Sydney Trains: Crackdown on anti-social behaviour across city’s transport network

NSW Police are cracking down on a dangerous new trend on the Sydney Trains network known as ‘buffer riding’. Watch the video here.

NSW Police are cracking down on a growing trend known as ‘buffer riding’, where rail passengers cling to the back of carriages while the train is moving.

Authorities released new vision of the “stupid acts”— also referred to as ‘roof riding’— that sees trespassers jump onto the back of a train and hold on as the 400-tonne vehicles travel to speeds of 110km/h.

Operation Rampart was launched by the Police Transport and Public Safety Command (PT&PS) and Sydney Trains to crack down on the illegal act.

The three-month operation, which targets ‘buffer riding’ and other crime like assaults and property offences on public transport, started in November last year and will run until February 16.

“The Enhanced Enforcement Program provides additional funded shifts designed for officers tasked to patrol the railway lines and particularly target those committing buffer riding offences,” PT&PSC South West Commander Superintendent Mark Wall said.

NSW Police have launched a new operation targeting anti-social behaviour across Sydney’s public transport network this holiday season. Picture: NSW Police

Sydney Trains officials warned of the serious risk of death associated to the dangerous trend. Picture: NSW Police

“The message is simple; don’t put your life at risk trying to impress your friends, or with the goal of getting ‘views’ on social media.”

Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said officials reported 27 incidents of buffer riding in 2023.

At least 27 incidents of buffer riding was reported last year. Picture: NSW Police

Experts have warned that the dangerous act is on the rise in school holidays. Picture: NSW Police

“This is far from harmless fun, or content for a social media reel – it puts the safety of passengers, staff and the person themselves at serious risk,” Mr Murray said.

“People who hold onto the light rail while on a bike or scooter are duelling with danger. Despite their name, light rail vehicles weigh a minimum of 40 tonnes when empty, so are anything but light if they make contact with a person, bike, scooter or skateboard.

“Warning signs against buffer riding are installed on light rail vehicles for a reason – people breaking the rules can easily fall and suffer serious injuries or die, and those climbing on the vehicles run high risk of electrocution.”

The statewide crackdown is also targeting other issues such as general anti-social behaviour, assaults and property offences. Picture: NSW Police

Anti-social behaviour has caused nearly 11-thousand minutes in delays that equates to nearly 8 days’ worth of delays. Picture: NSW Police

More than 11-thousand minutes in delays have resulted from anti-social behaviour across Sydney train lines.

“That equates to nearly eight days’ worth of delays. And incidents of trespassing into the rail corridor have cause 24 days’ worth of delays on the network in the past year,” Sydney Trains Head of Security and Intelligence Jess Sharpe said.

Hundreds of arrests have been made throughout the operation. Picture: NSW Police

“We work closely with the Police Transport Command to target and deter anti-social behaviour as well as criminal behaviour, and provide CCTV footage to help identify any risk takers.

“We see have seen a rise in buffer riding incidents during the school holidays. Our trains weigh 400 tonnes and travel up to 110km/h. This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. People risk being seriously injured or killed all for a silly thrill. It is not worth it.

“The impact these stupid acts have on our staff cannot be put into words. They are very traumatic at the very least.”