SF reveals psychedelic-themed buses: Muni showcases novel vehicle designs in San Francisco
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has unveiled a unique addition to its public transit fleet, with the launch of psychedelic-themed Muni buses and a train, dubbed the "Psychedeli-bus" and "Trippy Train." These colorful vehicles, adorned with tie-dye designs and Summer of Love motifs, will be in service starting the day after the announcement, coinciding with the Dead & Company concerts at Golden Gate Park in early August 2025.
The new buses and train, featuring peace signs, flowers, and swirls, are a city-sanctioned homage to the Grateful Dead's enduring influence and a celebration of their 60th anniversary in San Francisco. The vehicles will ferry fans directly to the venue along key routes like the 7 Haight/Noriega and 5 Fulton bus lines and the N Judah train line.
The initiative is part of the city's broader efforts to engage transit riders and concert attendees with public art that evokes the psychedelic era. The concert tickets themselves serve as all-day Muni passes, encouraging the use of public transit for the event and its associated large crowds, which officials anticipate could reach up to 60,000 daily.
The new wraps on the buses and train were designed by Muni and paid for from its marketing budget. Interestingly, they are not sponsored by any external company. The vibrant designs are a part of Muni's broader efforts to improve public perception of the transit system and the city.
Getting a ride on one of the psychedelic buses to the Dead & Company concert may require some luck, as the buses will likely run through the rest of the summer. The concert is one of several events where dozens of shuttles, including the Psychedeli-bus and Trippy Train, will be in operation.
The Muni system and its iconic 1970s "worm" logo have been growing in popularity, especially among young transit fans. To capitalize on this, a new Muni merchandise store has opened, offering items such as mugs, socks, throw pillows, and a tie-dye Muni T-shirt. The Grateful Dead, considered iconic to San Francisco's history and vibrant culture, share a similar status with the Muni worm logo.
However, Muni is currently facing a severe budget shortfall, and the agency may need to implement deep cuts or a tax measure to help fund transit. Despite this, the Summer of Love-themed Muni vehicles are a testament to the city's enduring love for its countercultural history and its commitment to enhancing the concert-going experience for its residents and visitors alike.
As SFMTA director Julie Kirschbaum stated, the themed buses serve as a reminder of Muni's role in connecting people to major San Francisco moments for generations. The success of Muni-themed merchandise, such as the sold-out Muni holiday sweaters and the thousands of Muni-themed soccer jerseys sold by the SF City FC soccer club, further underscores the public's affection for the city's unique transit system.
In conclusion, the Summer of Love-themed Muni vehicles are a city-sanctioned homage to the Grateful Dead’s enduring influence, designed to celebrate their 60th anniversary in San Francisco while facilitating access to the related Dead & Company shows at Golden Gate Park.
The SFMTA's psychedelic-themed Muni buses and train, coinciding with the Dead & Company concerts, will ferry fans directly to the venue along routes like the 7 Haight/Noriega and 5 Fulton bus lines and the N Judah train line (transportation, bus, train). The new designs on the buses and train are part of Muni's efforts to improve public perception of the transit system and the city (fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden). The vibrant designs, featuring peace signs, flowers, and swirls, were not sponsored by any external company (sports). Despite Muni's current budget challenges, the Summer of Love-themed vehicles underscore the city's enduring love for its countercultural history (entertainment, travel).
