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Taken with Transportation

SFMTA

Welcome to Taken with Transportation, the official podcast of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).

Each episode will take you along for the ride as we profile the people and policies that make accessible, equitable transportation in San Francisco possible. These stories will cover everything from the city’s streets to the inner workings of the SFMTA and offer insight and perspectives you won’t get anywhere else. We’re passionate about the work we do and want to share that passion and commitment with you.

About the Host: Melissa Culross comes to the SFMTA from the radio industry where she spent three decades hosting broadcasts and creating content for a variety of stations, including KCBS, Star 101.3 and Alice@97.3 in the Bay Area. Melissa has been drawn to storytelling her whole life and has been a regular San Francisco public transit rider since moving to the city in the 1990s.

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20 episodes
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Avg 16 min
English

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#43
August 17 · 17 min
Muni Kids
Five years ago, the SFMTA expanded San Francisco's Free Muni for Youth program to include all young people 18 and under. Whether a child or teen lives in SF or is visiting, they can use the city’s public transit system free of charge. All they have to do is climb on board and enjoy the ride. In this episode, we cover the history of Free Muni for Youth and talk to some young people who benefit from the program. The episode also features SFMTA Revenue, Development and Reporting Director Diana Hammons, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu and City Supervisor Myrna Melgar.
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#42
July 16 · 21 min
Meet Me Downtown
Downtown San Francisco is making a comeback after a slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we discuss what’s new in the downtown area and how Muni, the city’s public transit system, is an essential part of the area’s revitalization. We also talk about Muni ridership and the SFMTA’s Fix It! Week maintenance program, which keeps the ride to downtown fast, reliable, efficient and safe. The episode features San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development Executive Director Anne Taupier, SFMTA Transit Performance and Technology Manager Simon Hochberg, SFMTA Chief Maintenance Officer Charles Drane, Into the Streets CEO and Founder Katy Birnbaum, Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Union Square Plaza Program Manager Mark Hennon and TMASF Connects Executive Director Darcy Brown.
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#41
June 17 · 12 min
On the World Stage
The FIFA World Cup 26™ has come to the Bay Area, putting San Francisco in the international spotlight. In this episode, we speak with Mayor Daniel Lurie about how the city prepared to take the world stage for the tournament. We also bring SFMTA Major Special Events Lead Tony Henderson into the conversation to discuss how Muni and other public transit systems got ready to help people get to matches in Santa Clara and watch parties in San Francisco. And we swing by an opening match watch party to chat with a few fans and get into the spirit.
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#40
May 14 · 20 min
What's Your Bike Story?
In honor of Bike Month, this episode is fueled by pedal power. We are talking to people who bike in San Francisco, including some SFMTA staff members, about their experiences on two wheels. We also discuss how biking infrastructure on our streets supports safety for everyone, including people who drive, walk and roll. And we get an update on the city's bikeshare program. This episode features Transportation Planner Christy Osorio, Assistant Engineer Jack Anninos, Contracts and Procurement Director Julie Friendlander, School Crossing Guard Eddewina Williams, Transit Priority Manager Michael Rhodes, Transit Employee Performance Program Manager Mirian Sorrell and Bikeshare and Bike Parking Program Manager Adrian Leung.
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#39
April 20 · 20 min
Going Green on San Francisco's Streets
It’s Climate Week in San Francisco! So, in this episode, we’re discussing the work the SFMTA does to give people environmentally friendly transportation options. From Muni to EV charging stations at the curb, it’s not hard to go green while getting around the city. The episode features conversations with SF Environment Executive Director Tyrone Jue, Muni Zero Emission Program Manager Bhavin Khatri and SFMTA Parking and Curb Management Planner Broderick Paolo.
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#38
March 16 · 21 min
The Women of San Francisco Transit, Yesterday and Today
