Catch Them If You Can, Man: SFMTA Rolls Out Grateful Dead-Inspired Muni Buses

All aboard the “Trippy Train.”

Beginning Tuesday, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency is rolling out three Grateful Dead-inspired Muni vehicles, wrapped in fluorescent florals and psychedelic-inspired graphics, ready to transport riders back to the Summer of Love.

“There’s no better place to celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead than right here in San Francisco, and now that legacy is rolling through our neighborhoods literally,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

San Franciscans riding the 5 Fulton, 7 Haight/Noriega or N Judah routes might get lucky enough to take a long, strange trip on one of the ‘60s-inspired, tie-dye vehicles now through the end of the Dead & Company’s highly-anticipated run of outdoor concerts at Golden Gate Park’s Polo Fields Aug. 1–3.

The two “Psychedeli-Buses” and the “Trippy” Metro Train will be a part of the fleets on those standard routes for the next three weeks, and a few of the dozens of vehicles Muni plans to run to and from the shows, which are expected to draw tens of thousands to the city per night.

Most Muni wrap campaigns are targeted advertising — Kraft Heinz ran a more-than-$300,000 campaign in 2022 to cover 30 buses in Lunchable-inspired stacks of crackers, ham and cheese, according to a report by the San Francisco Examiner.

Muni is financing these Grateful Dead vehicles from the agency’s own marketing budget. SFMTA did not respond to questions about how much the three-bus campaign will cost, which comes as Muni is in a tight position financially. The transit agency is currently projecting annual deficits above $300 million beginning in 2026, fueled by low post-pandemic ridership and decreased funding sources, as it makes cuts to staff and services.

The funky additions to the fleet may be a part of a push to reach younger residents, a strategy that has included the launch of merchandise with its iconic worm logo earlier this year and partnering with the SF City FC soccer club on a new line of jerseys with the signature emblem across the chest. A special tie-dye Muni shirt is available in honor of the wrapped buses and shows.

Lurie said the concerts — and multitude of city events built up around them — are bringing visitors, and Muni riders, to the city, boosting the city’s economy and tourism industry.

“This is not just about the music,” he said. “These events are going to generate major economic revenue for the city of San Francisco … Hotel demand for Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, Aug. 3rd, is up an average of 53%, tourism industry leaders are reporting bookings from fans across the country and the world and small business owners right here on Haight say their sales have already seen a noticeable increase in foot traffic.”

With their limited run, a ride on the hippie bus may be as coveted as concert passes themselves. With three-day tickets starting at $635, VIP passes to the festival — which will also feature special guests Sturgill Simpson, Billy Strings and the Trey Anastasio Band — are listed for as much as $10,000 apiece on the resale site StubHub.