Video: San Francisco Muni driver appears to fall asleep, speeding through curve, jolting passengers, SFMTA confirms

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The SFMTA says operator fatigue is to blame for an incident that happened in September. Passengers were jolted and fell, when a train operator seemed to fall asleep at the controls on a two-car North Judah light rail train.

The SFMTA says that operator was immediately put on non-driving status while an investigation was conducted. That investigation is now complete.

Shocking video of a Muni operator who appears to fall asleep as the train she’s operating jolts passengers while navigating a curve at more than 50 miles per hour.

The SFMTA releasing the video from September 24 in response to a public records request.

It happened at approximately 8:37 a.m., the height of the morning rush hour commute, the train packed.

A two-car North Judah light rail train was traveling inbound toward downtown.

The shocking moments as the train was exiting the Sunset Tunnel near Duboce Park. Several passengers fell due to the sudden motion. The train did not derail.

The operator quick with an explanation..

“It wouldn’t stop, it wouldn’t stop. I’m sorry, relax, relax, relax. We didn’t crash, relax. We’re ok, it just wouldn’t stop, it wouldn’t stop. The emergency brake wouldn’t even hit, look it’s on.”

But the SFTMTA says a full inspection of the train’s braking system confirmed that it performed as designed.

Additional inspections of the trackway and related infrastructure found no mechanical or system issues.

The investigation now complete finding operator fatigue as the cause.

Earlier as passengers boarded the train, the operator with her head down. At one point while moving, her head falling back.

While SFMTA’s trains operate in both automated and manual mode, during the incident, SFMTA tells the I-Team the train was being operated in manual mode. The transportation agency says it is now working with Siemens, the manufacturer of the new light rail vehicles, on software that would limit speeds in specific locations.

Also, that it’s reinforcing existing training on the importance of watching for signs of fatigue.

Something the operator didn’t seem to acknowledge after the incident.

“That’s not on me,” she could be heard later telling a colleague.

The operator remains on nondriving status.

In a written statement, SFMTA’s Director of Transportation writes, “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.”

The SFMTA is not releasing the name of the operator due to personnel privacy. Investigative reporter Melanie Woodrow reached out to the union that represents Muni operators. She has not yet heard back.