MTA launches new ad campaign to combat subway surfing incidents.
Transit authorities are implementing renewed strategies to address the alarming trend of subway surfing, an activity that has resulted in tragic fatalities among New York City’s youth. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has officially re-launched its “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” public safety campaign, featuring professional BMX rider Nigel Sylvester as its new spokesman. This initiative aims to mitigate the risks associated with riding on the outside of subway trains, an act that has become increasingly popular yet perilous.
The updated campaign includes a set of recorded subway announcements delivered by Sylvester alongside schoolchildren from New York City, emphasizing the dangers and consequences of subway surfing. In addition to the audio messages, the MTA will display a series of digital posters on screens at various subway stations and platforms to broaden the reach of its messaging.
Subway surfing has proven to be a persistent and deadly issue. In 2022, the practice was linked to six fatalities, followed by an additional five deaths reported in 2023. Throughout these two years, approximately 25 individuals sustained injuries while engaging in this dangerous behavior. The majority of those impacted are teenagers, highlighting a pressing need for targeted safety initiatives aimed at this demographic.
In a particularly heartbreaking case this year, a 13-year-old boy succumbed to injuries sustained while subway surfing after falling from the top of a No. 7 train in Queens. MTA officials are acutely aware of the far-reaching implications of such incidents. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow expressed concern for children’s safety, recalling firsthand experiences that underscore the grave consequences of subway-related accidents.
The revamped campaign not only focuses on the immediate dangers of subway surfing but also portrays the traumatic impact of such tragedies on families and communities. A recent ad launched as part of this initiative narrates the fictionalized story of a 12-year-old who falls from a train, illustrating the emotional fallout experienced by friends and family members, as well as first responders.
MTA customer’s chief officer Shanifa Rieara announced that a total of 43 new advertisements will be rolled out over the coming year. Additional efforts include conducting trials for barrier systems to make it more difficult for individuals to access the roofs of subway cars. Rieara also informed the public about ongoing attempts to remove subway-surfing content from social media platforms, with approximately 1,800 videos purged this year alone from services like X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
As the MTA continues to confront this challenge, officials remain hopeful that increased awareness and preventive measures will help diminish subway surfing incidents and foster a safer environment for all transit users.
