San Francisco Muni driver asleep as speeding train tosses screaming riders

Summary

• In the video, a Muni train can be seen speeding away as the operator appeared to fall asleep as it headed toward downtown San Francisco.

• Passengers screamed and fell out of their seats as the N Judah light rail reached speeds of nearly 50 mph before coming to a halt.

• SFMTA said “operator fatigue” caused the incident, leaving the driver unable to drive.

SAN FRANCISCO – SanFrancisco muni According to video footage, the light rail train was traveling at excessive speed and when the driver fell asleep, passengers shook and screamed, some falling out of their seats.

Video captures terrifying moments

Background

Video of the incident on September 24 shows the two-car N Judah light rail train heading towards downtown San Francisco around 8:37 a.m., when the driver’s head fell off and he fell asleep.

The train shakes violently from side to side as it accelerates out of the Sunset Tunnel and rounds a bend. The operator suddenly appears to wake up and begins pressing the controls before the train skips one of its scheduled stops and stops at Duboce Boulevard, just past Walter Street.

According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the train was traveling at approximately 50 miles per hour as it entered the curve; This was well above normal operating speed.

As first pointed out Published by KQED, The Muni’s average speed is 8 to 10 mph.

Video taken from inside the train shows passengers screaming wildly as the train rocks back and forth. Due to the sudden movement, some drivers slipped from their seats, while others were thrown to one side of the vehicle.

SFMTA confirmed that the train did not derail but experienced “a series of unexpected jolts” while traveling at excessive speed.

Investigation reveals operator fatigue

Go deeper

The transit agency launched an investigation and determined that the incident was caused by “operator fatigue.”

“The agency is addressing the matter in accordance with internal protocols and the applicable contract, which includes disqualifying the operator from driving,” SFMTA said in a statement. he said.

A full inspection revealed that the train’s braking system was working as designed. Additional road inspections did not reveal any mechanical or system errors, the agency said.

SFMTA: ‘Safety is always our priority’

what do they say

“We know this is a frightening experience for our drivers and we take it very seriously,” said SFMTA Transportation Director Julie Kirschbaum. “Safety is always our top priority. We are committed to accountability in response to this unacceptable incident and are taking all necessary steps to keep Muni safe and reliable for all drivers and the public.”

The agency said it was working with Siemens, the maker of Muni’s new light rail vehicles, to develop software that would limit speeds in certain locations.

Operator heard apologizing to drivers

In the video, the operator can be heard trying to calm the passengers down when he woke up and saying, “I’m sorry, it won’t stop. It won’t stop. I’m sorry.”

Muni officials maintain that the train did not malfunction and that the incident was simply due to operator fatigue.

Source

Information for this report was obtained from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and a public records request.