How Transit Issues Snarled San Francisco's July 4 Celebration: Reports

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — What was meant to be a dashing, rare display of fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on July 4 turned sour for more reasons than one.

Clouds and fogs set in as tens of thousands of people headed towards the Presidio to see the night sky explode with color.

As the popular park area became more congested, so did nearby streets, exacerbated by several Waymos that apparently didn't get the memo about street closures, according to an SFGate report.

Several Waymos became stuck at a roundabout near Girard Road as droves of people clogged the streets with foot traffic, according to the report.

By the time traffic cleared early Sunday morning, several Waymos had run out of battery and required towing, according to the report.

The city made coordinated efforts ahead of the expected large gathering to see fireworks over the bridge.

But a Waymo spokesperson said the company was not informed of any road closures, according to the report. Had they been, according to the report, they could have responded to traffic congestion.

But stuck Waymos weren't the only transportation problem people encountered on July 4. The city's public transportation saw"unprecedented crowds and traffic" during the holiday.

This caused significant delays, and some Muni riders headed towards Presidio may have missed the fireworks altogether. Some riders reported that trips that regularly take 30 minutes stretched to three hours, according to ABC7.

"The record volume of attendees along the waterfront will cause significant delays when the fireworks end. Consider walking or biking, taxis & rideshare," SFMTA officials said at the time. "Or, take the time & enjoy the bars/restaurants in & around the waterfront neighborhoods until traffic congestion improves."

Mayor Daniel Lurie has called the transit issues "unacceptable" in an interview with ABC7.

City officials said they will work to address these issues for future large-scale events, including the upcoming Fleet Week in October.

"I am calling a hearing to examine what worked, identify areas for improvement, and apply those lessons during Fleet Week in October," District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill told ABC7. "By reviewing our response now, we can strengthen coordination and ensure future events are well-managed and successful for all."

Read more from SFGate and ABC7.