It’s a story almost as old as trams have been about but “tram surfing” is once again in the news with several images appearing of youths “surfing” on the back of trams in Manchester leading to TfGM issuing a warning about the dangers of these activity. Meanwhile, other footage has appeared of youths riding along the roof of vehicles on the Docklands Light Railway.
In Manchester the footage recently seen in various media outlets has shown people sitting on the coupler at the end of a tram and riding along as the it travels along the Altrincham line. There have now been 63 recorded incidents since last June with many involving children with some cases believed to include some as young as 11 years old.
TfGM Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughan is now asking the public to report any incidents of this type: “Tram-surfing is extremely dangerous and ultimately can be fatal. If either of those people in the footage had slipped while the tram was in motion, then they would almost certainly have been killed. As a parent that terrifies me so we’re asking the public to help us put a stop to this by reporting any incidents they see, either by contacting the police immediately or speaking to Metrolink staff via any of the call points on our trams or at stops. I’d also ask parents to ensure that they know what their child is up to and maybe talk to them about the dangers and consequences of such behaviour. The last thing anybody wants is for someone’s child not to go home because of something like this, but that is what will happen if it continues.”