Faced with budget deficits, disputes over parking rules and grumblings about its transit service, it’s not every day that the Muni gets to celebrate some good news.

So, yesterday’s post by the U.S. News and World Report that San Francisco has the sixth best public transportation system in the country must have had more than a few people at Muni beaming proudly.

Granted, that ranking is based on a combination of transportation investment, ridership and safety criteria, and does not necessarily reflect on just Muni’s performance, the transit agency can still take some pride in its top 10 standing.

Portland, Ore., topped the list, followed by Salt Lake City, New York, Boston and Minneapolis.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com