San Francisco's new transportation director leading agency through turbulent times
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photos: Courtesy of SFMTA
As the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's new director, Julie Kirschbaum is leading the agency during one of the most difficult periods in its 108-year history.
Why it matters: She's assuming the role at a critical time for the agency as it stares down a $50 million deficit that could reach $320 million by July 2026.
Driving the news: Kirschbaum in February was named permanent director after serving in the position on an interim basis following the departure of Jeffrey Tumlin in December.
- She is the first woman to hold the job as San Francisco's top transportation official and has worked at SFMTA for the past 18 years.
What she's saying: Kirschbaum spoke with Axios to discuss her main priorities as she navigates the agency's dire financial crisis. "We do have a really significant funding challenge that we need to address. Financial stability will be my highest priority for the agency," she said.
Catch up quick: The agency's financial challenges stem from the city's slow recovery from COVID-19, which led to less ridership and decreased revenue.
- The crisis is being exacerbated by the loss of state and federal pandemic aid and surging costs from high inflation.
State of play: SFMTA is in the midst of developing short and long-term solutions. They include:
- Reducing service by 4% this summer to save $15 million, with plans to bridge the remaining $35 million budget gap with other cost-cutting measures like cracking down on fare evasion, implementing hiring freezes, raising parking fees and making changes to city parking programs.
- The agency is also advocating in support of proposed state legislation that would provide struggling public transit systems with $2 billion in state funding over the next two years to address operating shortfalls while they work to find new revenue streams.
Between the lines: When asked about more potential solutions, Kirschbaum said a regional sales tax ballot measure next year could help secure an ongoing funding source — not just for SFMTA but for other struggling agencies, including BART and Caltrain, as well.
The intrigue: Unlike her predecessor, Kirschbaum does not express the same hostility toward the rise of ridehailing companies like Waymo, Lyft and Uber.
- Tumlin — a once-polarizing figure — took a hard-line approach against cars to prioritize bicyclist and pedestrian needs and largely blamed rideshare services for the agency's financial woes.
- Kirschbaum, however, is more concerned with keeping people's many options to get around open. While she's "really proud of how MUNI is running," she said she's also invested in improving conditions for everyone, including drivers.
Fun fact: As a resident of Ingleside, Kirschbaum loves the K light-rail line. Her other favorite, she added, is the 14R Mission Rapid because "it takes you to so many amazing places throughout San Francisco."
The bottom line: While Kirschbaum acknowledges the challenge SFMTA faces, she said it's also "a really exciting time" as they work toward increasing ridership to pre-pandemic levels, reaching financial stability and improving street safety with initiatives like the city's new speed cameras.
- She also hopes to look into expanding newer and "more fun" initiatives, like the on-demand shuttle service in the Bayview, after having addressed the agency's financial problems.