# San Francisco’s Muni Metro to Eliminate Floppy Disks and Enhance Obsolete Technology
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is undertaking a substantial modernization initiative for its Muni Metro light rail network, which has historically depended on outdated technology, such as 5¼-inch floppy disks. The agency has sanctioned a $212 million contract with Hitachi Rail to revamp the Automatic Train Control System (ATCS), representing a significant advancement in updating the system for contemporary needs.
## The Floppy Disk Era: A Remnant of the 1990s
Since 1998, the Muni Metro’s ATCS has utilized 5¼-inch floppy disks to upload DOS software that manages the system’s main servers. These floppy disks, remnants from the computing era of the 1980s and 1990s, facilitate the automatic operation of trains as they enter the subway. Upon entering the subway, the trains switch to an automatic mode under the supervision of operators. Once they exit, the trains revert to manual operation on the streets of San Francisco.
The floppy disk-based system was initially intended to function for 20 to 25 years, projecting its phase-out around 2023. Although the system remains operational, concerns regarding data degradation and the difficulty of maintaining proficiency in outdated programming languages have led the SFMTA to pursue a crucial upgrade.
## The Shift Toward Modernization
Following years of planning and delays—including an 18-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the SFMTA is moving ahead with its modernization plans. On October 15, 2023, the SFMTA board approved a contract with Hitachi Rail to replace the antiquated floppy disk-based system with a more sophisticated train control system. Hitachi Rail, recognized for its role in train systems across more than 50 countries, including Japan’s bullet trains, will supply the new technology and support for a duration of 20 to 25 years.
According to Muni director Julie Kirschbaum, the new system is anticipated to be five generations ahead of the current ATCS. This upgrade will not only phase out floppy disks but will also tackle other essential issues related to the light rail’s infrastructure.
## Beyond Floppy Disks: Upgrading the Loop Cable System
While floppy disks may attract attention, they are not the only outdated technology within the Muni Metro network. The communication infrastructure of the light rail, particularly its loop cable system, is also in urgent need of enhancement. The loop cables, responsible for transmitting data between the servers and trains, are fragile and possess very limited bandwidth—less than what an old AOL dial-up modem offers, as noted by SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte.
The SFMTA intends to replace the loop cable system with a modern communication framework utilizing Wi-Fi and cellular signals to track trains. This enhancement is expected to conclude by 2028, contingent upon approval from the SFMTA’s board of supervisors.
## A $700 Million Revamp
The overall financial requirement for the Muni Metro’s modernization undertaking is anticipated to reach $700 million, which encompasses the $212 million contract with Hitachi Rail. Beyond substituting the floppy disks and loop cable system, the initiative will include upgrading onboard computers, propulsion and braking systems, local and central servers, among other components.
The SFMTA’s website provides a schedule for the project, with the subway technology replacement phase projected for 2027 or 2028. Following this, the installation phase for on-street technology will take place, aiming for the project’s completion by 2033 or 2034.
## Why the Delay?
The sluggish progress of the Muni Metro’s modernization can be ascribed to several reasons, including budgetary limitations, the intricacy of overhauling essential technology systems, and a degree of complacency. The dependency on outdated technology is not exclusive to San Francisco; other organizations and governments worldwide have also been slow to retire legacy systems. For instance, Japan only ceased using floppy disks in governmental systems in June 2024, and the German navy continues its efforts to replace 8-inch floppy disks.
## Conclusion
The SFMTA’s choice to transition away from floppy disks and upgrade its Muni Metro system represents a long-overdue action towards modernizing San Francisco’s public transportation framework. While the floppy disks symbolize the system’s obsolete technology, the broader concern lies in the overall communication and control systems, which likewise require considerable enhancements. With a $700 million investment and a timeline extending into the 2030s, the Muni Metro is poised to become a more efficient and reliable system for the city’s residents and visitors.
As the SFMTA endeavors to modernize the Muni Metro, it joins a growing compilation of organizations that are finally bidding farewell to the floppy disk and welcoming the future of transportation technology.
