{
  "id": 10778230,
  "title": "Tangara carriages locked down over 'train surfing' and break-in fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/tangara-carriages-locked-down-over-train-surfing-and-break-in-fears",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T20:42:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-30/nsw-tangara-trains-vandalism-security-measures/107207828"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent incidents of train surfing and vandalism on Sydney's Tangara trains have led to a security crackdown, specifically targeting the rear carriages throughout the NSW school holiday period. The lack of CCTV on the trains and the presence of a rear platform, known as the buffer, has made them particularly vulnerable to such activities. Only one out of 55 Tangara trains has been refurbished in the past two years, despite a $447 million government program aimed at upgrading the aging fleet and installing CCTV systems. Passengers are now barred from using the rear carriages to prevent break-ins into crew cabs and riding on the back of trains. The policy was already in place on selected night-time and weekend services but has now been extended to all Tangara trains. The government's response to these incidents has been criticized by the opposition, with Shadow Transport Minister Natalie Ward accusing the administration of surrendering to vandals and train-surfers. However, Transport Minister John Graham defended the measures, stating that reliability is the top priority. He explained that locking up the rear carriages is a pragmatic step to prevent further inconveniences for commuters. The issue of train-surfing has been exacerbated by social media videos showcasing these activities, which have contributed to increased vandalism on the trains. To combat this problem, Sydney Trains fitted slanted nose cones onto the buffers to prevent flat surfaces for train surfers. Despite these measures, internal documents suggest that the organization is working on installing new locks on crew cab doors. Plain-clothes security officers are also patrolling some Tangara trains. The once-advanced Tangara trains, introduced in 1988, are expected to remain in service until the mid-2030s while a replacement is built. The Minns government plans to construct the new fleet in the Hunter region, with a $12 billion investment over 15 years. However, the state opposition has criticized the slow pace of the Tangara refurbishment program, which has only refurbished a single train since its announcement in June 2024.",
  "summary": "After multiple security breaches, the back carriage has been closed off on many Tangara trains.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}