New York: Teens Infiltrating Subway Trains
Published on: April 14, 2026 at 23:05
Reading time: 2 mins – Video: 2 mins
In New York, USA, teenagers manage to sneak into the train driver’s cabins using simple keys bought online. This trend, flooding social media, worries the police.
Subway trains speeding through the underground tunnels of New York, continuously honking. The train driver hasn’t gone crazy, but teenagers have taken control of the train. They call themselves subway conquerors and film their supposed feats. With a simple master key, stolen or purchased online, they enter the rear cabin, often empty when the train is moving, and play with the control screens as if nothing was wrong. “Here, I’m going to make my own train announcement,” a teenager gleefully posts on social media.
But some of these teenagers go even further. They break into out-of-service cars and even set the train in motion, even if it’s just for a few meters. “Honestly, it’s too easy!” exclaims a young man online. The teenagers seem unaware of the danger. On social media, a train operator then raises the alarm. “It’s crazy what these kids are doing by moving the trains. They’re going to end up killing someone,” he asserts.
The trend is escalating. 25 trains were improperly relocated in 2025. Already 12 since the beginning of January. Incidents have narrowly been avoided. Unions are calling for strong measures. “They need to quickly implement something to deactivate the system, to verify that it’s actually an employee, through a code or a special button,” highlights John V. Chiarello, president of the Transport Workers Union of New York.
The New York subway system says it is working to enhance its security. So far, none of these subway conquerors have been arrested. They face prison sentences.
