Subway Operator Under Fire for Allowing Minors to Joyride on MTA Train
Allegations have surfaced against a subway operator in New York City for permitting minors to operate an aboveground train in what transit authorities have termed a “dangerous” act.
Two videos shared on social media purportedly depict the same operator encouraging children to take control of an MTA train during daylight hours.
In one recording, the transit worker can be heard prompting a young boy, “Go, go, go, go, it’s green,” as they approach an empty platform on a J train at 111th Street in Queens.
The child then honks the train’s horn, celebrating the next station’s announcement.
Another clip features what appears to be a different child wearing a safety vest at the controls of yet another aboveground train. The operator is seen using a mobile phone and sipping coffee while the young boy steers the train down the tracks.
The precise timing of the recordings is unknown, nor is it clear who first uploaded the footage. However, the user known as Atunyc has stated that the videos are recent.
MTA leaders condemned the operator’s actions. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow emphasized in a statement, “What is shown in these videos is reckless and unacceptable. Any transit employee who allows untrained individuals to operate trains will face severe repercussions, including dismissal and potential legal action.”
Historically, incidents involving minors operating vacant subway trains are not unprecedented. In February, two teenage boys were arrested for allegedly commandeering an empty train in Brooklyn. The pair, aged 15 and 17, were detained on warrants following tips connected to a joyride aboard an R train in Sunset Park.
Similarly, last January, a group of teenagers managed to access two vacant train cars in Queens, briefly taking them for a joyride near the Forest Hills-71st Avenue subway station.
Passionate journalist and digital news editor with a keen eye for global affairs and emerging trends. As the founder and lead writer of RSS News US, he is dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and engaging content to readers seeking trustworthy news in a fast-paced world.
