August 27th 2024.
There's a new social media trend that's causing quite a stir and has authorities worried about the safety of teenagers on Sydney trains. It's called "ridgy popping" and it involves young people gaining access to the crew compartment of old K-set model trains and then filming themselves as they hang off the back while the train is in motion. This dangerous behavior has caught the attention of rail authorities, but unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a surefire way to put a stop to it.
The trend seems to be limited to certain train lines, particularly the T8 Macarthur Line, as most of the old K-set models have been taken out of commission. One alarming video on TikTok shows two girls hanging off the back of a train between Revesby and MacArthur stations, seemingly on their way to school. This type of behavior is extremely concerning as it has the potential to cause serious harm or even fatalities. Revesby Councillor David Walsh expressed his concern, stating that one wrong move could have dire consequences for these young thrill-seekers.
While most of these teenagers may be responsible, there are a few who are not and their reckless actions need to be addressed. As Councillor Walsh puts it, "that behavior just needs to be cracked down on - you can't allow that." This sentiment is echoed by many who are worried about the safety of both the teenagers and other passengers on the train.
The fact that these teenagers are able to access the crew compartment without any tools is alarming and exposes a serious safety flaw in the old fleet. This was made evident when a teenage boy was injured between St Peters and Redfern last Friday and had to be taken to the hospital with multiple injuries. Commuter Lalita Stevenson, who witnessed the incident during her peak-hour commute, described the loud bang that she heard and how amazed she was that these young kids had the audacity to hang off the back of a moving train.
According to Stevenson, the group of teenagers were all under the age of 15, with some as young as 8 or 9. They seemed to think that their dangerous stunt was pretty cool, with one of them forcefully opening the carriage door and their friends following suit. It's a terrifying situation for both the teenagers involved and the innocent bystanders who could potentially be harmed by their actions.
Transport for NSW is well aware of this issue and has taken some measures to try and prevent it. However, with limited staff, it's difficult to monitor every service and prevent these incidents from happening. They have reinforced the carriage doors in an attempt to deter the trend, but as this is also an emergency exit, it cannot be completely sealed off. It's a concerning situation and one that needs to be addressed promptly to ensure the safety of everyone on board the trains.
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