Update on SacRT Light Rail Incident

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is informing riders that service has resumed on the Blue Line following a light rail train accident that occurred on August 22. Light rail trains began operating regular service this afternoon following final testing of the tracks this morning.

Shuttle bus service was available for passengers at stations located between Watt/I-80 and Marconi/Arcade light rail stations while the tracks were being tested.

On Thursday, August 22, a collision occurred between two SacRT light rail trains. A passenger light rail train collided with a stopped light rail train undergoing maintenance testing. The incident happened on the Blue Line in between the Roseville Road and Marconi/Arcade light rail stations. It is a standard safety practice for maintenance personnel to test trains that have been repaired on the main line with revenue service trains. This is required by the Federal Transit Administration to ensure mechanical issues have been repaired correctly prior to the train being placed back in revenue service.

There were a total of 27 people onboard, 24 on the passenger train and three on the train conducting routine maintenance testing. A total of 13 people were sent to area hospitals, 12 with minor injuries and one person with moderate injuries, all were released on Friday.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the California Public Utilities Commission and SacRT are conducting independent investigations to make a final determination.
Safety and security remains a top priority for SacRT. This is only the second time within a 32-year period that this type of accident has occurred. SacRT’s safety and security record remains one of the top in the transportation industry.