In Brooklyn, a passenger attacked a bus driver, and the incident has prompted the driver to speak out. The attack is one of three recent assaults on bus drivers in New York City, raising concerns about the safety of public transportation workers.
A bus driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, has reported suffering an injury from a belligerent passenger on Friday morning. The incident occurred when the driver was almost at the end of her route in Brooklyn.
The victim recounted the incident where no one had pressed the bell and as a result, a fellow passenger had to get up and request to be let off because they had missed their stop. “You passed my stop, can you let me off?” the guy had asked.
Attempting to clarify her limitations, she expressed that such a task was beyond her capabilities.
“I was in the middle of speaking when suddenly, I found myself being punched in the face while driving,” she revealed. “Despite the situation, I made sure to keep my composure and avoid any accidents to ensure the safety of my passengers on the bus.”
She claims that he used foul language and made a threat to kill her.
The victim recounted, “I thought of my dear children waiting for me at home, and that’s when I came to a halt and opened the door.”
The perpetrator is still at large after slashing a Brooklyn bus driver during work hours the following day. Another attack occurred, and the suspect has not been apprehended.
The driver was slated to speak at a news conference organized by his union to address the recent surge in attacks on its members. However, he couldn’t make it to the event due to the excruciating pain he is still enduring.
TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis expressed concern over a recent surge of assaults against employees, stating, “We’ve had a rash of assaults on so many of our employees. Just this morning, we had a conductor who was punched in the face.”
The union reported that yet another conductor was punched while on duty on Monday. While appreciating the increased police presence on the subways, the union is of the opinion that the same level of security is required on buses as well.
TWU Local 100 Vice President John Paul Patafio stated firmly that the transit workers should not be treated like the public’s punching bag. He believes that if things continue this way, a time will come when the transit workers will take a stand and march with their feet, and he will be right there with them.
According to the NYPD, there has been a 50 percent decrease in assaults on transit workers during the first quarter of this year as compared to the previous year. However, the union emphasizes that it’s crucial for the city and the MTA to remain vigilant and not become complacent.
Davis emphasized that despite the decreasing numbers of assaults, it is still not okay for their members to feel unsafe. He stressed that in their organization, an injury to one is an injury to all, and they must continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone. “If one of our members gets hurt, we all get hurt,” he said, highlighting the importance of maintaining a safe environment for their community.
The bus driver expressed their adoration for their job and their desire to return home, stating, “I really love my job. And I just really want to make it back home.”
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