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Lost and Found Items on Muni

Did you lose an item on Muni?  Please call the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center or use the 311 online self-service form. Please provide as much information as possible, including the date of loss, description of the lost item— provide information that would distinguish your item from similar-looking items and, if relevant, describe the contents of your item — the letter or number of the Muni line or route, the four digit number of the vehicle (cable car numbers have one or two digits), the location, the direction of travel and the time of day. 

You will be contacted immediately by a Lost and Found employee if your item is recovered and then provided with specific instructions on where and how to pick up your item. Please note:  if 311 or a Muni operator has informed you that your item has been turned in, a Lost and Found staff member will contact you immediately once it has been received.

Did you find an item on Muni and wish to report it?  Give it to the vehicle operator or the Muni Metro station agent when it is safe to do so. All items will be forwarded to Muni Lost and Found. 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I lost an item on a Muni vehicle or in a Muni metro station. How do I report it?

A: Lost items may only be reported through the following two methods:

Online
The easiest and quickest way to do so is through the 311 online self-service portal.

By Phone
You may also call in to report your lost item to the San Francisco 311 Customer Service Center.

  • Voice within San Francisco: 311
  • Voice outside the Bay area: 415.701.2311
  • TTY: 415.701.2323

Please provide as much information as possible, including the date of loss, description of the lost item— provide information that would distinguish your item from similar-looking items and, if relevant, describe the contents of your item — the letter or number of the Muni line or route, the four digit number of the vehicle (cable car numbers have one or two digits), the location, the direction of travel and the time of day. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for us to return your item to you.

When calling in to report a lost item, please provide multiple means to contact you, for example, a phone number and either an email address or street address.

Q: I found a lost item on Muni. How do I report it?

A: Find a backpack, purse, wallet, cell phone or other lost item on Muni and wish to report it? Give the item to the vehicle operator or the Muni Metro station agent when it is safe to do so. All items will be forwarded to Muni Lost and Found.

Q: How long before I can claim a lost item?

A: Please report your item lost as soon as possible to expedite its return. In compliance with California Civil Code, items turned in to Lost and Found are held for 60 days from the date they were found.

Because of the size of our transit system and the volume of lost items, it can take several business days for items to be routed to Muni Lost and Found.

Processing time can vary based on the type of item. For critical items, such as wallets,  cell phones, keys, laptops, medication and other important items, the SFMTA will expedite the processing to ensure that it receives priority.

Q: How will I know that my item has been recovered?

A: If your item is recovered, a Muni Lost and Found employee will contact you immediately.  Notifications about picking up lost items are made by phone, email and/or postcard, depending on the contact information you provided to 311.

Q: After I am contacted about a recovered item, where do I go to claim it?

A: To pick up items that were turned in, Muni Lost and Found will contact you and provide you with specific instructions on the procedure for picking up your items.

Q: What do I need to bring to claim a recovered item?

A: Please bring a form of photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or other official ID.

Q: I can’t come to pick up my item in person. Can I send a third party?

A: Yes, but the third party must provide the following:

  • a letter from the owner containing express permission for pick-up by the third party and a description of the lost item,
  • a copy of valid photo identification from the owner, and
  • a copy of valid photo identification from the third party.

No exceptions can be made to this rule.

Please note that the SFMTA will not be responsible for your item after it has been picked up by the third party.

Q: What if I live out of the area and/or cannot pick up the item myself?

A:  Generally, it is not Muni Lost and Found’s practice to ship items. However, under certain conditions, Muni Lost and Found will mail lost items. Upon notification that your item has been physically recovered by the Muni Lost and Found Office, alternative pick-up options and additional instructions will be provided. Please note that shipping arrangements and related costs for a lost item are the sole responsibility of the customer.

Once an item has been mailed, it is no longer the responsibility of the SFMTA. Items lost in transit due to mail carrier negligence or misconduct are not the responsibility of the SFMTA.

Q: How long does SFMTA hold a found item?

A: Recovered items are held for a 60-day holding period, per state law.

Q: What happens to items that are unclaimed?

A: Items that are unclaimed or not picked up after 60 days are disposed of, recycled or donated.


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