Bus
operators from around the city have begun to express how traumatic some days
have been while working in their line of work.
“I was
hit multiple times with a tree branch,” said Wilfredo Tineo, who has been a bus
operator for over 10 years and is no stranger to these incidents. “This is
disgusting, degrading, and embarrassing.”
Tineo
says he has tried to find common ground with passengers during the pandemic but
it does not always work. Multiple other drivers have told News 12 they are used
to experiencing similar issues at work.
According
to the MTA, the number of assault and harassment incidents to date has
increased compared to last year, with 49 incidents just in May alone.
“We do
have violence prevention training for a lot of employees,” said MTA chair and
CEO Janno Lieber. “But our workers shouldn’t have to be prepared to be
attacked. That’s not their job.”
Police
reports show that these incidents can happen at any time of day, and are
extremely unpredictable. If you see, hear or know of anyone involved in
transit crime, contact the NYPD.