Even the cable cars have their money problems

There was an interesting piece on NPR this morning. Apparently the San Francisco Municipal Railways lost $57 million on the three remaining cable car lines. The fare is going up to a whopping $3 to $5 a ride. I rode the whole system in the 1960s for 25 cents a ride! The cable cars require a two man crew - a grip man and a brakeman . The three lines (California, Powell-Mason & Hyde and Powell & Market) are not only the last true cable cars(underground cable) but also the last narrow gauge street railroads in North America(42") Portland, Oregon, Denver and LA had extensive 42" trolley lines . The last to go was the LA lines that last ran in the spring of 1962 . Shortly before abandonment, I had the pleasure of riding the LA cars all day with my very patient mother. No photos but some great memories, including my only glimpse of a Pacific Electric "Red Car" in operation.
San Francisco Municipal Railways has four different transportation systems. Besides the famous cable cars it also runs bus lines, electric busses and one of the last street car systems. I believe that only Boston, Philadelphia and New Orleans still have street cars operating. At one time San Francisco had an extensive cable car system, including one or two standard-gauge lines. WIll SF consider abandoning its emblematic cable car systems? THe city last tried to about 50 years ago ,only to face a torrent of protest from business people and locals alike.