A San Francisco Muni train operator is under investigation after appearing to fall asleep at the controls and crashing into another train on July 31. The collision occurred around 8:30 a.m. near 47th Avenue and Wawona Street, north of the San Francisco Zoo.
The crash shattered the train's windshield, and two passengers who were on board the affected train were reported to have walked away unharmed. The operator, whose identity has not yet been released, has been removed from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
Officials with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) stated that mechanical and infrastructure issues have been ruled out. The initial determination points to operator error due to fatigue as the cause of the incident. "This type of incident is simply unacceptable," said Julie Kirschbaum, Director of Transportation for the SFMTA.
Unlike Muni Metro trains, which typically operate under an automated control system underground, L Taraval trains like the one involved in the crash rely on manual operation and deadman control switches on surface segments. This means there is no automated system to slow or stop the train if the operator loses focus.
This is the second such incident involving a Muni train in less than a year where operator fatigue was cited as the cause. On September 24 of the previous year, a North Judah light rail train crashed near East Portal tunnel after the operator reportedly fell asleep at the controls, navigating a curve at over 50 miles per hour. An SFMTA spokesperson confirmed that mechanical failure was ruled out in that case, with operator fatigue determined to be the cause.
Both accidents occurred approximately two years after the SFMTA launched the L Taraval Improvement Project, which aimed to enhance safety and accessibility for passengers.
The recent collision has intensified scrutiny on the SFMTA's work patterns and employee oversight. District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong called the crash "unacceptable to happen in our city." Commuters have also expressed concerns, with resident Jade Tu urging both the SFMTA to care for its employees and for drivers to be well-rested.
Under California Public Utilities Commission regulations, light rail operators in safety-sensitive positions are limited to 12 consecutive hours of work or 12 hours within a 16-hour period, with at least eight consecutive off-duty hours required before a shift. However, data from Transportation California indicates that 91 percent of transit operators worked overtime in 2024, with overtime often structured by adding up to four hours to a standard shift, potentially leading to 12-hour workdays.
In response to last year's incident, the SFMTA implemented regular fatigue awareness training for employees and utilizes random video reviews to monitor adherence to operational rules. The investigation into the July 31 crash is ongoing.
