SFMTA board approves five-year extension for Friends of Cable Car Museum agreement

In the heart of San Francisco, city officials gathered to discuss the future of the beloved Cable Car Museum, a cherished landmark that has faced challenges in recent years. The meeting, held on July 4, 2025, highlighted the museum's ongoing partnership with the Friends of the Cable Car Museum and the necessity of extending their management agreement.

The museum, which had been temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in August 2021. However, the impact of the pandemic was evident, as visitor attendance remained low, leading to a significant drop in revenue. For the fiscal year ending March 2021, the museum reported a net income loss of $197,000, with an additional loss of $78,000 in the first half of 2021.

In response to these challenges, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) sought approval for a five-year extension of the management agreement with the Friends of the Cable Car Museum, retroactively beginning in July 2019. This extension includes waiving the annual concession fee for the fiscal year 2021, a move aimed at supporting the museum during its recovery phase.

During the meeting, city officials expressed their gratitude for the Friends' role in operating the museum, which includes providing tours and managing the gift shop. The relationship has been stable since the Friends took over management in 2009, and there have been no other operators since then. Questions arose regarding the lack of a bidding process for the contract, but officials reassured attendees that the partnership has been beneficial and transparent.

Public comments reflected a mix of support and concern. One speaker noted the importance of avoiding lengthy retroactive approvals in the future, suggesting that the SFMTA should provide clarity on any other similar agreements that might be pending.

As the meeting concluded, the board members voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the full board with a positive recommendation, ensuring that the Cable Car Museum can continue to serve as a vital part of San Francisco's cultural landscape. The future of the museum now rests in the hands of the broader board, with hopes that it will thrive once again in the coming years.