SF Subway Adapts After Tunnel Incident
Car enters SF Central Subway tunnel at Bryant Portal, halting T Third service
Car Enters Subway Tunnel, Halts SF Service
San Francisco's Central Subway shut down completely Friday after a car entered the tunnel at Bryant Portal, transit officials said. T Third line service between Chinatown Station and Brannan Street stopped immediately, forcing thousands of riders to find alternate routes. Officials haven't said how the vehicle got into the tunnel or when service might resume.
Background
The Central Subway opened in January 2022 after decades of planning and construction, representing a major infrastructure investment for the city. The 1.7-mile tunnel system connects four stations through downtown San Francisco, according to transit agency records. Transit tunnel systems typically have multiple safety barriers and access controls to prevent unauthorized vehicle entry, making this incident particularly unusual. The extent of any damage to tunnel infrastructure is under assessment.
Service Impact
The agency suspended all Central Subway operations between Chinatown Station and Brannan Street, officials said. Transit authorities directed affected passengers to use bus routes 30 and 45 as substitute service during the disruption. T Third trains continue running between Brannan Street and Sunnydale on the southern portion of the line. Officials didn't provide ridership figures for the affected segment or say how many passengers the disruption impacts.
Timeline
The incident occurred November 29, but transit officials haven't provided an estimated timeline for when Central Subway service will resume. Information about the driver hasn't been released, and it's unclear whether law enforcement is investigating the incident. Transit officials haven't reported any injuries related to the incident.
Rider Information
Passengers who typically use the Central Subway for travel between Chinatown and downtown should expect significant delays and plan for additional travel time. The disruption particularly affects commuters traveling to and from Chinatown and the downtown core during what's normally a busy corridor. Moovit provides real-time updates for T Third service and alternative bus routes during the disruption.
