Chinatown-Rose Pak station
For more than two and a half decades, Chinatown CDC has advocated for the Central Subway, which extends the Third Street Light Rail into the heart of Chinatown. The transit equity advocacy effort was led by a community coalition included Rose Pak, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown TRIP, and the Community Tenants Association. The project is the second phase of the Third Street Light Rail Project. The Chinatown-Rose Pak station (on the corner of Stockton and Washington Street) opened November 19, 2022 and began full service on January 7, 2023.
The project promotes transit justice by providing reliable, efficient, and safe transit for those who live in Chinatown and those who want to visit Chinatown.
The Central Subway:
- Connects the city’s civic, business, and cultural centers with the diverse communities along the new line.
- Provides transit connections in a corridor where the majority of residents do not have a vehicle.
- Provides direct connections to Caltrain, BART, regional buses, cable cars, and other Muni lines.
- Reduces passenger overcrowding on public transportation along the lines through the use of high capacity light rail vehicles.
- Reduces traffic congestion and pollution.
- Improves travel times for both transit riders and motorists.
The project promotes transit justice by providing reliable, efficient, and safe transit for those who live in Chinatown and those who want to visit Chinatown.
The Central Subway:
- Connects the city’s civic, business, and cultural centers with the diverse communities along the new line.
- Provides transit connections in a corridor where the majority of residents do not have a vehicle.
- Provides direct connections to Caltrain, BART, regional buses, cable cars, and other Muni lines.
- Reduces passenger overcrowding on public transportation along the lines through the use of high capacity light rail vehicles.
- Reduces traffic congestion and pollution.
- Improves travel times for both transit riders and motorists.
2007: With over 15,000 San Francisco petition signatures collected in two short weeks, the people have spoken to support the Central Subway in Chinatown. Pictured left to right: Former Executive Director Rev. Norman Fong, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Founding Executive Director Gordon Chin, and San Francisco County Transportation Authority Executive Director Jose Luis Moscovich.
2008: Central Subway community workshop.
2008: Central Subway community workshop.
2008: Central Subway public meeting (Photo courtesy of SFMTA).
2010: Groundbreaking Celebration for the Central Subway.
2011: Central Subway press conference.
2012: One Hundred Years: History of the Chinese in America by James Leong, enlargement as a temporary installation at the Central Subway construction site.
2012: Central Subway press conference.
2013: Chinatown TRIP meeting.
2017: Central Subway construction site.
2021: Central Subway rendering by landscape architects RHAA.com.
2022: The Central Subway project is nearing completion. Pictured left to right: Executive Director Malcolm Yeung, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, SF Mayor London Breed, SF Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Rudy Gonzalez and SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin.
2022: The Chinatown-Rose Pak station opened for service on November 19, 2022. Full service began on January 7, 2023.
2022: Passengers view Yumei Hou's Yangge: Dance of the Bride installation inside the Chinatown-Rose Pak station.
City Officials, Chinatown Leaders Show Off Station Ahead of Long-Awaited Subway Opening.
Read Now (The San Francisco Standard)
Crowds greet delayed opening of S.F.’s Central Subway to Chinatown.
Read Now (SF Chronicle)
S.F.’s new Central Subway, BART extensions open up possibilities for all in Bay Area.
Read Now (SF Chronicle)
'This is big': What it's like to ride SF Muni's new Central Subway; Unofficial opening this weekend
Read Now (ABC 7)
Central Subway Opens to Fanfare As Trains Depart for Historic First Ride.
Read Now (The San Francisco Standard)
First passengers crowd onto Central Subway trains in major Muni milestone.
Read Now (SFBay.ca)
Central Subway opens with art worthy of S.F.'s dramatic, transient beauty.
Read Now (SF Examiner)
Central Subway Opening Marks a Milestone for San Francisco and Chinatown.
Read Now (KQED)
Read Now (The San Francisco Standard)
Crowds greet delayed opening of S.F.’s Central Subway to Chinatown.
Read Now (SF Chronicle)
S.F.’s new Central Subway, BART extensions open up possibilities for all in Bay Area.
Read Now (SF Chronicle)
'This is big': What it's like to ride SF Muni's new Central Subway; Unofficial opening this weekend
Read Now (ABC 7)
Central Subway Opens to Fanfare As Trains Depart for Historic First Ride.
Read Now (The San Francisco Standard)
First passengers crowd onto Central Subway trains in major Muni milestone.
Read Now (SFBay.ca)
Central Subway opens with art worthy of S.F.'s dramatic, transient beauty.
Read Now (SF Examiner)
Central Subway Opening Marks a Milestone for San Francisco and Chinatown.
Read Now (KQED)