In the Wake of Bus Operator Stabbing, Union Demands Cockpit-Style Enclosures; More Police Presence on Buses

JUNE 7 -- At a press conference held today outside of Methodist Hospital in Park Slope where a Bus Operator is recovering from being stabbed, TA Surface Vice President JP Patafio called for the MTA to install cockpit-style enclosures to protect our Bus Operators from assault as well as more police presence on bus routes. He said that Bus Operators were frustrated and angry that more has not been done to protect them from assault. He demanded that NYC Transit install cockpit-style bus enclosures, similar to those which are already in service in cities like Las Vegas. The press conference was called after a veteran Bus Operator was stabbed in the stomach last night in Brooklyn after a perp forced his way through the rear doors of the vehicle and assaulted the Operator, also slashing him above the right eye.

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and Patafio visited the Bus Operator in the hospital this morning. Also speaking at the press event were TA Surface officers Ronald Carter, Gary Rosario, and Alexander Kemp. Rank and file Bus Operators also addressed the media as did East New York Depot Chair Javier Oquendo.