Melbourne train operator Metro condemns reckless practise of *coupler riding* (ABC)

View Comments ABC Unidentified teens (centre) coupler riding at Middle Brighton train station in Melbourne.

Melbourne train operator Metro has condemned the "reckless and extremely dangerous" practice of "coupler riding" - where people ride on the outside of a train.

It comes after a woman saw two teenage boys step off the platform at Middle Brighton station on the Sandringham line and onto the back of a train last week.

She said the boys smiled and waved at her before covering their faces with their jumpers as the train moved away from the platform.

The woman, Elise, managed to take a quick photo and rang Metro to report the incident.

"I'm sure the parents would've been concerned," she said.

"It's the first time I'd seen it. I was shocked."

She called Public Transport Victoria to alert them and was surprised when the call-taker seemed unconcerned about the practise.

Metro has been investigating why the call was not taken seriously.

Metro said while "coupler riding" was different to train surfing, which involves people riding on the top of a train, it was quite common and no less dangerous.

Last month a man died when he was electrocuted while riding on the roof of a train at Balaclava station.

In 2012 there were 109 reported incidents of coupler riding and there have already been 36 reported incidents this year.

Metro spokeswoman Larisa Tait called it "reckless and extremely dangerous" behaviour.

"Our trains travel up to 110 kilometres per hour on some parts of the network and it's a one-and-a-half metre drop from the carriage onto the tracks," she said.

"A fall from the back of a train could result in death, or most certainly serious injury.

"Risk-taking behaviour around the railway is a significant problem for us and put simply, no stunt is worth somebody's life."

Metro said anyone who witnesses coupler riding should push the red emergency button inside trains or on the platform.

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