Sydney: A new social media craze has raised significant concerns among Sydney rail authorities and commuters. The trend, dubbed "ridgey popping," involves teenagers breaking into the crew compartments of old K-set trains and hanging from the back of moving trains to film videos for TikTok.
"Ridgey popping" refers to the act of accessing the crew compartments of K-set model trains, which are still operational on select lines like the T8 Macarthur Line. Once inside, teenagers hang out from the moving train, creating extremely dangerous situations. This trend has already been linked to several incidents, including a recent case where a teenage boy suffered multiple injuries and had to be hospitalized at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
The K-set trains, being older models, have been found to have security flaws that allow easy access to the crew compartments without the need for tools. This exposes a significant safety risk as teenagers can bypass critical safety measures designed to protect both the crew and passengers.
Speaking to 9News Sydney, Lalita Stevenson recounted witnessing this dangerous stunt during a busy peak-hour commute. She saw younger teenagers, around the ages of 8 to 11, performing the stunt, causing a loud noise and disruption in the crowded train. The potential for severe injury in such a situation is high, given the conditions.
Transport for NSW has responded to the issue by reinforcing the carriage doors. However, these modifications cannot completely seal off access due to the necessity of having emergency exits. The organization acknowledges the problem but admits that staffing constraints make it difficult to monitor every train service effectively.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnesses such dangerous activities to report them immediately. There is a strong push for increased safety measures and public awareness campaigns to deter teenagers from participating in these hazardous stunts. This ongoing challenge highlights the need for improved safety protocols and the importance of educating young people about the serious risks associated with social media-driven trends.