I've been riding the N Judah Express bus since it started service on June 13, 2011 and it has GREATLY improved my commute. I live in the Outer Sunset and work in the Financial District, so I just get on at the first stop (48th & Judah) and get off at the last (Bush & Montgomery). When it's time to go home, I do it in reverse. (edited to add: in reverse, the bus boards at Sansome & Sutter)
In my opinion the express bus is much more pleasant than the regular N Judah streetcar (much less crowding), and it consistently saves me 10 minutes both ways.
Yesterday, as I disembarked in the Sunset on my way home, the man behind me scoffed, "Pshh, that STILL took 40 minutes."
Well, YES IT DID, CAPTAIN CYNICAL. See, the NX Judah Express is a BUS driving across the city during rush hour, it's not a rocket ship or some kind of hovercraft that can bypass traffic. A consistent 40 minutes, as opposed to an "hour-ish, whenever, oops it broke down, oh yeah we're turning around halfway" on the regular N Judah, is fine with me!
The NX Judah Express was never meant to REPLACE the regular N Judah, but rather to act as a service supplement to relieve crowding. I think it works wonderfully for what it is, and it's a gift to people like me who live and work on opposite ends of the city. It's not perfect, but I think it is definitely a massive improvement and I hope they keep it around. read more