Silence may soon be golden for some San Francisco residents. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city’s attorney has been asked by the president of the board of supervisors to create new tour bus regulations, which would restrict loudspeakers used by tour guides to tell riders of sightseeing locations and would limit the time tour buses could sit idling curbside. If enacted, San Francisco would follow New York City, which passed a similar law in May. Although a final draft of the proposal is still in the works, suggestions include covering double-decker and open-air buses and increasing the fine for a bus idling more than five minutes. Currently, the fine is $100. Repeated violations could raise the fine to $500 if the law is passed. Tourism officials are hoping the proposals do not interfere with the industry. According to the Chronicle, tourism in the City by the Bay amounts to nearly $8 billion a year. For more, visit www.sfgate.com.
