San Francisco Train Driver Falls Asleep, Train Misses Stops and Speeds at 50 MPH

By News Desk, YEET Magazine
Published November 13, 2025

San Francisco Light-Rail Operator Removed After Dozing Off, Train Blasts Through Stops at ~50 mph

A shocking incident in downtown San Francisco has raised serious concerns over transit safety after a light-rail train raced through stops and jolted passengers while its operator appeared to slump off at the controls. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has confirmed the driver was placed on non-driving status, after ruling the cause as “operator fatigue.” People.com+2San Francisco Chronicle+2

What happened

On the morning of September 24 2025 at about 8:37 a.m., a two-car light-rail vehicle on the N-Judah line was travelling inbound when it exited the Sunset Tunnel near Duboce Park. Video footage shows the driver appearing to slump forward, and then the train, instead of slowing for the curve and stop, accelerated to about 50 mph — far higher than typical speeds for that section. ABC News+2ABC7 San Francisco+2

Passengers described the motion as terrifying. Many were thrown off their feet, slid across seats, or slammed against walls as the train careened through the curve and skipped a scheduled stop at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street. One passenger was later treated for a concussion after hitting her head. People.com+1

Investigation findings

Following the event, the SFMTA inspected the train’s braking system, track infrastructure, and other mechanical elements. They found no mechanical failures or track problems. Instead, the investigation concluded the incident was caused by “operator fatigue.” The driver has been placed on non-driving status as the agency follows internal protocols. ABC7 San Francisco+1

In a public statement, SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum acknowledged the seriousness of the incident: “We know this was a frightening experience for our riders, and we take that very seriously. Safety is always our top priority.” People.com+1

Why it matters

• Light-rail passenger transit is expected to be safe, especially in urban space where speeds should be moderate. For a train to travel at 50 mph in a curve through a tunnel is abnormal and dangerous. ABC News+1
• Operator fatigue is a human-factor risk that can undermine otherwise well-maintained systems. This case shows that even with no mechanical fault, human alertness is critical.
• The incident undermines rider confidence and raises questions about scheduling, monitoring of operators, and fatigue-management protocols at transit agencies.

What’s next

The SFMTA is reportedly working with the vehicle manufacturer Siemens Mobility on software updates that would limit speeds in specific high-risk sections of track, to add a safety layer if human oversight fails. ABC7 San Francisco

Passengers who were on the train are being contacted for follow-up; SFMTA says it will review operator scheduling, fatigue-management policies and ride-monitoring systems. The driver will remain off-duty for the time being.

Bottom line

A routine morning commute turned into a frightening ordeal for many San Francisco light-rail passengers when their train sped through curves and past stops while its driver appeared to fall asleep. While no derailment or collision occurred, the incident highlights how human fatigue can trigger near-misses in public transit. Transit agencies will need to look carefully at how they prevent such scenarios going forward.

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