**SFMTA Attributes September Light Rail Incident to Operator Fatigue**
San Francisco, CA (KGO) – The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has concluded that operator fatigue was the cause of a hazardous incident involving a two-car N-Judah light rail train last September. During the morning rush hour, passengers aboard the inbound train were jolted as the operator appeared to fall asleep at the controls, resulting in several individuals losing their balance and falling.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:37 a.m. on September 24, as the train was exiting the Sunset Tunnel near Duboce Park. Packed with commuters heading downtown, the train was navigating a curve at more than 50 miles per hour when the sudden jolt occurred. Fortunately, the train did not derail.
Shocking video footage, released by SFMTA in response to a public records request, shows the operator seemingly asleep, with her head down and, at one point, tilted backward while the train was moving. Passengers can be seen being thrown off balance by the unexpected motion.
Immediately following the incident, the operator was placed on non-driving status pending a full investigation. The operator explained to passengers at the time, stating, “It wouldn’t stop, it wouldn’t stop. I’m sorry, relax, relax, relax. We didn’t crash, relax. We’re okay, it just wouldn’t stop, it wouldn’t stop. The emergency brake wouldn’t even hit, look it’s on.”
However, SFMTA’s thorough inspections of the train’s braking system and the track infrastructure found no mechanical faults. The brakes functioned properly, and the tracks showed no issues.
During the event, the light rail train was operating in manual mode — the SFMTA clarified that trains operate in both automated and manual modes depending on conditions.
In response to the findings, SFMTA is collaborating with Siemens, the manufacturer of the new light rail vehicles, to develop software that would limit train speeds in specific locations, enhancing safety. The agency is also reinforcing training emphasizing the critical importance of recognizing and addressing operator fatigue.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, the operator reportedly did not acknowledge fatigue afterward, telling a colleague, “That’s not on me.” The operator remains on nondriving status as the SFMTA continues to prioritize safety.
In a written statement, SFMTA’s Director of Transportation said:
“Safety is always our top priority. We are committed to accountability in response to this specific unacceptable incident and we are taking all necessary steps to keep Muni safe and reliable for all riders and the public.”
Out of respect for personnel privacy, the SFMTA has not released the operator’s name. Investigative reporter Melanie Woodrow reached out to the union representing Muni operators but has not received a response at this time.
— The-CNN-Wire™ & ©
https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/sf-muni-operator-appears-to-fall-asleep-while-speeding-50-mph-through-curve-jolting-passengers/