Transit Workers Face Rising Assaults Across Major Cities

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In recent weeks, there has been a disturbing rise in violent attacks on transit workers across the United States. In New York City, an MTA bus driver was punched in the face by a passenger after she refused to let him off between stops, citing policy. Another bus driver, Isaac Egharevba, was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle by an irate passenger. Additionally, a subway conductor was assaulted, contributing to an alarming uptick in attacks on transit workers.
Union officials have expressed their frustration and concern, demanding increased protection for bus drivers similar to the heightened police presence on subways. TWU Local 100 leaders have warned of potential work stoppages if the violence continues, although specific plans for a strike have not been confirmed.
Similar incidents have been reported in other cities. In Los Angeles, a bus driver was attacked by a homeless woman who scratched her face and broke her glasses. In Nashville, a bus driver was hospitalized after being attacked with a kitchen knife by a passenger.
Transit agencies in these cities have condemned the attacks and emphasized the need for safer working conditions for their employees. The overall sentiment is a call for immediate action to ensure the safety of both transit workers and passengers.