16 News

The Minns Labor Government is taking action to stop the dangerous and growing trend of teenagers riding on the outside of the Tangara trains, with new safety devices being installed across the fleet to physically prevent people from accessing the back of trains.

The specially designed “nose cone” attachments are angled metal covers that block access to the tread plate between carriages – the area often used by so-called ‘buffer riders’ or ‘train surfers’ who cling to the outside of moving trains for social-media videos.

All 55 Tangara trains will be fitted with the devices by the end of 2026, with around a quarter completed by the end of this year.

The devices are being manufactured in NSW and installed at Sydney Trains’ Mortdale Maintenance Centre.

The rollout follows a successful six-month trial that found zero incidents of buffer riding on the fitted train.

Buffer riding incidents have risen by more than 25 per cent this year, with 275 cases recorded so far in 2025, alongside 588 crew-cab break-ins.

Eleven people have been seriously injured in the past five years, including a 13-year-old boy who fell from a train at Caringbah in September.

New CCTV released today by the NSW Government shows teenagers clinging to the backs of trains in heart-stopping moments of sheer recklessness.

Beyond putting hundreds of young lives at risk, buffer riding and vandalism is having an increasingly negative impact on the on-time running performance of Sydney Trains.

Buffer riders target Tangara trains, with the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line most impacted by disruption.

In 2025, more than 3000 minutes have been lost to buffer riding and vandalism.

Having traditionally been a reliable line, the T4 is the second worst performing line in 2025, with disruption spiking even more during school holidays in line with reported incidents.

There has been 132 incidents of buffer riding so far this year on the T4, which represents almost half of all recorded incidents across the entire Sydney Trains network.

Preventing buffer riding and improving reliability on the T4 is part of the Minns Labor Government’s focus on improving rail reliability in response to the Independent Rail Review. This includes:

• An investment of $458 million in rail maintenance, prioritising critical parts of the network where failures lead to widespread disruption
• Getting the new Mariyung fleet into service which allows for the retirement of the ageing K and V-sets
• The $447 million Tangara Life Extension Program which is upgrading 55 eight-carriage trains

Premier Chris Minns said:

“No viral video or adrenaline rush is worth risking your life for.

“This message isn’t getting through to some people which is why we’re acting to prevent this reckless, life-threatening stupidity.

“This is about safety and common sense. We’re acting to protect lives, support our train crews and make the network safer and more reliable.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“The vision of teenagers playing Russian Roulette with 400-tonne trains is heart-in-mouth stuff that will be confronting to watch for all parents.

“We must end the buffer riding trend and the successful trial of the nose cone attachment on Tangaras means we can now get on with the job of physically preventing people stepping on to the tread plate in the first place.

“This is first and foremost a safety issue but if we can stop this happening the pay off will also be improved on-time running. The NSW Government is laser-focused on improving reliability on the Sydney Trains network.

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said:

“We needed a robust and practical engineering solution to deter buffer riding, and we are confident this nose cone provides just that.

“Our staff will install the device on the front and back of the Tangara trains as a priority, and we aim to complete this on 110 cars across our 55 Tangara train sets by mid-2026.

“Reducing the incidence of buffer riding is a firm focus at Sydney Trains to stop people putting their lives at risk and reducing delays for train passengers across the network.”

The Minns Labor Government has celebrated the re-opening of the much-loved Mortlake Ferry following a vital four-month maintenance blitz.

Affectionately known by locals as the ‘Putney Punt’, the free ferry has long been part of daily life for hundreds of residents, visitors and businesses on the Parramatta River.

At the helm for the ferry’s first run back was the first female Mortlake Ferry Master in its near-100-year history, Yvonne Trovato. Yvonne swapped a life in finance for life on the water and a job she loves.

First opened on 16 May 1928, the diesel-powered cable ferry replaced a hand pulled barge which started operating near the Mortlake Ferry in the 19^th century.

The Ferry initially cost £4000 and was built to help Australian Gaslight Company (AGL) workers travel from the north to their workplace in Mortlake.

As the local area grew, so did the capacity of the ferry, from eight cars to eighteen.

Even after the construction of the nearby Ryde Bridge, the Mortlake Ferry has proven to be a favourite for locals who rely on the crossing, with an average of 400 cars using the free service daily.

In the early 1900s, slipping the ferry (winching it out of the water) for repairs required closing streets overnight and using trucks to haul the vessel out during a low spring tide.

By the 1970s, permanent winches and deep concrete piles made this process far more efficient, though the ferry still endures significant wear and requires a full overhaul and repaint every four years.

Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:

“The Minns Labor Government is thrilled to welcome this iconic ferry back into service.

“The Mortlake Ferry has always been a free service, and that is something we are proud to continue. At a time when every dollar matters, keeping this crossing free helps families, workers and businesses stay connected without extra cost.

“This project is about making sure a cherished part of Sydney’s transport history is ready for the future. These upgrades will improve safety for everyone using the ferry, whether passengers on foot, people behind the wheel or workers operating the vessel.

“The Mortlake Ferry has served the community for generations and is the last of its kind on the Parramatta River. As it approaches its centenary, this work will help preserve its legacy and keep it running well into the future.

“We know that locals and people who work on the Putney Punt hold it dear to their hearts. Transport for NSW has workers who have been associated with it for more than 30 years. One current operator’s dad used to work on the ferry and, as a boy, he used to fish for bream off the back of the punt while his dad worked.

