Threat Hanging Over Indonesia 'Train-Surfers'

Authorities in Indonesia are so fed up with people illegally riding on railway carriage roofs they have resorted to desperate measures - hanging concrete balls above the tracks.

So-called 'train surfing' is a popular alternative to sitting in overcrowded carriages or paying for tickets.

In the past, threatening the commuters with dogs and appealing for help from religious leaders failed to deter the thousands of people who are prepared to risk their lives when travelling.

Dozens of train-surfers are killed or injured every year and officials are hoping that hanging the balls at head-height will prevent this.

"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."

Trains that criss-cross Indonesia on poorly-maintained tracks left behind by Dutch colonisers six decades ago are usually packed with passengers, especially during the rush hour.

The first dozen or so balls were installed hundreds of yards from the entrance to a railway station just outside the capital, Jakarta. Painted silver, the balls hung by chains from what looked like the frame of a giant football goal.

But there was a glitch: the chains were too short, leaving a gap of about 16 inches (40cm) between the balls and the roofs of the passing carriages. Mr Rizahulhaq said adjustments would be made.

If successful, the project will be expanded.

Asked about worries that the balls could hurt or even kill those who defy the roof-riding ban, he insisted that was not really his problem.

"They don't have to sit on top," he said. "And we've already told them, if the train is full, go to the office. We will be happy to reimburse their tickets."

However, the commuters - known as Atappers or Roofers - are hardcore in their determination to stay on top.

"I was really scared when I first heard about these balls," said Mulyanto, a 27-year-old shopkeeper, who rides between his hometown of Bogor and Jakarta almost every day for work. "It sounds like it could be really dangerous.

"But I don't think it'll last long," he said. "They've tried everything to keep us from riding ... in the end we always win.

"We like it up there, it's windy, really nice."

Several years ago, paint guns were set up to spray people riding on the top of carriages so the authorities could identify and round up the guilty travellers.