A mechanical problem on a San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail vehicle disrupted service in the Muni Metro subway for more than five hours today, an agency spokeswoman said.
The problem was reported shortly before 2:40 p.m. at the Duboce Portal, the entrance to the subway just east of Church Street, according to Muni spokeswoman Kristen Holland.
A two-car N-Judah vehicle was traveling east when the second car’s pantograph, the poles that connect the vehicle to the overhead lines, damaged the overhead wires, Holland said.
Riders on the affected train were safely evacuated within 10 minutes after Muni personnel ensured the area was safe.
Service was disrupted between the Embarcadero and Castro stations. Bus shuttles took passengers between the two stations, and light-rail vehicles were turned around at those stations, according to Holland.
As of 7:45 p.m., power was restored and service on the K-Ingleside, T-Third and L-Taraval lines resumed in the subway.
As of 7:55 a.m., all regular service resumed when N-Judah and J-Church vehicles began entering the subway again after the overhead wires were repaired and tested at the Duboce Portal, Holland said.
