Sydney commuters are being warned against trespassing in the rail corridor as it’s not only illegal but could be a matter of life and death.
Videos released by Sydney Trains show a number of incidents where kids and adults alike have trespassed on the tracks and in rail corridors, from walking to dancing on the rails.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said there have been 166 incidents of trespassing in the past year.
“People trespassing in the rail corridor causes delays for trains and passengers,” Longland said.
“But even worse, if trains aren’t able to stop, it could cost someone their life.”
Head of Sydney Trains security and intelligence Jess Sharpe said when a person is detected in the tunnels, trains are ordered to stop – adding extra delays to commuters.
“Anyone thinking about trespassing – think again,” she said.
“Not only do you risk your life, but it’s also a selfish act that can cause lengthy delays, impacting the journeys of hundreds of thousands of passengers across Greater Sydney.
“I’ve seen first-hand some terrifying incidents captured on our security cameras, with people putting themselves at serious risk of death or injury.”
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She added there’s a concerning growing trend of young people running on the tracks for pranks or social media.
The minimum fine for trespassing on the tracks is $400 but can be as high as $5500.
For train drivers, someone on the tracks is an even more stressful situation.
”Each time I see a trespasser I have to quickly blow the horn, apply emergency braking, stop the train, and ensure the corridor is clear,” driver Jenilyn Maniebo said.
Maniebo added the close calls and sadly fatalities weigh on drivers’ minds.
”An incident like this has a ripple effect impacting so many people.”
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