Curtis Green, 78; Driver Rose to Head Transit System in San Francisco
Curtis E. Green, 78, the onetime head of San Francisco’s Municipal Railway and the first African American to head a major U.S. transit system, died Saturday in San Francisco after a lengthy illness.
Born in Franklin, La., Green served in the Marine Corps during World War II and joined the San Francisco Municipal Railway as a bus driver in 1945.
After 20 years as a driver, Green began a management career. He served as transit safety inspector, director of personnel and safety, and deputy general manager.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at San Francisco State College and was named general manager of the Municipal Railway in 1974.
The system, commonly known as Muni, increased its ridership steadily during Green’s tenure. He retired in 1982.
In 1987, the Municipal Railway’s principal rail base was named in his honor.
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