Los Angeles commuters were shown a stark example of the hazards that can occur on the city's transit system after an Instagram video surfaced of two people riding on the exterior of a Metro D Line train as it traveled beneath the city.
What the footage shows
The clip, obtained and shared by media outlets, runs about 21 minutes. It depicts one person perched on the front of a moving D Line car while a second individual records from just behind them as the train journeys through subway tunnels and into several underground stations.
At multiple stops, the video shows passengers waiting on station platforms as the train pulls away with the pair still riding on the outside. The footage concludes at the Mid-Wilshire station, where both riders are seen climbing down from the front of the train and walking away. The time the video was filmed and whether others were involved were not disclosed.
Safety risks highlighted
Metro trains on that route travel at varying speeds; the clip shows stretches where the train appears to be moving at around 30 mph, with tunnel lighting and infrastructure passing just feet from the riders. Transit authorities and safety experts have long warned that riding on the exterior of trains — a practice commonly called "subway surfing" — can lead to catastrophic injury or death.
- Riders on the exterior are exposed to tunnel infrastructure and clearances measured in feet.
- Contact with a third rail or falling onto the tracks would carry life-threatening risks.
- Passengers and operators can be put at risk when trains must brake or make emergency maneuvers.
“As a Train Operator, this is absolutely reckless,” wrote a commenter who said they worked on trains, warning that one wrong move could result in falling onto the third rail or being hit by a following train.
Transit agencies' message
While the video itself did not include statements from Los Angeles Metro, transit agencies nationally have repeatedly issued warnings against subway surfing. The practice attracts attention on social media but carries immediate dangers for both the individuals involved and other riders.
| Detail | From the video |
|---|---|
| Approximate duration | 21 minutes |
| Observed endpoint | Mid-Wilshire station |
| Train line | D Line |
The footage renews concern about dangerous social media trends where people film themselves performing life-threatening stunts for online attention. For Los Angeles residents and regular Metro users, the video is a reminder of risks in the system and the importance of following posted safety rules and instructions from transit staff.