Transit Employee Appreciation Day is coming up on March 18, and March is Women’s History Month. In honor of both, we’re celebrating the women of Muni, past and present. This episode introduces us to several women whose work helps people move throughout San Francisco. And we discuss how a teenager who would go on to become a famous writer and activist worked for a time as one of the city’s first female streetcar conductors. The episode features San Francisco Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum, Muni Operator Shanita Anderson, Senior Operations Managers Jasmin Charles and Leda Rozier, Transit Training Manager Omozele Biggins, retired Cable Car Grip Fannie Mae Barnes and Market Street Railway President and CEO Rick Laubscher.
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#37
February 12 · 16 min
Love Is in the Air and on Muni
You never know where you will find love, or where love will find you. It could happen anywhere, including on public transit. In this episode, we talk with two couples who found each other thanks, at least in part, to Muni. SFMTA Acting Chief Safety Officer Oliver Gajda and his partner Damara Arsanis first encountered each other on the 21 Hayes about nine years ago before connecting on a dating app in 2022. Mary Rickles Conley and Jared Conley met on the N Judah in 2012. They tell us their stories in honor of Valentine’s Day.
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#36
January 15 · 29 min
The Road to City Hall
We are commuting to work with a half a dozen San Francisco city supervisors. In this episode, we tag along with Matt Dorsey, Myrna Melgar, Danny Sauter, Stephen Sherrill, Chyanne Chen and Bilal Mahmood as they head to their City Hall offices. They discuss their daily trips and San Francisco transportation, overall.
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#35
Dec 11, 2025 · 9 min
Dashing Through the Holidays on Muni
It’s the holiday homestretch in San Francisco. All over the city, people are hopping on public transit to get to work, shopping and holiday parties. In our second Merry Days of Muni episode, we look at how Muni supports the San Francisco small businesses at this time of year…and all year long. We also hear about how the joy of the season makes its way onto our vehicles. This episode features Rize Up Bakery Founder and Head Baker Azikiwee Anderson, Golden Gate Restaurant Association Executive Director Laurie Thomas, Union Square Alliance CEO Marisa Rodriguez, Muni Operator Robert Valenzuela and Muni riders.
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#34
Nov 18, 2025 · 20 min
Holiday Traditions Wrapped in Gratitude
It’s the holiday season, and the Merry Days of Muni are underway. In this episode, agency staff discuss their holiday traditions and what they’re grateful for. We also get the low down on what’s available in the Muni Store’s Merry Days of Muni Holiday Collection. SFMTA Operator Gary Merritt, Transportation Planner Javaun Garcia, Chief Spokesperson Erica Kato, Equity Engagement Coordinator Lawrence Festin, Presidio Division Superintendent Aleta Williams, Graphic Designer Anton Belov and Public Relations Officer Sophia Sherr appear in the episode.
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#33
Sep 22, 2025 · 13 min
Hop on Board for Transit Month
September is Transit Month, and in this episode, we’re celebrating with Muni riders and fans, as well as our staff. We'll take a run with the Muni Run Club and meet the owner of a Muni-themed deli. SFMTA Transit Director Brent Jones and Muni operators Basheba Walls, Ce Lon Lam, MC Allen, Raymone Garner and William Cheng also appear in the episode.
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#32
Aug 20, 2025 · 12 min
Class Is Back in Session
Another school year has begun, and thousands of San Francisco kids and teenagers are walking, biking, carpooling and taking Muni to class. In this episode, we discuss the work we do to support education by helping students get to school. We speak with SFMTA Transit Planner Sandra Padilla, SFMTA Transportation Planner Ben Frazier, School Crossing Guard Dennis Lowry, Walk San Francisco Interim Executive Director Margaret McCarthy, as well as a city parent and various high schoolers and recent high school graduates.
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#31
Jul 28, 2025 · 15 min
Summer in the City by the Bay
Summer is in full swing, and there is no lack of things to do in San Francisco. In this episode, we get out for some summer fun and describe how you can get to your favorite events and activities on Muni. If you drive, walk or bike, we’ve got you covered with event traffic management courtesy of our parking control officers. And our accessibility team makes sure everyone can get around and enjoy the season. This episode features Transit Special Operations Manager Leslie Bienenfeld, Parking Control Officers Terry Wong and Andy Zhu, Principal Access and Mobility Planner Maddy Ruvolo, Cable Car Operator Singh Balraj Rai and some San Francisco residents and visitors enjoying everything the city has to offer.
