Mayor Daniel Lurie has announced Julie Kirschbaum as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s permanent director of transportation.
Kirschbaum was appointed by former mayor London Breed as acting director Jan. 1, taking over for Jeffrey Tumlin, who left after five years of leading the SFMTA. She is the first woman to hold this position permanently.
With two decades of experience, she previously led the SFMTA’s transit division from 2018 to 2024, steering Muni through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically decreased ridership when office workers began working from home.
SFMTA’s revenues in the most recent fiscal year were 16% less than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with bus and light-rail vehicle fares, parking fees and other revenue sources all down. The agency estimates that in fiscal year 2026-27, when federal, state and regional relief funds run out, SFMTA’s budget deficit will be at least $239 million and as much as $322 million.
“She has delivered operational improvements throughout the system, including embracing the proactive, preventative maintenance practices that have helped reduce subway delays by an astonishing 70%,” the mayor’s announcement said. “She has made customer experience her North Star, elevating the experience for Muni’s 500,000 daily riders.”