Melissa Culross

California, San Francisco

Public Relations Officer at SMFTA

Host at Taken with Transportation Podcast

Storyteller focused on SF transit and host of the Taken with Transportation podcast. Former @KCBSRadio reporter-anchor. Hobbyist singer. @BrownUniversity alum.

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Articles

Celebrating Climate Week Every Week of the Year

4 days ago | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

We want to make electric vehicle charging more accessible in San Francisco. So, along with SF Environment, Public Works and the Public Utilities Commission, we’re bringing charging the curb. We are starting to create a network of charging stations at parking spaces throughout the city. That’s in addition to the charging stations in our garages. This pilot program will make it more convenient for people who drive EVs to charge in San Francisco.
San Francisco State Broadcasting Students Create Muni-Focused Traffic Reports

2 weeks ago | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Muni recently became an even more important transportation option. SF State used to have a dedicated shuttle that ran between campus and Daly City BART. However, that shuttle was discontinued last year. So, students, faculty and staff who take BART now count on the 28, 28R, 57 and 58 buses to get to the Daly City station. And through the Gator Pass transit program, SF State students can use their student ID to ride public transit, including Muni.
Uninterrupted Mobile While You’re Mobile: Cellular Service Comes to Muni Metro

3 weeks ago | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Our riders regularly use mobile phones to work, check in with friends and family and get news and information no matter where they are. So now, they don’t have to worry about losing connection while they’re underground on Muni. All of this supports and improves our customer experience. Providing cell service underground also will help us generate revenue. This is another part of our partnership with BART.
The 2025 Safe Driver Awards: Honoring Our Safety Superheroes

1 month ago | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

More than 800 of our operators have met the safe driving standard for at least one year. We thank them all for their service. The Warriors donated special jerseys at the 2024 Safe Driver Awards. Superheroes drive among usOur operators keep Muni moving. They are an essential part of the agency, and they are invaluable to the San Franciscans who depend on public transit to get to work, school, medical appointments and other important destinations. And our customers recognize their dedication.
Introducing the Muni Funding Working Group

Oct 15, 2024 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Janelle Wong, Interim Executive Director of San Francisco Transit Riders We are working to secure funding for all our operations, including safe infrastructure that supports people who bike and roll. More than just MuniEven though this group is called the Muni Funding Working Group, the policy options it recommends will not only affect Muni. Our projected budget shortfalls impact the entire agency. So, any solutions will also impact the entire agency.
San Francisco and the SFMTA Celebrate Juneteenth

Jun 14, 2024 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Juneteenth is a time to celebrate culture, resilience, freedom and joy, particularly for Black Americans. With homemade pom poms in hand, dozens of agency staffers and their families took part in the San Francisco Juneteenth Parade on June 8. Plus, Mayor London Breed rode with us in a motorized cable car. Here’s what we’re saying about Juneteenth:Domenica Henderson, member of the SFMTA Board of Directors.
Career of a Lifetime: From Childhood Cable Car Rider to Cable Car Grip

May 29, 2024 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Grip Jose Macasocol with Cable Car 12 at the Cable Car Barn in Nob Hill. Some people might assume that only tourists ride cable cars, but we know that locals use them, too. In fact, the easiest way for young Jose Macasocol to get to Spring Valley Elementary School in the late 90s was by cable car. “It was more convenient because the buses were always full,” the now 33-year-old cable car operator, or grip, explained.
Paying Our “Fare” Share: Fare Compliance and Enforcement on Muni

May 10, 2024 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Tapping a Clipper card is one of the many ways to pay to ride Muni. Maybe this has happened to you: You board Muni and tap your Clipper card or pay your cash fare, but lots of other people get on without doing the same. We understand how frustrating it is to see people appear to cheat the system and ride for free. However, most people who don’t tap the Clipper card reader or pay at the fare box aren’t doing anything wrong. At the same time, fare evasion has increased over the last few years.
New State Laws Are Coming to the Streets of San Francisco

Jan 9, 2024 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

As of Jan. 1, 2024, bicyclists in California legally can cross a street on a pedestrian walk signal, instead of waiting for a traffic light. Several new state laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will have an impact on transportation in San Francisco. Some of these impacts will be more widespread and immediately felt than others, but all are expected to make San Francisco streets safer.
Temporary Parking Changes Will Support Valencia Street Businesses

Nov 20, 2023 | sfmta.com | Melissa Culross

Cars, bicycles and delivery vehicles all share space along Valencia Street. Photo credit: Shayda Haghgoo, SFMTA. Valencia Street is home to one of the city's most eclectic and culturally diverse sets of restaurants, shops, nightlife and essential services. The heavily traveled corridor attracts residents and visitors of all ages and interests who get there by walking, biking, rolling and driving.