NYC transit officials react to footage showing underage individuals running a subway train
In a recent incident, two teenagers took an empty subway train for a brief joyride in New York City. Contrary to some reports, this incident did not involve the boys from the TikTok video operating the train, as it is a separate incident.
The September 2024 incident saw the teenagers taking control of the subway train, with one boy sitting at the controls and honking the horn, while the other, wearing an orange safety vest and in the driver's seat, was accompanied by an employee who was seen holding a coffee cup and using a cellphone. The incident ended with a collision with another parked train car, but thankfully, no one was injured.
The New York City Transit Authority has remained silent on the details of the incident, neither confirming nor denying when or how it occurred. However, the agency's president, Demetrius Crichlow, has issued a statement, calling the actions in the video "reckless and unacceptable."
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Back in January, the department released images and video of individuals who commandeered an unoccupied train and took it for a joyride.
It is important to note that any transit worker who allows unauthorized, untrained people to operate trains faces severe consequences. This includes termination of employment and potential prosecution. Yet, the name of the transit worker shown in the video, who presumably gave the minors permission to operate the subway train, remains undisclosed.
The video has drawn criticism from New York City transit leaders, who join Crichlow in labelling the actions as "reckless and unacceptable." As the investigation continues, the public is reminded of the importance of safety and adhering to proper protocols when it comes to operating public transportation systems.
