According to the New York Police Department, Ian Bascombe, 58, was driving a southbound B41 bus near Foster and Flatbush Aves. in Brooklyn, New York. During the journey, passenger Quentin Branch, 33, requested him to pull over and drop him off.
NYPD officials informed Law&Crime that the passenger desired to disembark at an unauthorized stop.
According to police sources cited by the New York Post, Branch, who is known for repeated transit offenses, reportedly stated that he had accidentally boarded the wrong bus and wished to disembark.
However, Bascombe, the driver, continued driving in order to locate a suitable spot to pull over. This allegedly led to Branch assaulting him.
Both men were ultimately arrested and charged in relation to the incident. Bascombe faced charges including two counts of second- and third-degree assault, as well as one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Meanwhile, Branch was charged with one count of second-degree harassment, as well as two counts of second- and third-degree assault.
Frank Annicaro, NYC Transit’s senior vice president for buses, expressed his concern over the violence that occurs on buses in New York City.
In a statement to local media outlets, he emphasized that such behavior is not acceptable and puts the safety of New Yorkers at risk. As a result, the Bus Operator involved in the incident is being withheld from service pending an internal review.
An MTA cleaner was taken into custody last week after being accused of cutting a man at the Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Center subway stop in Brooklyn. In a separate incident, a female MTA employee in Los Angeles was reportedly shot by her ex-boyfriend.
MTA workers have expressed their concerns and demands for improved security measures in response to the violence.
According to a long-time employee who spoke to the Los Angeles Times in May, there is a sentiment among drivers that Metro does not prioritize their well-being. The employee expressed a feeling of being dispensable within the organization.