The Boat Tram offers a unique way to see the sights along San Francisco’s waterfront.
It’s Transit Month in the Bay Area, and we are celebrating with one of Muni’s most popular historic streetcars: the Boat Tram. In “Ahoy!”, the latest episode of our Taken with Transportation podcast, we hop on board the Boat Tram to learn about its history, maintenance and how it brings joy to the city.
From the English seaside to San Francisco
Muni’s Boat Tram cars originally ran in the resort town of Blackpool, England. They were built in 1934, and there were 12 in the fleet. Only eight remain today, and we have three of them. “Ahoy!” begins not in Blackpool, but on Market Street and the Embarcadero during the Boat Tram’s first ride of 2024.
“I feel like I’m a tourist in my own city!” SFMTA Board of Directors Member Dominica Henderson tells Taken with Transportation Host Melissa Culross during that inaugural ride. “I think this is such a great addition to the Muni fleet. It gives people a connection to transportation and transit that I think is a little unconventional and makes it special.”
Operator David Gunter on board Boat Tram Car 233. Gunter is one of the operators who drive the Boat Tram historic streetcars.
Keeping the Boat Tram running
“Ahoy!” then takes you to our Cameron Beach Rail Yard. There, Muni Historic Fleet Superintendent Kevin Sheridan talks about the work we do to maintain the 90-year-old cars. “The technology by today’s standards is very archaic,” Sheridan explains. “So, that makes it a little bit easier to work on. But what presents a challenge is procuring parts to maintain the equipment due to its age.”
Muni Operator David Gunter drives the Boat Tram. He appreciates being one of the few people who will ever drive a streetcar like this. And he likes the open-air experience. “Basically, your top is always off,” Gunter says. “So, it allows you to enjoy the environment. It sort of relaxes you.”
A 20th century streetcar embraces 21st century communication
We also learn why the Boat Tram has its own social media account. And we discuss this streetcar’s role in celebrating public transportation. SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin, Market Street Railway President Rick Laubscher and transit advocates Chris Arvin and Kat Siegal also appear in “Ahoy!” You can find it and all the episodes of Taken with Transportation at SFMTA.com/Podcast, our YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.