Additional 8,000 SF city workers to go back to the office 4 days a week

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Starting Monday, an additional 8,000 San Francisco city workers will be back in the office for at least four days a week.

This is part of Mayor Daniel Lurie's mandate to get city staff back to pre-pandemic levels.

"Just to have that extra boost and foot traffic from them is going to be amazing," said Juliane Roberts-Hansen, Chao Pescao's manager.

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Chao Pescao is located near city hall and they have been counting down the days to when workers return.

"We are just restocking our bar, making sure our prepared cocktails are batched, making sure the kitchen is ready and prepared for the extra flow of business," said Roberts-Hansen.

Mayor Lurie announced this mandate back in February, sending city employees a memo letting them know that only one remote day would be allowed.

According to the city's Human Resources Department, 24,000 or 70% of city employees already work in person five or more days a week, and about 8,000 are set to follow on Monday.

More riders mean more money for these transit agencies that are facing budget deficits. BART is facing a projected $376 million deficit by 2027. Muni $320 million by 2026.

"We are ready we have seen really strong recovery in our neighborhoods and in our schools but we are still not seeing strong ridership in the downtown areas, so we have the capacity there we are ready for the customers," said Director of SFMTA Julie Kirschbaum.

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SFMTA's director said they are making strategic changes to welcome thousands back. Muni ridership recovery is 77%, 72% on weekdays and 92% on weekends.

"We will be adding trips on the 1 Express which will offer quick connections but will also help make sure we don't have too much crowding on the 1 California. We are also adding service to the 30X so that people who are coming from the Marina have a quick connection if they are coming to the financial district," said Kirschbaum.

BART says they are focused on safety and cleanliness.

"Those who are returning to the office, what they are going to find with BART is something all new. Our trains are all new, we've got new fare gates, we have more officers than ever before, they are riding on the trains, they're walking the platforms," said BART spokesperson Alicia Trost.

In the last two months, SFPD Deputy Chief Jason Sawyer said city departments have been working closely to make this return to the office a success.

"All of our traffic units will all be out. Most importantly is where they are going to be focusing not only on the schools but also the high traffic corridors where again most of our issues and most of the people and bicycles converge," said SFPD Deputy Chief Jason Sawyer.