SFMTA honors long‑time cable car operator at board meeting; director flags transit safety concerns

The board paused its business to honor a longtime Muni operator from the cable car division for decades of safe driving. Brent Jones and Fred Butler praised the operator — identified at the meeting as Oliver (aka "Ollie") — for 40+ years of service; Oliver thanked the board.

During the director's report, SFMTA staff described several safety priorities: repairs to a vulnerable subway switch that affects J and N riders, investments in the Transit Ambassador program (28 ambassadors funded in the last budget) to help de‑escalate incidents, and stronger collaboration with SFPD and the District Attorney’s Office on incidents where operators or passengers have been threatened. Staff noted the agency is tracking incidents that do not meet the threshold for an immediate criminal report and is expanding data collection tools such as the Muni feedback form and 311 to capture non‑criminal safety complaints.

No board action was required. Directors thanked staff and the recognized operators, and asked for continued updates on switch reliability and safety initiatives.