No. This is not. They are using the emergency break lever in every car by either door that is on both ends of the car. It is unlocked and available to all. I once almost pulled it accidentally because the train braked hard and it was so crowded i was holding on to the ceiling.
You need to read the article again then. Although the break pulls you describe are present in every car, the article clearly states that the one being activated is in the unused control cab in the back of the train (the cab used by the conductor when the train travels in the other direction)
