‘Death sentence’: new dangerous social media transport trend

A ‘pathetic’ new social media stunt known as ‘bus popping’ has seen clips shared of young people performing surfing-like acts on moving buses.

A dangerous new public ­transport trend has been coined on social media, with multiple clips of the “pathetic” bus-surfing act shared online and condemned by authorities.

The videos show groups of young people on NSW buses, opening and climbing out of the emergency hatch on the roof of the vehicle while it’s still in motion – with the act recently referred to on ­Instagram as “bus popping”.

The latest video, posted to Instagram on Sunday and ­captioned “death sentence”, shows two hooded men sitting on top of a bus on the northern beaches, waiting at a set of traffic lights at Belgrave St, Manly.

In a separate clip, three young men can be seen atop another Northern Beaches line bus at Manly Wharf, laughing and videoing the deadly joy ride with their mobile phones.

In a third video, two young men were recorded by ­horrified commuters as they rode on the roof of a 461x route bus to ­Burwood  last month.

While some social media users applauded the reckless thrill-seekers – posting comments including “sick bus pops lad”, “that’s pretty sick tbh” and “that’s why I love Manly” – others slammed the ­“pathetic” acts.

A dangerous new transport trend - dubbed "bus popping", has been coined on social media, with multiple clips of the "pathetic" act shared online. Picture: @sydneynameandshame Instagram.

Locals have called for the parents of these young daredevils to reinforce messages of safety and punish their children for causing havoc on the public transport network. Picture: @creaturesofmanly Instagram.

“Sad and pathetic entertainment at the expense of others. Poor form and a lot of immaturity at play,” user Tracey Cullum commented on the clip.

“What a bunch of tools.”

“If something happens to them, they will blame the driver. This generation is a failure,” and “more proof why women live longer”, were also written by social media users in the comments below the videos.

Three young men can be seen in one of the clips atop a Northern Beaches line bi-articulated bus at Manly Wharf, smiling, laughing and videoing the deadly joy – ride with their mobile phones. Picture: @creaturesofmanly Instagram.

Others called for the parents of these young daredevils to reinforce messages of safety and punish their children for causing havoc on the public transport network.

“Northern Beaches ball-less juveniles, what are their parents like and where are they?,” one user wrote below the footage.

Hooligans attempting “bus pops” or caught surfing atop public transport, can be penalised with fines between $400 and $5500.

A NSW Police spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph officers are working alongside the government to crackdown on crime on public transport.

“Engaging in this type of behaviour is not only illegal but extremely dangerous,” they said.

“NSW Police continue to work with Transport for NSW focusing on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on the public transport network.”

A spokesman for NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said no person should be engaging in bus popping, “under any circumstances.”

“Bus surfing isn’t just a crime, it’s also incredibly dangerous,” they said.

“People who try and do this put themselves and others in terrible danger. It can lead to lifelong injuries and death.”

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray echoed this sentiment, saying this “behaviour will inevitably lead to someone being badly hurt or losing their life.”

“The bus hatch plays a critical role in an emergency and there is a deadly irony it is being used by an irresponsible few to risk lives,” he said.

“Spare a thought for our hardworking bus drivers and innocent commuters who have to endure this lunacy and the potential consequences on their daily commute.”