Starfleet Headquarters' air tram station
An air tram station is a terminal for boarding passengers who wish to travel via air tram. One such station is located in San Francisco.
Inside the San Francisco air tram station
Admiral James T. Kirk used San Francisco's air tram station to travel to Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco in 2273, on the way to the USS Enterprise to handle the V'Ger crisis. While at the air tram station, he met Commander Sonak, who was intended to serve as science officer on the forthcoming mission. Meanwhile, a Class F shuttlecraft was also at the station, preparing for departure. There were also several Federation ambassadors at the station. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
Background information
Yuricich creating the matte painting for the air tram station
The set for the air tram station was built on Paramount Stages 12 and 14. Together with the air tram's interior, the set for the air tram station cost US$240,000. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 95) The footage of the air tram station was filmed in post-production, a month after principal photography on Star Trek: The Motion Picture had wrapped. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, p. 193)
Original interior, with Yuricich's painting intact
The on-screen depiction of the air tram station additionally involved a matte painting, as background enhancement for the live action sets, created by Matthew Yuricich. (The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, interior color photographs) Yuricich painting was in the upper right corner digitally altered by Foundation Imaging in 2001 for the Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition) DVD release. The upper wall was replaced by an additional platform, from which a Class F shuttlecraft could be seen taking off.