Published: April 14, 2026 23:05
Reading time: 2min – video: 2min
In New York, United States, teenagers are managing to get into subway train driver cabins using simple keys bought online. This phenomenon, which is flooding social networks, is causing concern for the police.
Subway trains speeding through the underground tunnels of New York (United States) while continuously honking. The driver has not gone mad, but teenagers have just taken control of the train. They call themselves subway conquerors and film their so-called exploits. Using a simple passkey, stolen or purchased online, they enter the rear cab, often empty when the train is in motion, and play with the control screens as if nothing is wrong. “Here, I’m going to make my own train announcement,” rejoices a teenager on social media.
But some of these teenagers go even further. They sneak into out-of-service train cars and set the train in motion themselves, even if just for a few meters. “Honestly, it’s too easy!” exclaims a young man online. The teenagers seem unaware of the danger. A train driver then sounds the alarm. “It’s crazy what these kids are doing by moving the trains. They’re going to end up killing someone,” he says.
The phenomenon is escalating. 25 trains have been improperly moved in 2025. 12 already since the beginning of January. Incidents have been narrowly avoided. Unions are calling for strong measures. “They need to quickly implement something to disable the system, to verify that it’s actually an employee, using a code or a special button,” emphasizes John V. Chiarello, president of the New York Transport Workers’ Union.
The New York subway system says it is working to enhance its security. So far, none of these subway conquerors have been caught. They face prison sentences.
