NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — MTA bus drivers rallied in Upper Manhattan Wednesday demanding better protections after an increase in attacks.
The drivers said they’re fed up with being punching bags. One bus operator, Sacha Alvarez, has yet to return to work after being assaulted by a man with a tree branch in February.
“I actually have nightmares of just a bus coming into my house or a man trying to attack me,” Alvarez said.
Several other drivers shared their stories of being assaulted while on the job with one operator calling the attacks “traumatizing, degrading and disgusting.”
“We're so unprotected. We have a barrier, which they reach over and try to open,” another driver added, who was beaten by a woman with a shoe that had a wooden heel.
Bus assaults increased as bus ridership decreased during the pandemic. According to the MTA, 64 drivers were assaulted last year, up 25% from the 51 reported back in 2019.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber is backing a bill in Albany which would increase penalties.
“We think we're heading in the right direction,” Lieber said. “We're obviously very anxious to make sure all of our employees, especially bus drivers, are protected.”
Lieber added that 15,000 police officers are patrolling buses now, a dramatic upsurge. But drivers were asking for more enforcement on vulnerable routes as well as better, more enclosed barriers.
“I'm thrilled that the [Transit Workers Unit] is speaking out as well,” said Lieber. “They are obviously our partners in calling for more justice for transit workers.”
Related
Related
