Sick Muni Passenger Causes An Unusual San Francisco Rush Hour Ride
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Perplexed Muni riders on a train with a sick passenger Thursday found themselves on a fast, non-stop ride beneath the streets of San Francisco.
The operator of an outbound K-T train was ordered to empty out at Montgomery Station so the 2-car train could be taken, without stopping, to West Portal Station for a good cleaning after one of the passengers became ill.
"For whatever reason, the operator did not off load the passengers," said Muni spokesman Paul Rose.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
The train barreled through the tunnel at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, the doors not opening until Van Ness Station when central control finally noticed there were still commuters on board.
The riders inside wondered if there had been some kind of mechanical problem as their inadvertent express train shuttled through Powell Street and Civic Center stations. Aside from some inconvenience, nobody was hurt by the unusual ride that started at 8:09 a.m.
Rose said the operator was being questioned about why passengers were not instructed to get off the train.
Earlier this year, Muni found itself fighting off scandal after passengers videotaped a couple of incidents where trains sped along with the doors open.
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