Muni unveils colorful new holiday bus design
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The recently debuted 49 Van Ness bus featuring Muni's holiday sweater design. Photo: Courtesy of SFMTA
Muni's 49 Van Ness is getting a makeover.
The big picture: Following in the footsteps of the beloved psychedelic Grateful Dead bus wrap, this year's Muni holiday sweater design is being blown up and wrapped around buses along the 49 Van Ness route, adding a splash of color ahead of seasonal festivities.
State of play: The artwork highlights neighborhood-specific landmarks, such as the Dragon Gate, as well as cultural elements and wildlife, including coyotes.
- The geometric patterns were inspired by Bauhaus design and reflect the way Muni connects communities and fosters shared experiences —like a patchwork of stitches, graphic designer Anton Belov told Axios.
- The first bus hit the road last week. More wraps are planned.
What they're saying: "This is the first time we're translating the ... design elements from a holiday item to vehicle wraps," SFMTA marketing lead Sophia Scherr told Axios.
- It's a way to "bring some brightness and holiday cheer and life back to the city," Scherr said.
- Seeing his design scaled up on buses is "totally surreal," added Belov, who grew up in San Francisco. "I get paid in people's joy."
Between the lines: The campaign comes as SFMTA faces a budget deficit of over $300 million next year.
- While Muni is at a post-pandemic ridership high, the deficit could force a 30% service cut.
- Part of the hope is that seeing the colorful design on the streets will remind people of the role transit plays in their lives, Scherr noted.
What's next: The bus wrap is the first step of SFMTA's Merry Days of Muni initiative, though the team kept mum on what's planned.
- This year's holiday sweater, which went on presale over the summer, will return to the Muni store in a limited quantity.
