Floppy Disks: The Unlikely Conductors of San Francisco's Future Trains

In a city where the future meets the past at every corner, San Francisco's transit system clings to a quaint relic of the tech yesteryears by still relying on 5.25-inch floppy disks to run their trains.

Amidst the tech-savvy facade of San Francisco, a surprising revelation emerges: the city's Muni Metro light rail system is orchestrated by none other than the venerable 5.25-inch floppy disks, with plans to continue this quaint technological symphony until 2030.

Despite their antiquity, these floppy disks daily boot up the Automatic Train Control System, a critical player since 1998. However, the SFMTA is on the brink of transformation, gearing up for a monumental tech transition that promises to modernize the system by incorporating advanced technologies like fiber optic or Wi-Fi.

This shift signifies an end to the floppy disk era and heralds a new chapter of efficiency and innovation in public transportation. As San Francisco prepares to bid adieu to its dated digital companions, the city stands at a crossroads, balancing the charm of technological nostalgia against the imperative of progress. How will this transition redefine the pulse of a city renowned for its technological heartbeat?

Read the full article on Ars Technica.

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