A light rail train displays the sentiment that we hear from scores of our riders.
So many things make San Francisco unique and beloved, including the hills, the cool summers and the Golden Gate Bridge. You also can add our public transit system to that list. From buses to light rail lines to the iconic cable cars, residents and visitors alike love Muni.
The latest episode of our Taken with Transportation podcast celebrates that love.
Our customers embrace Muni
In “For the Love of Muni,” riders discuss what the system means to them and how they express their appreciation.
Artist Kurt Schwartzmann has created a series of transit-inspired drawings called Yellow Line. “I produced that series back in 2015 in honor of all Muni operators because they work very hard,” Schwartzmann tells Taken with Transportation Host Melissa Culross. “And they’re under appreciated.”
Jessica Godin moved to the Bay Area from Toronto several years ago. She is thrilled that, like her hometown, San Francisco has reliable public transit. “I don’t like to drive, especially downtown,” Godin says. “And I just feel really empowered when I’m able to take the subway [or] the bus anywhere that I need to go.”
The 38 Geary travels downtown during a light installation in June 2024.
Muni yesterday and today
The episode also features a history lesson from SFMTA Transportation Planner and Project Manager Paul Bignardi. He discusses how the Twin Peaks Tunnel changed the landscape of San Francisco.
“Before the tunnel was built, West Portal had nobody living out here,” Bignardi explains. “And when the tunnel was built, you could get from Castro to West Portal in seven minutes.”
That led to population growth on the west side. And the Twin Peaks Tunnel, along with other tunnels the city built, became the backbone of our transit network.
People appreciate that network today. SFMTA Acting Director of Transit Brent Jones has been with the agency for 26 years. He has seen throughout his tenure how passionate our riders are. “I think that for many people, Muni is part of their culture,” Jones says. “It’s how they start their day, and it’s how they end their day.”
SFMTA Marketing Manager Jeanne Brophy also appears in “For the Love of Muni” to discuss the popularity of the Muni Store and our branded merchandise.
You can find “For the Love of Muni” and all the episodes of Taken with Transportation at our podcast webpage (SFMTA.com/Podcast) and on our YouTube channel. We’re also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast directories.
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