Another RTA Bus Driver Assaulted (Cleveland, Union: closing, safety, authority)

[Mr216]

RTA driver's union president miffed after another driver is assaulted by a passenger Thursday

CLEVELAND -- The president of the union that represents Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority bus drivers is calling for more protection and better safety training after a veteran driver was assaulted Thursday afternoon by an angry passenger.

William Nix, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 268 said Gregory Vranekovic, 59, was hit several times in the face after he let several passengers off at a stop on East 93rd Street and Union Avenue around 4 p.m.

Nix said the incident began as passengers were exiting the bus' rear door. As Vranekovic was closing the door, Nix said, a man attempted to enter the bus but caught his foot in the closing door.

"The passenger yelled, then came to the front where Gregory was driving and said to him, 'Didn't you see that the door slammed on my foot when I was getting on?' When Gregory said passengers are expected to get on at the front door of the bus, the passenger berated him and then punched him in the face several times."


RTA driver's union president miffed after another driver is assaulted by a passenger Thursday | cleveland.com

This is getting out of hand and something needs to be done immediately by the RTA to protect drivers.

[bjimmy24]

Bus drivers need to be in an enclosed area like they are on the rapid.