On Good Day NY, MABSTOA VP Richie Davis Addresses Bus Operator Assaults

May 24, 2022 -- TWU LOCAL 100 Vice President for MABSTOA and Chief of Staff Richie Davis went on Good Day New York today to discuss the rising tide of assaults on Bus Operators which have increased by 42% from 2018. The minute a rider bypasses the Metrocard reader and walks onto the bus, he or she has committed a crime. At that point, confronting the passenger with this fact risks an Operator’s Safety.

Brother Davis told Good Day NY Anchor Roseanna Scotto and Bianca Peters: “Our members are in fear of being harmed and being assaulted, spit on. Everything you can think of happens to us on a daily basis.

 

“We do not agree with the policy of requiring Operators to ask for the fare. We are asking for more police presence on the bus. A spot check here and there is not enough. We have more female bus operators than ever before, and they seem to be getting harassed more because they are more vulnerable.

“We are asking for police not only to spot check but to ride the lines. During COVID, ridership was free. Now, people see the bus as a free means of transportation. During COVID we were seen as heroes. At this point, we’re being harassed for our heroic efforts on the buses.”

You can see the interview here.