P R E S S R E L E A S E

The Bus That Built Community

For 19 years, Miss Daisy has carried more than passengers, she's carried a community

San Francisco, CA —For nearly twenty years, one constant factor has been at the heart of TODCO's resident services: Miss Daisy.

Since joining the TODCO family in 2007, Miss Daisy has been far more than a bus. She has become a symbol of connection, independence, and community for hundreds of residents living in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood.

Every weekday, Miss Daisy pulled up ready to take residents where they needed and wanted to go. From grocery shopping trips and medical appointments to museums, parks, cultural events, community gatherings, and wellness outings, these rides created opportunities that many residents would otherwise miss. For seniors and individuals with limited mobility, transportation is often the difference between staying isolated at home and remaining active, healthy, and connected to the world around them.

As an affordable housing nonprofit, TODCO believes housing is only the beginning. True community is built by supporting the whole person. Across eight residential communities in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, TODCO provides programs and services that promote physical health, emotional well-being, lifelong learning, and meaningful social connection. Reliable transportation has long been one of the essential tools that makes this work possible.

To this day, the demand for Miss Daisy had continued to grow. Operating every weekday, the bus regularly reached its 24-passenger capacity with additional residents waiting for a seat. The service provided approximately 5,760 passenger trips each year, helping residents access fresh food, healthcare, recreation, and opportunities to build lasting relationships within their community.

While Miss Daisy has become a recognizable part of San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, so has the person behind the wheel.

Danny Gonzalez joined TODCO in 2024 as the driver of Miss Daisy and now looks forward to continuing that role with the new community bus. In his time with TODCO, Danny has seen firsthand how deeply the bus is woven into both the resident community and the neighborhood itself.

"Miss Daisy has its own little following," Danny says.

One of his earliest surprises came from the reactions of people throughout the city.

"When I started driving Miss Daisy, people would honk and I would think, 'Why are they honking? Am I doing something wrong?' But then I realized they were honking because they recognized the name and wanted to take a picture with the bus."

Named after the beloved film Driving Miss Daisy, the bus has become something of a local icon. Danny says the nostalgia resonates with people of all ages.

"A lot of people recognize the name because of the movie. It's nostalgic."

As TODCO prepares to retire the longtime bus, Danny admits the moment is emotional.

"Saying goodbye to Miss Daisy was like saying goodbye to a friend."

While a new bus continues the journey, the sense of community, care, and connection that Miss Daisy has represented for nearly two decades will carry on with every ride.

After nearly two decades of dedicated service, Miss Daisy has earned a well-deserved retirement. While she has faithfully carried thousands of residents over the years, age and increasing maintenance needs make it time for a new chapter.

Replacing Miss Daisy is about much more than purchasing a new vehicle. It is about preserving a vital community resource that has become woven into daily life for so many residents. A modern, accessible bus will allow TODCO to continue providing safe, dependable transportation with updated safety features, improved comfort, and greater reliability, ensuring that residents can continue exploring their city, accessing essential services, and building community for years to come.

For many, Miss Daisy has never simply been transportation. She has been a bridge to independence, friendship, and belonging. Her legacy will continue with every new journey ahead.

For more than 50 years, TODCO has been a powerful advocate for affordable housing in the South of Market neighborhood. Today, our properties are home to almost 1,200 families and friends who call SoMa their home. Our residents are a living testament to what happens when you put people first in our neighborhood.

230 4th St. San Francisco, CA 94103 todcomedia@todco.org

 (415) 697-6102 @todcogroup