Indonesian rail authorities attempt to stop ‘train surfing’

Indonesia’s rail authorities are trying out a new scare tactic to try and stop passengers from ‘surfing’ on the roofs of trains: concrete balls dangling above the carriage roof.

Passengers often ride on the roofs during rush hour due to the overcrowding onboard or to simply avoid paying a fare.

Grapefruit-sized concrete balls will be suspended above the train in the rail authorities’ latest attempt to deter people from riding on the roof.

Other efforts include passengers being threatened with dogs, barbed wire being placed on the roof and even spraying passengers with red paint.

The potentially-deadly concrete balls will be suspended above tracks near railway crossings and stations to prevent people jumping on.

“We’ve tried just about everything, even putting rolls of barbed wire on the roof, but nothing seems to work,” said Mateta Rizahulhaq, a spokesman for the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api.

“Maybe this will do it.”