Teams across our agency work hard every day to keep San Francisco moving.
Our teams are the heart of San Francisco’s transit system. They make Muni fast, safe and reliable. They keep traffic flowing and intersections clear for countless events. They partner with local communities to ensure their feedback shapes projects across the city.
Recently, their hard work earned us Muni’s highest customer satisfaction rating in the 25-year history of our annual survey!
SFMTA teams make an impact every day of the year. But, this is a big one. We’re thrilled to celebrate our staff this Transit Employee Appreciation Day!
Hear why operators, mechanics and maintenance leaders find it so meaningful to keep San Francisco moving.
Cable Car Operator Singh Balraj Rai takes pride in keeping his passengers safe.
Moving you through the city safely
Every day, Muni operators get people to school, work and appointments. Safety is a top priority for all of them. Today, we’ll hear from two operators who have met our safe driving standard.
This standard requires an operator to drive at least 1,952 hours without any preventable incidents or collisions during the fiscal year (July – June). Last year, 178 Muni operators met the safe driving standard for at least 15 years!
Cable Car Operator Singh Balraj Rai is one of them. He is featured in the “Summer in the City by the Bay” episode of our Taken with Transportation podcast. Balraj Rai says cable operators are diligent about explaining safety protocols to riders. This helps them stay safe while enjoying the sights. “They see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Sometimes, they see the nice view, beautiful view.”
Operator Gary Merritt has also been recognized for meeting the standard. And in our “Holiday Traditions Wrapped in Gratitude” podcast episode , Merritt shares why it’s so fulfilling to drive for Muni -- especially during the holidays.
“I just like the whole aura of the city: the lights, the people, the shopping, the stores,” Merritt tells Taken with Transportation Host Melissa Culross. “I mean, just everything. The city is my home, and I’m proud to be an ambassador.”
Mechanics Jenny Keosaat sets up a brake lathe – part of her work to keep Muni moving.
Ensuring your rides are reliable
Our mechanics keep Muni vehicles in good repair so that your rides are safe and reliable.
Mechanic Jenny Keosaat works on Muni buses, inspecting everything from exterior lights and signs to air brakes. “For me, this work is like solving a puzzle,” Keosaat says. “If someone comes to me with a repair and I need to figure out what to do next, I find that really enjoyable.”
But it’s protecting our riders that makes Keosaat feel most fulfilled. “I really value safety,” Keosaat says. “So, it feels nice to be able to say that we have a coach on the road and it’s safe for everybody.”
Like Keosaat, Mechanic Jeena Villamor inspects Muni vehicles for major defects and regular maintenance. Villamor focuses on our historic streetcars. She says she loves getting to challenge herself every day by working with her hands.
“I also like doing this work because public transit is so important for people,” Villamor says. “They need to get from point A to point B. So, if these streetcars break down, then what do you have? We work hard so they don’t break down or need constant repairs.”
From left to right: Mechanic Jeena Villamor, Chief Mechanical Officer Michael Henry and Maintenance Operations Manager Austin Stenger. They spoke about their work at Muni during a recent Galileo High School career fair.
Keeping our whole fleet clean and efficient
Our maintenance leaders keep an eye on the entire Muni fleet. They manage the teams doing preventative maintenance, repairs, fueling, cleaning and more. Together, these staff make Muni an easy choice for locals, commuters and visitors alike.
Maintenance Operators Manager Austin Stenger oversees 24/7 maintenance operations for Muni’s fleet of buses. “Public transit is vital in metro areas, so I find it fulfilling to help people get around,” Stenger says. “And, as a manager, I really appreciate the opportunity to build relationships and learn what drives people.”
Michael Henry started as a mechanic at Muni and grew to become our chief mechanical officer. Henry loves that his role involves helping the next generation join the trades. At a recent high school career fair, Henry told students: “The biggest skill I learned at Muni is effective communication – that you need to listen to understand, not to create a response.”
Celebrating transit staff together
We hope you’ll join us today to celebrate the many SFMTA staff who keep the city moving. Feel free to thank them as you make your way around San Francisco!
And we encourage you to stop by our Transit Appreciation Day webpage. You can leave a virtual shout-out or share a feel-good story you've had with Muni workers.
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the heart of San Francisco transit: our teams.
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