San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is seeing tangible results from the work of 29‑year‑old lead engineer Jasper Lee. Lee’s recent upgrades to the T‑Third line in Bayview have reduced travel time by about seven minutes, a significant improvement for the roughly 20,000 riders who use the route each day.
Local focus, measurable gains
Lee, who grew up in the Bay Area after moving from Taiwan, has spent countless hours riding the T‑Third from Chinatown to the far southeast neighborhoods of the city. His hands‑on experience gave him a clear view of where the line stalls, especially at the busy Channel and Third Streets intersection.
By applying a decades‑old technology known as transit‑signal priority, Lee coordinated the timing of traffic lights with the train’s approach. The system holds the green light an extra ten seconds, allowing the T‑Third to clear the intersection, make a left turn onto Channel Street, and cross the Fourth Street Bridge before the next signal changes. The result is a smoother, faster ride for commuters.
From pilot to city‑wide rollout
Lee’s efforts this winter mark the final phase of the multi‑year T‑Third improvement project. Earlier phases already delivered faster service in SoMa and the Dogpatch, and the Bayview upgrades are the latest step toward the agency’s goal of a fully reliable line.
“I’m pretty proud of that,” Lee said after demonstrating the new timing at the intersection. He added that the seven‑minute reduction is only the beginning, noting that many more minutes can still be saved as the agency fine‑tunes the system.
Why faster service matters
The T‑Third opened in Bayview in 2007, replacing a bus route that left many residents isolated from downtown job centers and essential services. Today, a lack of nearby pharmacies and large grocery stores forces many Bayview families to travel long distances for basic needs. Faster transit can help alleviate that burden by making it easier to reach other parts of the city for work, school, and shopping.
Local riders have long complained about long wait times. One commuter told Lee they often arrive five minutes after the train’s scheduled arrival, only to find the train already gone. The new signal‑priority system directly addresses those frustrations.
Community support and future plans
Lee’s work has earned praise from both SFMTA officials and Bayview residents who hope the improvements will restore confidence in the line. The agency estimates that the T‑Third carries 20,000 riders daily, and faster service could boost ridership further, supporting the city’s broader goals for sustainable transportation.
Looking ahead, Lee says the team will continue monitoring performance data and adjusting signal timing where needed. “I hope people believe in us,” he said, emphasizing the importance of community trust in public‑transport projects.
Personal motivation
Lee’s passion for transit stems from childhood trips to Taiwan, where he was surprised to learn that many children did not ride public transportation for fun. Inspired by the fictional city planner from the sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” he pursued engineering after his mother encouraged a practical career path.
Since joining SFMTA in 2023, Lee has described his role as a dream job, especially when he can take his father on a ride to the Chase Center Station and experience the line’s progress firsthand.
As the final phase of the T‑Third improvement project rolls out this winter, Bayview commuters can look forward to a faster, more reliable ride—an outcome that reflects both innovative engineering and a commitment to serving San Francisco’s neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
