Plans to replace the existing Potrero bus yard with a new multi-level facility have been approved by both the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
The project agreement allows for the design and construction of a new bus depot to support the city’s Muni network. The facility will be built on the current Potrero Yard site in the Mission District and is intended to replace infrastructure dating back to 1915.
The redevelopment aims to improve operational efficiency and working conditions for staff, as well as support more consistent bus services. The existing yard currently serves multiple routes, including the 5 Fulton, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 30 Stockton and 49 Van Ness/Mission, which are used by tens of thousands of passengers each weekday.
The new depot is planned as a 75-foot-high structure with increased capacity, allowing for up to 246 buses compared with 146 at present. The additional space is expected to reduce maintenance delays and improve fleet availability.
The current facility does not meet modern seismic standards, and the replacement is designed to comply with updated safety requirements. The new structure will thus provide safer working conditions and reduce risks associated with earthquakes.
Alongside the transport project, a separate agreement has been approved to enable the development of approximately 100 affordable housing units on adjacent land along Bryant Street. The housing is intended for households with a range of income levels and will be delivered in partnership with local development organisations.
The project also includes community-focused features such as public meeting space, upgraded pedestrian infrastructure, cycle lanes and additional bicycle parking. Plans indicate that the new facility will support electric trolley buses, which form part of the city’s lower-emission public transport network.
The total cost of the bus yard redevelopment is set at 612 million USD, with financing to be arranged over a 30-year period through a public-private partnership.
Preparatory work is expected to begin later this year, including site clearance and relocation of existing operations. Demolition of the current yard is scheduled to start in early 2027, with construction of the new facility planned for completion in 2030.
