on our YouTube channel. We’re also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast directories. To learn more about the L Taraval Improvement Project, go to our project webpage (SFMTA.com/LTaravalProject).