On Thursday, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin announced his decision to step down from his role at the close of the year, five years after taking the helm in December 2019. His tenure has been marked by several significant improvements in the agency's operations and services. "Serving in this position has been the greatest honor of my life, and I’m extremely proud of what the SFMTA has accomplished during my tenure," Tumlin stated in a release from the SFMTA.
During Director Tumlin’s leadership, subway delays have decreased substantially, with major delays falling by 76% and shorter delays by 89% since 2019. Customer satisfaction has also hit a 20-year high, with 72% of Muni riders rating the service as excellent or good. These figures reflect a significant shift in reliability and customer perception under Tumlin's tenure. Furthermore, for those traveling by foot or bicycle, the streets of San Francisco have become markedly safer thanks to the Quick-Build Program and other traffic calming measures. Mayor London Breed acknowledged Tumlin's efforts, "Jeff has been a leader in building infrastructure, improving Muni operations, and making the hard decisions necessary for our city as we grow," according to the SFMTA statement.
His accomplishments during his tenure include implementing transformative capital projects like the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit Corridor and the Central Subway, alongside efforts to improve workplace culture, as evidenced by a nearly 50% reduction in EEO complaints between 2020 and 2024. State Senator Scott Wiener also praised Tumlin, saying via SMFTA press release, "Service is faster and more reliable due to Jeff’s focus on making Muni work, and as a result Muni rider satisfaction surveys are at historic highs," in his commendation of the departing director.
Despite these improvements, Tumlin’s tenure hasn't been without its challenges, especially financially. When adjusted for inflation, the SFMTA has grappled with significant revenue shortfalls, down by 16% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Persisting impacts from COVID-19 have shrunk parking and transit fare revenues, with additional pressures from economic uncertainty. Before departing, Tumlin collaboratively established the Muni Funding Working Group, which is dedicated to addressing the SFMTA’s fiscal challenges head-on. Acting leadership will be taken over by Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA's Director of Transit, starting January 1, 2025.
