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The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which operates the Municipal Railway (Muni), welcomes photography and videography on SFMTA vehicles and publicly-accessible property subject to the following guidelines.  All photography and videography activities should be pursued safely and with respect for all SFMTA customers and employees.  SFMTA facilities and vehicles are for the exclusive use of the SFMTA, its employees and its customers.  Any and all permission granted to photograph or take video in connection with these guidelines is subordinate to the SFMTA's obligations to its customers, employees and to the general public.

Non-commercial Photography and Videography

The general public is permitted to use personal, handheld photography and videography equipment on all Muni in-service transit vehicles and on publicly-accessible SFMTA property, including Muni stations, as long as such activities do not interfere with transit operations.

While on SFMTA property, all photographers and videographers must comply with the following restrictions:

  • Photography or videography activities cannot interfere with the safe operation of any Muni vehicle as determined by the vehicle’s Operator or other SFMTA personnel. 
  • Photography or videography activities cannot impede the safe movement of Muni customers as they board or alight from transit vehicles or make their way through Muni stations. 
  • Stairways, escalators, doors and aisles cannot be blocked by photographers and videographers at any time.
  • Photographers and videographers must fully and immediately comply with any requests, directions or instructions from SFMTA personnel related to safety concerns.
  • Large cameras, photo or video equipment or ancillary equipment such as lighting, tripods, cables, etc. are prohibited.

When using photography or videography equipment on SFMTA vehicles or property, always be aware of your surroundings, including your proximity to moving transit vehicles or the edges of Muni platforms.

All photographers and videographers are prohibited from entering, photographing, or taking video in non-public areas of the SFMTA's transit system.

Commercial Photography and Videography

From its iconic cable cars and historic streetcars to the buses that run on most major San Francisco streets, Muni vehicles often appear in commercials and films.  The San Francisco Film Commission coordinates all commercial photography and video projects in the City and works with the SFMTA when Muni vehicles are in the script.  The Film Commission can be reached as follows:

San Francisco Film Commission
City Hall, Room 473
San Francisco, CA 94102

415.554.6241 (voice) / 415.554.6503 (fax)

film@sfgov.org

Media Access to SFMTA Property and Vehicles

Members of the media with equipment such as video cameras and tripods who need access to paid areas of SFMTA property or vehicles should contact SFMTA Media Relations Manager Paul Rose at paul.rose@sfmta.com to arrange for access.

Questions about the SFMTA’s Photography and Videography Guidelines can be directed to paul.rose@sfmta.com or 415.701.4500.

Issued 12.31.2009

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