I wonder if this decision contributed to San Francisco's population declining year after year from 1950 until 1980, before growing again. SF's population today

I wonder if this decision contributed to San Francisco's population declining year after year from 1950 until 1980, before growing again. SF's population today is only about 12% larger than it was in 1950. Basically, SF has looked the same from a traffic standpoint for the past 70+ years, which is pretty astounding. Reading the article, it mentions that "traffic control" for buses was one of the reasons pushed for why a subway wasn't needed. Interesting! As someone who lived and worked and rode the bus in SF for a total of six years, I'd just like to know what happened to that plan?? Buses should never have to stop for traffic, in my opinion.