The head of the MTA has urged parents to take action against the dangerous trend of subway surfing, as it has been revealed that children are attempting risky “Spider-Man” stunts and acrobatics on top of trains.
According to NYPD data, six people have tragically died from subway surfing, and related arrests have risen to 181 this year from 118 in 2023.
During a press briefing on Monday, MTA CEO Janno Leiber emphasized that the agency is actively addressing the issue and called on parents to take responsibility for preventing their children from engaging in such activities.
“We beg the parents, beg them, to take control of what’s going on, to make sure the kids don’t engage in this,” he said.
The MTA has implemented initiatives to combat subway surfing, such as student-led announcements urging passengers to “ride inside” to “stay alive.”
Despite these efforts, officials are still grappling with finding long-term solutions as the problem persists.
The MTA has been urging social media companies to remove subway surfing videos, as their viral nature contributes to the trend’s popularity. However, there is no concrete data on how many clips have been taken down.
Lieber also pointed out that repeat offenders play a role in perpetuating the issue, citing an incident where a man in his twenties took a 13-year-old on a “subway surfing outing.”
During an oversight hearing, Transit Bureau Chief Joseph Gulotta revealed that kids are not only standing on top of moving trains but also performing dangerous acrobatics.
Surveillance teams, using drones, have been ramping up enforcement to monitor stations where subway surfing is common.
Gulotta mentioned that offenders often seek scenic backdrops to make their content go viral, with the 7 train in Queens being a hotspot for such activities.
Norma Nazario, whose son died while subway surfing, criticized the MTA for not implementing adequate safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers stressed the need for structural solutions to address the issue.
Lieber mentioned that he could not discuss specific structural solutions due to pending litigation.
Another MTA official, Franck Joseph, highlighted the complexity of finding solutions for the vast fleet of trains running through NYC.
The hearing followed a series of tragic subway surfing-related deaths, including incidents where teenagers fell from moving trains in Queens.
Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to address the issue and prevent further tragedies related to subway surfing.
