Austin Bus Driver Assaulted by Passenger During Early Morning Shift

Austin Bus Driver Assaulted by Passenger in Disturbing Incident

AUSTIN, Texas – A CapMetro bus driver has bravely come forward to share her shocking experience after being assaulted and robbed on her usual route in East Austin. The incident occurred early Monday morning, around 6 a.m., while bus operator Latonya Jackson was going about her daily shift. Jackson explains that a passenger hopped on board but refused to pay the required bus fare, leading to a dangerous confrontation.

The Encounter

Jackson recalls the moment when the troublesome passenger boarded the bus. “It was a tax ticket inside that fare box, so I’m assuming he thought the fare box was broken or whatever because he had his ticket out and walked past,” she said. When Jackson asked the man to swipe his ticket, he erupted with hostility. “He just started screaming and yelling,” she added. Concerned for her safety, Jackson quickly reached for her phone to call for help, intending to describe the alarming situation to dispatch.

Escalation of Violence

As she was on the phone, the passenger began to approach her threateningly. “Oh, you are going to call the white man on me, call the police. I don’t have nothing to lose,” Jackson quoted the man, indicating the hostility was rising. The situation took a turn for the worse when the man attempted to break into the driver’s secure area of the bus.

“He was trying to pull that door off from the hinges and was threatening, ‘I will take everything from you,’” Jackson said. In a brazen act, the passenger reached over, snatched Jackson’s personal belongings, and also stole fare money from another passenger waiting to board. “He took all my debit cards and my identification, and he took maybe $2 or $3 from the other passenger,” Jackson explained.

Physical Confrontation

The severity of the situation escalated further when the man physically attacked Jackson. “I just kept my eye on him, and it happened so fast. I saw him pull his arm back like he was going to swing at me, and that’s exactly what he did,” she recounted. Fortunately, the commotion caught the attention of other passengers on board. A group of them bravely intervened and restrained the attacker until police arrived.

Aftermath and Legal Action

The police swiftly apprehended the assailant, later identified as Kennedy Asante. Reports indicate that during his arrest, Asante attempted to take an officer’s firearm but was unsuccessful. He has since been charged with Robbery by Assault and booked into the Travis County Jail. This incident highlights the need for increased safety measures on public transportation.

Union Response and Call for Action

Brent Payne, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, expressed concern over the growing trend of assaults against bus operators in the area. “We need to bring awareness to the elevated level of assaults on operators in Austin,” he stated, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety protocols.

Jackson’s Reflection

After experiencing such a frightening event, Jackson urged that more needs to be done to protect both drivers and passengers alike. “I always hear about stuff that goes on with people, but now I really see it; it can happen to anybody,” she reflected. This unfortunate incident serves as a grave reminder of the potential dangers that public transport workers face, and it calls for increased awareness and preventive measures for riders and staff.

The launch of a dedicated transit police department by CapMetro this year aims to enhance safety measures for bus operators and the community as a whole. As public transportation remains a vital resource for many, the focus on safety for both riders and drivers is more crucial than ever.