Connection and Transfer
Twitter users Transbay & SFMuniRy asked us about transferring and connecting at the Union Square/Market Street Station (UMS) and Chinatown Station, we decided to answer their questions through a blog post and to post an illustration of the connection within the same system.
1) Why will it take a 5 minute transfer to exit and reenter the fare gates, in the same system, from the Powell Street Station to the UMS Station for a 2 minute ride to Chinatown?
The Union Square/Market Street Station (UMS) will have a connection to the Powell Street Station. It might take a little time to transfer, but all connections and transfers are within the underground mezzanine level. The illustrated diagram of the UMS/Powell Street Station connection indicates that the walk will be short. 
Traveling on the subway by going either direction will reduce travel time and it will bypass surface congestion on Stockton Street.
2) What are the benefits of taking the bus from North Beach and transferring to the T line in Chinatown, and would surface buses disappear when Central Subway begins service?
The benefit of taking the subway or transferring is that it reduces travel time. Surface buses will have more frequent stops and they will continue to operate along the route in order to accommodate shorter distance travelers, whereas the light rail tunnel operation will serve those traveling longer distances. Muni customers will have the option to take surface buses or subway to their desired destination. Similar to what our patrons currently experience on Market Street. The surface buses will not disappear.
