SAN FRANCISCO -- -- San francisco's muni is looking to cut costs, including a proposed reduction in service on the 41 line that runs along Union Street.

But business owners are hoping to put the brakes on that effort, saying the changes in service will change what they describe as a village-like atmosphere in their neighborhood. Merchants have put up flyers to try to gain public support.

Muni buses make plenty of noises as they drive up and down Union Street, a busy road lined with upscale small businesses.

Merchants and residents said it will be even noisier if Muni is allowed to run the longer so-called articulated buses which are 60 feet long instead of the standard 40 feet.

"We're not Geary Street. We're not a thoroughfare. We don't have four lanes," complained Cow Hollow resident Stephen Purtill. "We don't have two lanes going in each direction. Putting that size of bus in this neighborhood is just wrong."

Residents and merchants also oppose Muni's proposal to move the end of the line for the 41 Union bus from Union Street and Presidio up to Union and Fillmore.

Muni says by eliminating service in those six blocks and running longer buses will save up to $300,000 annually. Muni says it is trying to deal with a $120-million deficit.

"A 60-foot bus or articulated bus allows us to provide more service; to get more people on the bus with still one operator," said Muni spokesman Judson True. "That means we can operate more efficiently and carry more people for the same amount of money."

Muni said it will only operate the longer buses between the hours of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. when businesses are closed.

The petition says they are too large for the street.

Jane Bertorelli, co-owner of Union Street Inn, says the longer buses will be rumbling right in front of her bed and breakfast when her guests are asleep. She and other merchants have been circulating a petition to fight the proposed changes.

"If something's there, you can't complain but to bring it in after you've already been in business for 15 years. We're enraged and we're going to fight this," said Bertorelli.

The owners of the bakery Pacific Puffs say several parking places in front of their shop will be eliminated so buses could park there.

"We want to be visible. We want people to see us and walk in," said Pacific Puffs co-owner Trent Carvolth. "It's tough if there's a bus parked in front of our store."

Merchants say they've already gathered more than 500 signatures for their petition.

The Municipal Transportation Agency board is scheduled to vote on the changes on September 1st.