A chilling incident unfolded on a San Francisco Muni train in September, revealing a terrifying lapse in control and leaving passengers fearing for their lives.
The two-car train, accelerating with alarming speed, plunged into a tunnel and emerged hurtling towards a sharp curve at a staggering 50 miles per hour. Passengers described a scene of chaos as the train barreled forward.
The sudden acceleration threw riders from their seats, sending them crashing into each other and against the train’s interior. One passenger recounted being pinned beneath others as the train careened around the first bend.
Initial reports pointed to “operator fatigue” as a contributing factor, but the operator themselves claimed a mechanical failure. A video surfaced showing the driver’s frantic attempts to regain control, repeatedly pleading with passengers to “relax” despite the terrifying situation.
“It definitely seemed like for at least five seconds, maybe longer, the train was just flying,” one passenger recalled, capturing the sheer panic of the moment. The train raced past a scheduled stop before finally shuddering to a halt.
Paramedics were dispatched to the scene to treat those injured in the abrupt and violent ride. Passengers expressed deep concern and demanded accountability from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
The SFMTA responded by placing the operator on non-driving status while conducting an internal investigation. Agency officials insisted that a thorough inspection of the train, tracks, and infrastructure revealed no mechanical faults.
Despite assurances of safety, the incident has ignited a wave of anxiety among commuters, who now question the reliability of the city’s public transportation system and demand concrete steps to prevent a recurrence.
A statement from the SFMTA Director of Transportation emphasized the agency’s commitment to safety and accountability, promising to take “all necessary steps” to ensure the well-being of riders. However, for those who experienced the harrowing ride, the words offer little comfort.
