SFMTA custodians clean a Muni station.
Our custodians play a key role helping communities across the city Go Local with Muni. This Small Business Week, we’re proud to showcase their work.
Today, SFMTA Building and Grounds Maintenance Superintendent Lisa Ising shares how custodians keep our stations clean so you can get where you need to go.
Prioritizing cleanliness around the clock
At Muni, providing a clean, welcoming environment for our passengers is a big part of our work to provide quality service.
“We have custodial shifts spanning 24 hours a day, five days a week,” Ising explains. “On Saturdays and Sundays, we have two shifts -- day and swing."
Our custodians work on every station where Muni operates – from West Portal through Embarcadero and the entire Central Subway. Their focus areas include:
- Walkways
- Platforms
- Elevators
- Escalators
- Stairwells
They also work on important spaces our operators and other staff access – like breakrooms and nearly 40 SFMTA-owned bathrooms across the city.
Making the most of every shift
Overnight, custodians are able to focus on stairwells and other popular areas.
“During the day and swing shifts we have passengers, so there can be a lot of cleaning to do to help people get around,” Ising says.
But, overnight the possibilities open up. “During our owl shift, custodians are able to do deep cleanings,” Ising says.
“That’s when they can strip the floors, and then wax and buff them,” Ising explains. “Custodians can also get everything polished, including the stainless steel.”
At night, custodians focus on detailing, like removing any stickers and graffiti. They’re also able to pay special attention to all of the different station surfaces, which vary significantly. At some stations, custodians will work on marble floors. At others, they might see terrazzo or brick.
“We’ll also do maintenance tasks like lighting repairs, because we’ve got the whole station to ourselves at that point,” Ising adds.
“Our custodians work to bring our stations back to pristine shape – and they are very clean, especially the new stations in the Central Subway.”
Crews clean the floor of a Muni station during an overnight shift.
Welcoming feedback year-round
Ising is proud of the work her team does at sites across the city. “Our custodians are more than essential – they provide us the daily comforts that we all rely on,” Ising says.
“We all want to be able to walk on clean floors and use a clean bathroom, and they make that happen.”
And in true Muni fashion, Ising’s team is always working to make improvements. That’s why she welcomes riders to call 311 with praise or feedback.
“I want the public to report any conditions,” she says. “If they show up at a Muni station and it looks nice and clean and it’s very welcoming to them, and they call 311 – we're all super grateful.”
And if they have constructive feedback? Ising says that’s just as valuable.
“We always want to make things better for our passengers.”