SFMTA Announces the Winners of the 55th Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which manages all transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), today announced that Byron Cobb was declared World Champion of the 55th Muni Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest, held today in Union Square. This year marks the 8th win for defending champion Byron Cobb.

The Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition is a unique tradition that celebrates a world-famous attraction – no visit to the city is complete without climbing our famous hills on a cable car. The cable car was invented in San Francisco in 1873. They were declared a moving National Historic Landmark 55 years ago.

“We are so proud of the work our cable car operators do day in and day out”, said Tom Maguire, Interim Director of Transportation. “Their bell ringing skills are iconic to the city of San Francisco, and their expertise is appreciated by both residents and tourists alike.”

The winners in the division for cable car crew members were: First Place, Byron Cob; Second Place, Leonard Oats; and Third Place, Thomas Leal.

The Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest was presented by the SFMTA. The event was sponsored by the Cable Car Museum, San Francisco Recreation and Parks, the Hyatt, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Cirque du Soleil, McEvoy Ranch, The Westin St. Francis and the Union Square Business Improvement District.

Special thanks to our in-kind sponsors: The Cable Car Museum, Clif Bar, Cliff House, Marriott Hotel, The Exploratorium, Outerlands, The Museum of Ice Cream, Alcatraz Cruises, and Boudin Bakery.