Metro passengers continue to fear for their safety after three people, two of whom were drivers, were violently attacked on buses since Saturday.
The latest attack took place in Santa Monica, near Fifth Street and Colorado Avenue. A man kicked in the door of the bus and attacked the driver. However, the worst attack occurred Saturday evening when a Metro bus driver was beaten and stabbed in Willowbrook. The suspect has not been caught.
The third involved two passengers whose argument turned into a fight that led to one of them stabbing the other.
“On the bus it’s a little bit inconsistent,” said driver Troy Dalmasso. “I try to sit with my back against the wall, you never really know what’s coming.
Passengers aren’t the only ones worried. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, president of Metro, detailed Metro’s response to the attack on the Willowbrook bus driver.
“The attack on a Metro bus operator is horrific and will not be tolerated,” Bass said. “Metro has increased the presence of transit security officers as part of its broader safety strategy.”
Supervisor Janice Hahn also stated that the transportation agency will install better protections for drivers.
“I am shocked by the violence inflicted on this bus driver,” she said. “I want bus drivers to know that Metro will be installing safer barricades on buses in the coming months.”
Metro leaders also said they are examining the 10 routes with the most problems.
“We’re looking at our top 10 lines where we have the highest amount of issues, but we’re also doing de-escalation training,” said Interim Deputy Chief Robert Gummer.
Metro said despite the high-profile cases, crime is down 18% year on year.
