In a worrying online trend, Montreal’s transportation authority is stepping up its security and vigilance after videos show teenagers behind the controls of subway trains while they are in use.
The STM says it is investigating after videos circulating on TikTok show thrill seekers breaking into the rear driver’s cabin where the car’s control panel is found.
The anonymous urban explorer, led by mtl.Urbexx, has posted at least two videos online in which he performs the illegal stunt. The videos have been viewed thousands of times.
Montreal Metro trains can travel in both directions and have two cabins, one at each end.
However, STM officials say only the cabin at the front of the train is occupied by a driver during service.
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This also means that only one control panel is functional at a time.
It remains unclear how the adrenaline junkies entered the cabins, which are supposed to be locked at all times, according to Amélie Régis, spokesperson for the metro service.
“These people are taking a huge risk. The STM finds these actions deplorable and extremely dangerous,” said Régis.
Each incident is reported to police, but officials are not saying how many have occurred.
Fearing an increase in popularity, the STM says it is aware of the phenomenon and is closely monitoring the situation, alerting staff and more than 170 security officers to look out for suspicious activity.
“The security measures implemented across the metro network are varied and include detection equipment in tunnels, some 2,000 surveillance cameras and permanent monitoring of metro staff,” Regis said.
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