Another Metro bus driver was reportedly attacked in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – An investigation is underway after another Metro bus driver was reportedly attacked while on the job on Monday.

It happened around 9:50 a.m. on a bus traveling south on Spring Street, just south of Temple.

Authorities said the bus driver recognized a possibly homeless person from previous incidents and attempted to prevent her from boarding by closing the bus doors. However, the suspect woman’s arm became trapped between the doors, prompting the bus driver to reopen the doors, officials said.

The woman then allegedly lunged at the bus driver, grabbed his glasses and scratched the driver’s left eye.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

The suspect ran away but was chased by the bus driver, which led to another altercation, authorities said.

Metro released the following statement in response to the attack:

“Metro is angry that once again a member of our community has chosen to attack one of our most important bus drivers. Our employees deserve a safe workplace and our customers deserve a safe ride, and we are accelerating our work to prevent crime on our system. But we need your help: We are asking anyone with information about this crime to help the LAPD arrest the attacker by calling the LA Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-TIPS or 800-222-8477.”

This is the latest in a series of attacks on Metro bus riders in recent months. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass called for an immediate increase in police forces across the transit system.

After several violent incidents involving bus drivers, the Metro Board of Directors approved the installation of protective barriers for drivers in around 2,000 buses.

By the end of the year, the agency’s entire fleet is to be equipped with the new barriers.