ATU Seeks Federal Probe Of Attacks On Transit Drivers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) wants the federal government to probe passenger attacks on transit drivers after a spate of recent assaults. The most recent attack, on Feb. 10, saw a female passenger assault a D.C. Metrobus driver – a member of ATU Local 689 – with a can of Mace. A Pittsburgh bus driver was attacked on Feb. 4 and attacks against New York City transit drivers rose 30% in 2012. The feds can investigate the issue because local bus and subway systems receive federal money. The union proposes protecting drivers through enclosures, driver’s side escape doors and more transit police and patrols on buses and subways. - Press Associates, Inc.