“Now the Punt has its first female Ferry Master and is ready to head into a second century of service.

“We appreciate this closure has impacted daily routines, and we sincerely thank the community for their patience and understanding during this important upgrade.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison, said:

“While there are women working on other ferries, after nearly 100 years, the Mortlake Ferry has its first female Ferry Master now. This is an exciting milestone.

“I’d like to congratulate Yvonne on making history – this is a ‘first’ that is now part of the story of this iconic and much-loved vessel.

“Moments like these should be celebrated as we work towards increased gender diversity in non-traditional roles.”

Ferry Master Yvonne Trovato said:

“During Covid, I realised I wanted to spend more time with my parents, children and grandchildren – I was missing so many of their milestones. A friend knew I wanted a change and applied on my behalf without me knowing. It was the best thing she could have done.

“I used to use the ferry and now I operate it. I’m the first female Ferry Master – it’s a privilege, a dream – it’s surreal – sometimes I even impress myself!

“The best thing about the ferry is the people. You get all kinds – doctors, greengrocers, teenagers, teachers – people from every walk of life. And they say they like to see my smiling face at the beginning or end of the day.

“It is just the best job. I love being on the water and being a ferry driver – even in winter. The sunrises, the wildlife – I’d give my job 100 out of ten!

“During the upgrade and temporary closure, I was working at other cable ferries, but nothing beats Mortlake.”

For the first time in almost 50 years, the NSW Government is establishing a new program to equip young, aspiring police officers with the skills, training and experience to join the NSW Police Force.

he 12-month Cadet Traineeship Program will give school leavers and young adults hands-on experience and early exposure to policing culture, values and expectations. 

Cadets will complete 12 months of field-based learning, rotating through four placements, including six months in general duties, two months with Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, two months with the detectives unit and two months with the crime prevention unit.

At the end of the 12 months, cadets will obtain a Certificate III in business and be able to apply to undertake further study and training at the Goulburn Police Academy. 

Entry requirements include: 

• The applicant must be 16-years-old to apply, 17-years-old to commence the program.
• School leavers – must have completed year 10.
• Must pass physical, medical and psychometric testing and base line vetting.

The first NSW Police Force Cadet Traineeship Program will begin on 7 April 2026 as a pilot in The Hills Police Area Command and Sutherland Shire Police Area Command.

Cadets will also obtain first aid and aquatic sequence rescue training.

They will wear a distinct uniform to differentiate them from other officers and will not have access to weapons. 

More information can be found here.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild the NSWPF and create safer communities. 

While there is still more to do, that work includes: 

• Delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police officers.
• Establishing an historic scheme to pay recruits to train, resulting in a 70% increase in applications to join the NSWPF.
• Establishing the Be a Cop In Your Hometown program to give regional recruits the opportunity to serve in or near their hometown after attesting.
• Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to incentivise experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand to join the NSWPF.
• Establishing the Health Safety and Wellbeing Command to support officers to have long, healthy and rewarding careers with the NSW Police Force. 

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said: 

“Policing is one of the toughest jobs in our community. The stakes are high but the reward – the pride of serving your community and making a real difference is unmatched.

“Just as some choose to go to university or pick up a trade, the Cadet Traineeship Program gives young people the chance to experience life in the NSW Police Force.

“These cadets are not just trainees, they are the next generation of NSW Police officers. 

“While there’s more to do, we’re rebuilding the NSW Police Force into a modern organisation that reflects and protects the community it serves. 

NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon said: 

“I’m very happy to be able to announce the commencement of the Cadet Traineeship Program for school leavers and young adults,” Commissioner Lanyon said. 

“Cadets will be exposed to policing culture, values, and expectations, by structured mentorship and support to build confidence and resilience resulting in a smoother transition into the NSWSPF.

“We hope the program will attract diverse talent and encourage school leavers to pursue a career filled with opportunity and purpose.” 

The NSW Government acknowledges new data from the Bureau of Crimes Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) confirming NSW has some of the country’s lowest crime rates.

These statistics, drawn from crime surveys and police statistics, are a positive sign. But we know they are of little comfort for victim survivors of crime and in towns with persistently higher offending.

There is also more work to be done including to eliminate family and domestic violence and sexual assault which continue to occur at unacceptably high rates.

The BOCSAR report shows NSW has among the lowest victimisation rates for murder, robbery, break and enters, physical assault, malicious damage and theft of and from a motor vehicle.

NSW had the country’s lowest murder rate which was nine per cent below the national average between 2021 and 2023.

The rate of robberies reported in NSW was 67 per cent below the national average, between 2021 and 2024.

Reported break and enters were also 30 per cent below the national average between 2022 and 2024.

NSW also had the second lowest rate of physical assault which was 24 per cent below the national average over the same period.

Rates of motor vehicle theft, theft from a motor vehicle and malicious damage were also lower than many jurisdictions.

Malicious damage and theft from a motor vehicle were also 17 and 33 per cent below the national average, respectively.

While NSW consistently records lower rates compared to other jurisdictions, we understand the community’s ongoing safety concerns.

While the drivers of crime are complex and won’t be solved overnight, the NSW Government is working to help keep the community safe.

We have introduced and extended a new bail test for young people accused of repeat car theft and serious break and enter offences and made it harder for adults accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.

We are also investing $23 million in targeted regional funding to break the cycle of youth offending.