Get On Board for Your Driver

Get On Board for Your Driver
By Lori Phelan

Today is Transit Worker Appreciation Day, a national day of recognition to thank and celebrate the public service of transit vehicle operators and support staff who keep our cities moving. Operating any vehicle in a city like San Francisco is not easy, yet our operators strive to provide a comfortable ride while navigating large-capacity buses with precision through city streets and traffic. We recently celebrated hundreds of Muni Operators with years –even decades-- of “safe driver” experience, having had no avoidable collisions. We also celebrate the hundreds of mechanics, car cleaners, and other critical personnel who keep vehicles safe and operational.

Muni’s transit operators and support teams have been on the job in San Francisco throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential service at a time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty. In addition to keeping our Muni Core Service Plan rolling during shelter-in-place, many of our Cable Car and rail operators have served as ambassadors while rail service was suspended, distributing masks, assisting customers while waiting for Muni and keeping the public informed about how to get to where they want to go.

In addition to our 2,500 Muni operators, there are nearly 3,000 taxi and 100 paratransit drivers in San Francisco, all of whom have had to manage the unique constraints the pandemic has imposed. This workforce has proven more than equal to the challenge of the past year.

If you’d like to get on board with supporting an operator or other worker who made your day just a little bit brighter this past year, please consider participating in Transit Worker Appreciation Day and saying thank you by:

• Posting thank you messages, photos or videos to social media with the hashtag #TWAD (Transit Worker Appreciation Day) or #ILoveMyMuniDriver.
• Submitting an official commendation online through Muni Feedback -- provide details about your experience so that we can identify the employee and ensure that they receive kudos.
• Giving a thumbs-up on MuniMobile app's RateMyRide.

And remember, a simple smile or thank you works any day – for which there are 365 opportunities each year.

Published March 18, 2021 at 02:10PM
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