At ceremonies Oct. 25, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors renamed the San Francisco Municipal Railway’s (Muni) Geneva Yard, home of the F Market & Wharves historic streetcar fleet, in memory of SFMTA board member and transit advocate Cameron Beach. Beach, who died in the spring, worked in public transportation for 44 years and was a member of the SFMTA board for more than four years.

The yard has housed Muni streetcars since 1900 and currently serves as the home of the F Market & Wharves Line, which operates with historic streetcars and carries more than 20,000 customers on an average weekday.

“Cameron’s passion to deliver a world-class public transportation system to San Francisco was shaped, not just by his vast transportation experience informed by decades of work, but most importantly by the riders of Muni themselves,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “His leadership and commitment to them and to our operators, maintenance workers, bicyclists, and pedestrians is reflected every day in the operations of our SFMTA. As we dedicate this yard to Cameron’s legacy, we also rededicate ourselves to providing our city with the transportation system it deserves.”

SFMTA Board Chairman Tom Nolan added: “As a daily Muni rider and native San Franciscan, Cam had an unparalleled passion for Muni, our customers, and the future of this system. His expertise and insight are greatly missed. This action is a fitting memorial to his legacy for this agency, this city, and the public transportation industry.”

As a final honor to a public transit industry veteran, Beach posthumously received APTA’s Local Distinguished Service Award at the 2011 APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO.

© 2011 SFMTA/Heather Moran Members of the SFMTA Board of Directors pose with the plaque renaming the Geneva Yard in memory of Cameron Beach. From left are Malcolm Heinicke, Chairman Tom Nolan, Vice Chairman Jerry Lee, and Cheryl Brinkman.