A San Francisco Muni operator has touched the hearts of his young passengers by merging his two passions: public transit and poetry. Allen, who has been a bus operator since 2021, recently shared a poignant poem with students from Willie Brown Middle School, expressing his strong protective feelings towards them.
In a message shared with parents, Allen described the bittersweet nature of his work. “My kids are on the bus now,” he wrote, reflecting on how he wishes he could take them to the beach instead of simply driving them home.
Parents responded with gratitude and admiration, expressing their appreciation for Allen’s unique relationship with the children. Chi-En Yu, a parent at Willie Brown, commented, “I was struck by getting to hear his voice. He has really loved and cared for these students.”
The inspiration for his recent poem came from a tense moment in December when a police alert near the school caused Allen to fear for the safety of his young passengers. “The blood ran out of my entire body,” he recalled, recognizing that most of the kids he drives feel like his own. This moment of fear propelled him to share his feelings through poetry.
Upon receiving the poem, the children expressed their delight and gratitude, with some students even writing thank-you notes. One parent, Shelley Estelle, organized a group gift, a custom hoodie featuring the school’s logo in Muni’s distinctive font. Allen treasures a wooden ornament crafted by one of his students, Zane, depicting him driving the bus, which holds a special place on his mantle at home.
Zane praised Allen, stating, “I’ve certainly never seen any bus drivers like him. It was a very unique experience for everybody.”
Students further articulated their appreciation. Lydia Yu, an incoming seventh grader, signed a thank-you card for Allen, describing him as “very caring.” Her mother echoed these sentiments, commenting on how Allen embodies the idea that the city’s children are all shared responsibility.
Another mother expressed how touched she was by Allen’s actions, feeling reassured that another adult was vigilantly watching over the children, emphasizing a community spirit that often goes unnoticed.
Allen’s contributions to the community were formally recognized at a recent San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting, where he shared his poem in a setting typically focused on budget discussions and transit issues. This recognition came amidst impending service cuts to five Muni lines, affecting students’ access to safe transportation to and from school.
Speaking candidly about the repercussions of reduced transit services, Allen remarked, “Public transit uplifts community and holds people together. When we cut transit service, it doesn’t actually save money. It actually costs more to cut transit service. But who carries that cost changes.”
According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s 2025 Student Travel Tally survey, a significant portion of students rely on Muni for their daily commute. The survey shows that about a third of sixth graders use public transit to get to school, and the service remains free for those aged 18 and younger.
Reflecting on the importance of Allen’s role, Willie Brown parent Lia McLoughlin remarked, “The city isn’t kind to our little guys. To see that there’s somebody actively taking care of them, even if it’s just getting them from point A to point B safely … it’s huge.”
Beyond simple transportation, the most impactful thing Allen has done is to make students feel visible and valued. McLoughlin emphasized, “They’re not invisible. Somebody sees them for who they are.”
As the children presented him with their notes and gifts, Allen felt a profound sense of connection and validation. “I’m tearing up just talking about it,” he shared, reflecting on the mutual appreciation he feels for the young passengers he drives each day.
image source from：https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/11/sfs-most-beloved-muni-driver-is-switching-lines/
