San Francisco Muni Train Collision Attributed to Operator Fatigue

On the morning of July 31, two empty Muni light-rail trains collided near 47th Avenue and Wawona Street, just north of the San Francisco Zoo. Onboard camera footage shows the operator nodding off, waking seconds before the train strikes the rear of the train ahead, shattering the front windshield. The impact occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m.; no passengers were aboard either train and no injuries were reported. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) says its initial investigation ruled out equipment failure or infrastructure problems and identified operator fatigue as the primary cause. The investigation remains ongoing in coordination with the California Public Utilities Commission.

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This is the second documented instance in less than a year of a Muni operator appearing to fall asleep while controlling a train. In September, video captured a driver dozing as a train accelerated to 50 mph, jolting the operator awake and throwing commuters forward. The SFMTA subsequently launched a fatigue-awareness education campaign. A separate 2025 incident involved a female operator who was also recorded sleeping, leading to a crash that officials later attributed to fatigue.

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The agency has placed the involved operator on non-driving status, increased random video reviews of operator performance, and allocated additional rest time on all operator shifts to proactively address fatigue. The agency continues its investigation alongside the California Public Utilities Commission.

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Riders expressed concern about the safety of tight shift schedules, and local officials called the crash “unacceptable.” Community members urged both drivers and the agency to prioritize rest and health to prevent future incidents.

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• “It definitely concerns me as a rider,” — Muni

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• “I really hope the bus drivers are taking care of themselves and but also that SFMTA is taking care of their employees,” — San Francisco

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• “I understand this is concerning for people in the neighborhood… but at the same time this was a limited incident,” — Supervisor Alan Wong

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