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#30
Jun 30, 2025 · 12 min
Tip of the Cap (and Gown) to Our Dads and Grads
Between Father’s Day and graduation season, June is the month of dads and grads. So, in this special episode, we’re profiling eight of the agency’s fathers and recent graduates. We get to know Parking Control Officers Lloyd Glover, Willie Moore and Harold Laughlin, Director of Parking Enforcement and Operations Ted Graff, Muni Operator Joe Kibbles, Chief of Staff and Director of External Communications Judson True and Youth Transportation Advisory Board Members Mason Ngo and Chanel Marie Green as they tell their stories.
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#29
Jun 18, 2025 · 14 min
Transfers That Fit Our Budget
Muni service changes are coming this weekend. Beginning June 21, three bus routes will be trimmed and two others will be combined into one. The changes might be confusing, so in this episode we’ll walk you through them. We hop on board one of the affected buses and visit some of the stops and neighborhoods serviced by the other. We discuss how the adjustments were designed and the transfer options to navigate them. SFMTA Chief Planning and Implementation Officer Sean Kennedy and Transit Director Brent Jones appear in the episode. You can find information on these and other changes we’re making to Muni service at SFMTA.com/ServiceChanges.
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#28
May 9, 2025 · 10 min
Moms Who Keep Us Moving
It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and we are honoring moms by showcasing some of the fabulous mothers of the SFMTA. We have scores of moms on staff who keep San Francisco and the agency moving. This special episode features seven of them. Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum, Deputy Chief of Staff Kamini Lall, Parking Control Officers Lachanee Ricard and Kynattah Hill, Multimodal Planning Manager Jean Long and Muni Operators Juliann Robinson and Shawnta Bolanos join us to talk about their work, their children and what Mother’s Day means to them.
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#27
Apr 30, 2025 · 20 min
Curb Space
It’s no secret that it can be difficult to park in San Francisco. But have you ever wondered why it may be so hard? In this episode, we discuss curb management and find out why available parking spaces seem to be so scarce in some SF neighborhoods. We hit the streets to see how curb management works and promotes safety. And we get tips on how to find parking with a minimum of frustration and how to use our new, more accessible parking meters and pay stations. SFMTA Parking and Curb Management Policy Manager Hank Willson, Transportation Planner Shayda Rager, Senior Planner Brian Manford, Parking Meter Program Manager Tony Massetti and Parking Enforcement Supervisor Lisa Rodriguez all appear in the episode.
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#26
Mar 14, 2025 · 17 min
For the Love of Muni
There are many things that make San Francisco … well, San Francisco. The hills, the cool summers, the architecture. And you can add to that list, our public transit system. From buses to light rail lines to our iconic cable cars, residents and visitors alike love the San Francisco Municipal Railway, also known as Muni. This episode explores the depth of that love for Muni. We talk with riders about what they love about it. We learn a little history from SFMTA Transportation Planner and Project Manager Paul Bignardi. And we discuss the state of the system today with Acting Transit Director Brent Jones and Muni merchandise with Marketing Manager Jeanne Brophy. Plus, we chat about playing the online game that celebrates Muni.
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#25
Feb 6, 2025 · 14 min
Our Fare Share
Thousands of people in San Francisco depend on Muni to get where they need to go. And the SFMTA depends on fare revenue to keep the system running and to keep it clean, safe and accessible. In this episode, we talk about fare compliance and enforcement on Muni. Revenue Operations Senior Manager Diana Hammons and Chief Strategy Officer Jonathan Rewers discuss why fares are important and how they fit into our overall budget. We then follow a team of transit fare inspectors as they work to make sure our riders are paying properly.
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#24
Jan 2, 2025 · 15 min
Thank You, Jeff Tumlin
It’s a new year, and in our first episode of 2025, we take a look at the tenure of San Francisco Director of Transportation Jeff Tumlin. Director Tumlin announced in mid-December that he would step down from his position at the end of the month. We spend this episode speaking with him about his five years with the SFMTA and with other agency staffers about working with him.
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