Tips for Safer, Easier School Trips

Announcement from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA): 

As your family gets ready for the new school year, the SFMTA is helping to make trips to and from school safer and easier.

Lowering speed limits around schools to keep students safe

You may notice new 15 and 20 mph speed limits around schools this year. The SFMTA is moving quickly to implement California’s new school speed limit law (AB382). They’re starting work at six schools as students return. Next, they will expand citywide, covering streets that serve more than 230 schools over the next two years.

The SFMTA has also: 

• Completed more than 40 school crossing improvements ahead of the new school year
• Daylighted more than 2,300 school intersections to improve visibility at crosswalks

Staffing crossing guards at every intersection covered last year 

The SFMTA has confirmed that crossing guards will be back at every location covered last year. They’re supporting students and families at 96 schools across the city. New and returning crossing guards completed their training and are ready for the new school year. 

Making changes on Muni to directly support school communities  

• Muni is free for all youth 18 and under! And the team is always working to make trips – including those to school – even more reliable. Just since this spring the SFMTA has:
  • Made changes that make trips on the T Third up to seven minutes faster.
  • Built a safer boarding island near Balboa High School and Denman Middle School for M Ocean View riders. At San Jose Ave & Geneva Ave, we built a longer, wider boarding island so that Muni riders no longer step from or onto the street using this stop.

Starting Aug. 29, Muni service changes to begin, directly support school communities:

• 8AX Bayshore A Express: 
  • Now, students heading from Visitacion Valley or the Portola to Francisco Middle School can take a one-seat ride to school with more morning 8 Bayshore trips! There’s no need to transfer anymore. 
• 28R 19th Avenue Rapid: This route will now stop at 19th Avenue and Eucalyptus Drive! That means Lowell students and others can take the 28 19th Avenue or the 28R 19th Avenue Rapid to reach school.  

The SFMTA is also adding more trips during morning peak hours on other routes that support students. They include the 22 Fillmore, 29 Sunset, 38R Geary Rapid and 49 Van Ness-Mission.

Want to add Muni to your school trip mix? Check out: 

• The Muni Routes to City Schools webpage. You can find your school and see which buses or trains serve it. 
• Muni’s online trip planner for directions to any school in the city.
• Try out your commute before school starts. Because Muni vehicles often become crowded during morning peak hours and sometimes pass up stops when there is not enough room for extra riders, families are encouraged to plan their trips ahead of time and hop on Muni early to make sure students get to school on time.

Supporting school drop-off: Tips for families 

School streets will be busy again. Make sure to slow down, allow extra time for your trip and look out for children walking, biking and crossing. 

Parking control officers will also be out around schools helping keep streets and crossings safe and accessible.

Here are some tips for drop-off and pick-up:

• Use your school’s designated passenger loading zone. It will be marked by a white curb and Passenger Loading signs.
• Look for a legal parking space. 

To avoid getting a ticket, make sure to:

• Keep crosswalks, bike lanes and Muni stops clear.
• Never stop or park at a red curb.
• Check signs and curb colors before stopping or parking.
• Keep daylighted areas around crosswalks clear so people can see each other.

Learn more about passenger loading zones and how to park legally in San Francisco.

Helping students get to school with the Four Fun Ways

The Safe Routes to School Team at the SFMTA promotes the Four Fun Ways to get to school all year long. These are walking, biking, carpooling and taking Muni or the yellow school bus. 

For tips and resources on each type of trip, see the SFMTA’s Back to School Travel Tips: The Four Fun Ways blog.

And the Safe Routes team is running plenty of events this school year: 

• Walk & Roll to School Week: Oct. 5-7, 2026
• Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day: Nov. 13, 2026
• Ride Muni to School Week: Feb 1-4, 2027
• Bike & Roll to School Week: May 3-7, 2027

Want to learn more? You can: 

• Visit the Safe Routes to School website.
• Sign up for the team’s newsletter.
• Get in touch at SafeRoutes@SFMTAcomSupporting teachers: Parking help may be available

If your school is in a Residential Permit Parking area, the SFMTA’s Teacher Parking Permit Program may help eligible teachers park near school. Ask your school administrator about availability or learn more about Teacher Parking Permits.

However you get to school, remember to:

• Plan ahead
• Take your time 
• Help keep school streets safe

We hope these tips helped, and that you and your family have a great school year!