San Francisco's E Embarcadero streetcar line opens

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) late last week announced the launch of the E Embarcadero streetcar line, also known as the "E Line."

The route provides a single-seat ride from AT&T Park and the nearby Caltrain station to Fisherman's Wharf and the northeast waterfront, SFMTA officials said in a press release.

Specially designated double-ended historic streetcars will make the same stops along the N Judah and T Third light-rail routes, but will continue along the Embarcadero roadway to join existing F Market stops to Fisherman's Wharf.

The E Line, which operates on weekends only, is a part of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's earlier pledge to increase SFMTA services by 10 percent under the "Muni Forward" plan.

"San Francisco’s Embarcadero is the epicenter of the city," Lee said in a statement. "It’s a primary corridor for scores of workers, world-class dining and entertainment, and is a fixture for visitors worldwide. So additional service that better moves people along this vital artery is not only welcomed but should be applauded."

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority allocated $19 million in half-cent sales tax revenue toward the rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of the historic streetcars, SFMTA officials said.