The assault happened around 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the transportation center at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster, according to a news release from AVTA.
“The operator had parked a Route 1 northbound bus at OMP Transportation Center and was taking a scheduled break while the bus batteries were charging,” said AVTA Senior Director Martin Tompkins. “An irate rider verbally threatened our operator, then proceeded to viciously assault her, striking her in the face, cutting her lip, and bruising her cheek.”
It was reported that the rider may have been upset over the perceived delay or over the operator exiting the bus and speaking with another passenger on the platform, AVTA officials said in the news release.
Other operators tried to help the victim, but they were unable to detain the suspect, AVTA officials said. The victim was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital as a precaution and released later that evening.
“AVTA places the highest premium on the safety of our operators and passengers, and we want to make it clear that we simply will not tolerate this kind of behavior towards our operators or passengers,” Tompkins said. “Therefore, we are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.”
Anyone who witnessed the Oct. 31 attack or recognizes the alleged attacker is encouraged to contact the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-948-8466.
Jesse says
Unruly, violent passengers attacking bus drivers is at an all time high. These bus drivers are easy targets for angry people that lack self-control, and can’t keep their filthy hands to themselves.
Tim Scott says
Too bad you’re not as easy. Though I guess if you are out checking hand cleanliness maybe you are. Fingers crossed that you get a beat down.
Alexis says
Abusers feel they are entitled to abuse. This female bus driver was violently attacked and will need to get help for this life changing event. This predator is just one of many in this world that choose easy targets to perpetrate their violence, and unfortunately for many, it’s too late.
Alexis says
Absolutely agree, lots of victim blaming going on. These poor bus drivers are being attacked more, as violence seems to be the answer for those that lack self-control, and find a reason for someone to get a so-called “beat down.” Abusers always come up with a reason to apply violence, especially toward an unsuspecting person to victimize.
Tim Scott says
I don’t think it is victim blaming to consider policies that would improve relations with customers overall. When I was on that bus the other day there was only the one person openly working themselves into a lather over the little chat up session going on outside the bus, but they were far from being the only one who visibly relaxed when I explained the bus charging thing. There’s nothing wrong with policies that lower tensions, rather than just ranting about how people should control their temper.
Grace says
Yes, and he is also using his mouth to verbally assault, and his hands to beat his children and anyone else in his family. Of course he thinks it’s their fault for making him hit them.
AVTA says
The computer expert was running late to get to work.
Random Stranger says
Nice that they have a very clear picture to work with. Good chance he has shaved and got a buzz cut by now. Too bad he will still look stupid.
Liza says
If he was so upset about the operater getting a break than he should get a job and buy himself a car so he can get himself were ever he wants but he rather not work just be aggressive. Ugly coward someone from there should if gave him an ass whoop.
Public Transport says
Coward.
Mars says
Maybe some tyoe of notice should be posted on all busses stating possible wait times & Break times during certain Bus rides to limit Attacks..This is not the first time someone has gotton frustrated and attacked on a bus…Many people rely on the bus to get to work and maybe since it was Halloween rushing to get home to take kids Trick or Treating..either way posts something abiut delays since these busses are electric and need to be charged often..It would also help to have another bus ready to transfer passengers to another bus in case of this bus charging delay or any delays.
Laughing says
You mean like this
https://www.avta.com/track-it.php
Tim Scott says
Not really, no. If you are already sitting on the bus you don’t really need the track-it app to tell you where it is, you can just look out the window.
I was on a bus yesterday listening to someone get hotter…and hotter…and hotter…as they watched our driver chatting it up with a couple other AVTA staff about twenty feet from the bus. When I told her “hey, these electric buses can pick up a charge just by sitting here, and there’s a wait built into the schedule so they can” she calmed right down.
Information is a simple solution, but the AVTA really shouldn’t be relying on someone like me being on the bus to pass it along. If the drivers had a policy to follow that said “when you pull up to charge, as you leave the bus inform the passengers about the reason for the delay” they wouldn’t need to offer rewards when drivers get beat down by irate people.