NYC transit leaders respond to video of minors operating subway train
New York City Transit Leaders Condemn Video of Minors Operating Subway Train
NEW YORK (AP) — A video that appears to show minors operating an above-ground subway train while the conductor stands by has drawn the ire of New York City transit leaders, who call it “reckless and unacceptable.”
The video, which was posted to TikTok, shows one boy sitting at the controls of the train, honking the horn as the subway operator stands off to the side. The operator can be heard calmly instructing the boy to proceed, even as the train passes an empty platform during the daytime ride. Later in the video, a second boy wearing an orange safety vest is shown in the driver’s seat while the employee holds a coffee cup in one hand and taps on his cellphone with the other. Both boys appear to be in their teens.
The New York City Transit Authority did not respond to questions about when the video was taken and whether the employee had been identified.
“What appears on those videos is reckless and unacceptable,” an emailed statement from the agency’s president, Demetrius Crichlow, said, “and any transit worker who permits unauthorized, untrained people to operate trains will face consequences, including termination of employment and prosecution to the extent allowed by law.”
In a similar incident in January, the department released images and video of six individuals who allegedly commandeered an unoccupied train and took it for a joyride. Additionally, in September 2024, police reported that two teenagers took an empty subway train for a brief joyride that ended in a crash with another parked train car. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Conclusion
It is clear that allowing unauthorized individuals, especially minors, to operate subway trains is a serious safety hazard that cannot be tolerated. New York City transit leaders are taking a strong stance against such reckless behavior and are committed to holding accountable any employees who facilitate these dangerous actions. The safety of passengers and the public must always be the top priority in the operation of public transportation systems.
The Associated Press
