Kirschbaum Tapped as SFMTA Director of Transportation

Mayor Daniel Lurie and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors on Feb. 18 announced that Julie Kirschbaum will lead the SFMTA as its permanent Director of Transportation. Kirschbaum has been the Acting Director of Transportation since Jan. 1, 2025.

Muni ATCS Replacement Under Way with Hitachi Rail SelTrac™ (Updated Feb. 13, 2025)

In 1998, the SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) Muni Metro was the first U.S. rail transit system to place CBTC (communications-based train control) in revenue service. Also known as TBTC (transmission-based

Jeff Roberts is now President and CEO of Savage, following the retirement of Kirk Aubry. (Savage Photograph)

People News: SFMTA, ASLRRA, Savage

Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin announces his departure from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Also, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) mourns the passing of Robert Grossman, who was inducted into the Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame last spring; and Savage announces that President and CEO Kirk Aubry is retiring. He will be succeeded by Jeff Roberts.

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, MTC, WMATA, Amtrak

KC Streetcar #814 arrives in Kansas City. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area transit agencies debut new transit maps and signs; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) budget proposal includes targeted rail service increases; and Amtrak releases its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Year-End Summary video.

MTA Metro-North Railroad will run its first-ever Holiday Lights Train on all three commuter rail lines from Nov. 29 through New Year’s. (Photo: MTA / Emily Moser)

Transit Briefs: Caltrans, NJ Transit, Metro-North, UTA, MDOT MTA

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) receives a federal grant to improve passenger rail service and freight movement in the San Joaquin Valley. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) earns a spot on the Forbes 2025 America’s Dream Employers list; MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its Holiday Lights Train; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrates 25 years of TRAX light rail service; and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches an online merchandise store.

(Courtesy of GCRTA)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, CTA, MBTA, NJT, SFMTA

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) celebrates 50 years of service. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs a new two-year agreement for expanded social service outreach; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Strategic Plan Update detailing progress on fiscal and infrastructure improvements; New Jersey Transit (NJT) lands federal grant to study transit-oriented development in Paterson; and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launches an official Muni merchandise store.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, TriMet, DART, TTC, SFMTA, 30 Cleary Avenue

Amtrak’s Borealis ridership reaches 100,000 passengers in 22 weeks. Also, TriMet expands language options on its website; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrates the groundbreaking of the new Silver Line Equipment Maintenance Facility in Plano; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announces final day to use old tickets, tokens and day passes; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) crosses a major ridership milestone; and a new model for sustainable and affordable housing at 30 Cleary Avenue in Ottawa gets the green light.

CalSTA: $1.3B for 27 Rail and Transit Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced that $1.3 billion from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (cap-and-trade) will go to 27 projects following a statewide competitive grant application process for Cycle 7, according to a Streetsblog California report.

SFMTA’s 2024 annual report, Next Stop: A Thriving San Francisco, covers its accomplishments from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024—from how people are getting around in new ways to how the transit agency is working to meet the city’s transportation needs now and in the future. (SFMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, MDOT, Metrolinx, TriMet, Phoenix Valley Metro

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) releases its 2024 annual report. Also, a new agreement between Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Department of Housing and Community Development accelerates transit-oriented development opportunities; Metrolinx adds trips to the GO rail network’s Milton Line; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) earns top credit ratings; and Phoenix (Ariz.) Valley Metro’s new fare system offers cash payment options.

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Muni Welcomes Two New Women Cable Car Grips

The Muni family is proud to introduce two of its newest cable car grips: Chanelle Smith and Annie Washington.

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