Reiskin resigns as SFMTA's transportation director

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) yesterday announced Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin has resigned. He will continue to serve in the role until his contract expires in mid-August.

Reiskin assumed the post in July 2011. Prior to joining SFMTA, he was director of the Department of Public Works for the city and county of San Francisco.

For the past eight years, Reiskin has overseen various initiatives that helped improve transportation in the city, such as directing the increase of Muni service levels by more than 10 percent, growing Muni ridership on rapid routes, overseeing a drop in crime on the Muni system by 9.3 percent and leading a $3.5 billion capital budget program, SFMTA officials said in a press release.

"His leadership has earned him the respect of this board that holds him in high regard for his integrity and his passion to improve transportation in our city as we continue to grow and increasingly rely on sustainable modes to get around," said SFMTA Chair Malcolm Heinicke and Vice Chair Gwyneth Borden in a joint statement.

The board plans to work with the public during the search for a new transportation director to ensure the next leader will be accountable to San Francisco residents, they said.

"The board realizes that the SFMTA has not lived up to what is expected of them," Heinicke and Borden said. "The board is moving forward with laser focus on being accountable for the metrics that we have set: safety, improving reliability and performance."