There’s a first for everything, and it usually takes place in San Francisco. This time, a diverse array of San Francisco Institutions have come together to offer both visitors and locals something called a CultureBus (www.sfculturebus.org/). Its a pilot project, under which passengers will be shuttled on a route strewn with Museums and cultural attractions in San Francisco.

The CultureBus, which will run along the new express route 74X, will be operated by the SFMTA. Service begins on Saturday, with the bright yellow coaches emblazoned with red ‘CB’ logos, running every 20 minutes from 8.40 a to 5.50 pm everyday. Tickets have to purchased on-board the bus in cash (exact change) only. No online booking. The unlimited full day access fare is $7 ($5 for seniors, disabled and children of age 5-17), which includes discounted admission ($3 off at the Academy of Sciences and $2 off at de Young) to several of the museums on the route.

Speaking of which, the Culturebug (bus) will link the California Academy of Sciences (grand re-opening on Sept 27th) and the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park with downtown San Francisco museums including the Asian Art Museum in Civic Center, Union Square, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the rest of the Yerba Buena neighborhood. The bus will cover the full route, from Market Street to the Golden Gate Park, in about 30 minutes.

“It’s not just for tourists, although the appeal there is self-evident,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom in a press statement. “It’s also for San Franciscans to rediscover these cultural jewels. I think it’s going to be a great success.” Newsom helped push to get the CultureBus rolling by cobbling together a working coalition which includes the city, Muni, the San Francisco CVB, the Yerba Buena Alliance and the individual arts organizations who run the Museums along the route.

You can find more details about the CultureBus at the following sites: www.sfculturebus.org, www.sfmta.com, www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com, www.AsianArt.org, www.CalAcademy.org, www.TheCJM.org, www.FAMSF.org, www.SFMOMA.org, and www.YerbaBuena.org.

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by Thomas
Filed under: Art & Museums, San Francisco